Orange Zodiac

[Edgar]

My granddaughter & I planted some orange seeds in little pots about 10 years ago. I transplanted the seedlings to our garden area the next year. They've grown nicely, but whenever we have a hard freeze like last winter, they die back to the roots. So far, two of them keep coming back.

I trimmed off the dead wood the other day & noticed signs of spalting where I cut the limbs, so I saved a piece about 8" long & 1" in diameter to see what might be inside that stick.

I turned this one today & put it on a Zodiac pen kit. The spalting pattern kinda looks like an owl.

I didn't stabilize this wood - just turned it close to size, sanded with 220-400 grit, burnished with shavings, applied a little teak oil to enhance the color of the wood, sanding sealer, friction polish, & carnauba wax.

It's my new favorite pen - for several reasons.

 

[egnald]

Gorgeous pen and really cool story - Dave

 

[wolf creek knives]

Very nice and unique. Nice work.

 

[derekdd]

How about that?

What a cool story for that pen. Turned out lovely.

 

[Hippie3180]

Very interesting grain and the kit seems perfect for it.

 

[Wmcullen]

Pens are fun. Pens with stories are precious.

 

[sorcerertd]

Wow, that's a beautiful piece of wood. It's amazing how "exotic" a look you can get from plain domestic wood after Mother Nature works her magic on it.

 

[ruste84]

That's incredible! Super cool that the wood has the story with it too!

 

[Woodchipper]

Good to hear the story behind a beautiful piece of wood. My complements on the grain, too.