Completed Patio and Ornament Tree

We now have a couple of projects under our belt, well almost. Still have a bit of cleanup to do along the edges of the patio but here it is finished.

Gary finished the patio while I was working at ArtWorks on Monday. He didn't remember I wanted to add some pottery shards to the mortar so it will have to be as it is. I plan to make a totem as an accent near the door.

Here's my diy ornament tree. The cost was really under ten dollars since I had the base plywood. (Plywood from my lavender farm sign in California). For the holes drilled for the dowels we used a 27/64 drill bit and honed it out just a little and then hammered in the dowels with a rubber mallet which makes the dowels fit snugly. The half inch drill bit recommended by the site is really too large.

I also made the base 16 inches instead of 8 inches. We added additional supports around the base to make it more secure; that way we could add additional screws from the topside down rather than rely on one screw holding the base to the center. I still have to paint the tree but wanted to let you know about the drill bit and base sizes in case you decide to make the tree. I'll also use a cloth around the base to spruce it up. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

DIY Ornament Display Tree

source

While I'm waiting for the kiln to cool I've been trying to think of a display for my ornaments. I googled wood xmas tree display and look what I found. For less than $10 I can build the tree above. Click on the source to be directed to the site and instruction on how to make it.

Update, see this post for details on drilling for the dowels.

Usually I put my ceramic ornaments in a basket with a sign for their cost. I think this wood tree display would give some nice height to my table display. Perhaps the base can be weighted to keep it from tipping over in a wind. Any ideas for that? I made these ornaments in Florida and they're long gone.

Meanwhile I tried sanding one of the plates with the cobalt on it and it came off. Yippee, thanks for all of your advice. Now I'll try sanding the bowls and see if I can get the cobalt off of those. I am so anxious to open this kiln because the rooster bank and the cat sculpture and the dog and rooster jars are in this load. I decided to glaze the heads on the jar lids; we shall see if it works. Stay tuned for finished work. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.