The Making

 

Branches from a Monkey Pod tree (Acacia, Rain Tree) are generally cut between one to two meters in length and delivered to the carving facility. Monkey Pod has greater then 50% Moisture Content (MC) when first cut

Occasionally a tree is cut and used. Large one piece carvings are made or alternately one piece table tops. This is generally not done as the tree rejuvenates fast after branches only are cut at about 1 to 2 inches a year in diameter.

The wood is then rough cut by chain saw into the shape of the product that will be made from this batch of wood. Scrap is used for small carvings and heating homes in the cool season

It takes skill and time to rough carve a shape like the Original Twist Stool leaving enough material for the finish carvers to make consistent shapes - This is done while the wood is still wet

This is a roughed out Original Twist Stool by the chain saw operator. The wood is still very wet and will shrink and crack by a large percentage

These are roughed out CUBE 18 body's - the most dangerous work is the inside. The wood is still wet and the blades of the chain saw can jam easily if care is not used during carving

Finish carvers have generations of experience behind them and work by the feel of the wood. Carving is not a full time factory job. It is generally a family affair involving family and close village friends. Being an agricultural society carving can slow down, or stop, during the rainy season during rice planting. And again during harvest times for rice and fruit orchards

Carving is done to earn extra money while crops are growing and for enjoyment by native crafts people who are communally oriented. Other unexpected interruptions are weddings, funerals, Buddhist, and other religious holidays. Done in villages where everyone knows each other, celebrations and mourning's are a community affair that take precedence

A skilled carver just knows what tool to select based on how the wood feels and what they see as they are working

Tools are generally hand made and every carver has their own set they have created for the work they perform

Visiting a group of carvers is always interesting. You see the work you ordered, as well as some interesting new idea, a carver creates with odd pieces of wood. This can lead to new designs for the future

After carving the body, there are those that do the initial clean up work on the pieces, to blend in as much as possible so the design flows smoothly. Then we pick up, or they are delivered to us, so we can start the drying and finishing processes - see Our Quality