Auction's over! Thanks AnaMaria!

(click image for bigger than life detail)

So I made this first ever Bocote Jimbo hook while playing hookey (heh) from painting the house. I dropped by one of my woodworking hangouts the other day and saw this really striking grain chunk that seemed to have Crochet Hook written all over it. So i bought it, took it home and you see what evolved. Amazing grain eh? The I's have it. That's right, its an I on the Bates size gauge. See the thumbrest on the bottom side? Six and a half inches of amazingly beautiful wood.
Now I knew about Bocote, but frankly, didn't give it much thought because well I'm not sure why. Could be because it's abit pricey and I'm "frugle"? No, I'm not really sure. Maybe it was because it looks like it might be splintery. Well it isn't. FAR from it. It works VERY well. Its VERY hard.... not as hard as Ebony, but harder than Hickory (and Hickory is HARD). And it has a really strikingly beautiful grain. Nice to have Mom Nature do the artwork.
Bocote is grown south of the border, down Mexico way, but I really wisht it grew up on the crick.
So what do we do with such a hook? Hmmm. I certainly don't want to detract from my FARA fundraising goals.
Tell you what. I'll donate half of the winning bid to FARA, and to sweeten the pot even more, I'll throw two chophooks into the box for the high bidder. So when you think about bidding, think FARA too, and how you'll not be getting a beautiful hook, and helping with Jimbo's porch fund, but you'll be helping researchers find a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia!! How's that?

So the details. Lets make this a little quicker auction since there's only one hook on the block. How about closing on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 10pm Pacific Std Time?

Please send bids (with $5.00 minimum raises) to me at:

jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Oh...and to complicate things (sorry) I'll be heading to the crick to pick huckleberries, watch the Grandbabies play, and maybe stack some rocks today and won't be back till Monday. I'll post any bids that come in between now and when I leave but after that, we'll have to wait to see what's in the email when I get back and post then.

Thanks again for dropping by!

Oh and bytheway... I had a request for permission to use the "average" sunset photo in the post below this one. I really appreciate folks asking and am very happy to say yes to those who do (for personal not for reprint use that is). It's really great to see respect for copyrights.

Bids:

AnaMaria starts with a generous $50

Another average sunset at the Jimbo house (in Spokane!)

(click on images to fill your screen with our "average" sunset)

A few years back we had a real estate appraisal and the appraiser marked "average sunsets" on the features part of the property description. Average eh? Makes you wonder what spectacular would look like.

This one was so "average" I just had to take a picture and share.

Hope your sunsets are at least as "average".

Jimbo

Spread the word CHOPHOOKS are BACK

(update: Got several orders! THANK you ALL!! I'll be sending out the ordered hooks tomorrow. But I have plenty more chophooks made,so don't be shy!)



I've been neglecting my commitment to raise funds for Friedreich's Ataxia Research. And I feel really bad about that, especially when so many others are doing so much more. So rather than wallow in self abuse, I'll bring back Chophooks and donate 100% of the income to FA research. That's right... every penny generated by your chophook order will be donated to Freidreich's Ataxia Research and maybe just maybe it'll be YOUR donation that puts them over the top in their struggle to find a treatment or cure. This is one that the researchers are excited about, because this is one they can get... they just need the resources.

FARA is a VERY worthy cause. Want to know more? Go to:

montekids.org

Now here's the deal. I'm taking orders for chophooks. Price? AT LEAST $10.00. I say "AT LEAST" because it'd be very nice to get more... more $$$, more research, more research, the quicker the cure.

About the hooks. These beauties are made from bamboo chopsticks. No they're not used, but new chopsticks that I buy in bulk. They're carefully transformed into VERY workable crochet hooks. So its not just a token thing we're talkin'bout.. you're not just buying a pretty hook to look at. These are the real thing and they crochet some NICE stuff. In fact, one of these chophooks made freeform art sculpture that's been in traveling exhibits throughout Europe and the US! Size? Well my rough calculations (they're rectangular in cross section, you know) is that they're about a K (6.5mm).

So just in time for your next Random Act of Kindness, Christmas, Birthday, Halloween, Anniversary, whatever... NOW is the time to order. And you can do that simply by clicking on the "make a donation" button for a paypal payment. Be SURE to put FARA as your middle name, or somewhere in the paypal info so I know that the incoming $$ is to go to FARA. Or if paypal won't let you do that, PLEASE email me and let me know about your donation. You can also send checks or money orders or even very well concealed cash if that's how you roll. Just email me at:

jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

I'll take care of shipping. Order as many as you'd like. You'll not just be getting a decent crochet hook, you'll be helping find a treatment or cure for a HUGELY underfunded but DEVASTATING condition that NO kid should ever have to face.

Thanks all, for helping out!!

Jimbo

KAROL'S FIRST CROCHET PROJECT (and a couple hooks to add to the auction)

(the two hooks shown are being added to the auction going on in the post directly below this one... read about these beauties down there)

I'm so proud I could pop!! What amazing work, eh?! Karol did this little purse for our granddaughter Chloe, for her 4th birthday (which is today by the way). And you know what?!! She made it with a hook that was made (with just a wee and i mean wee bit of help from his daddy and me) by my grandson Clinton (9). How special is that!!!? I'm talkin heirloom here. You should have been there. Karol has this cute way of sticking the tip of her tongue out when she's concentrating, and even when I tease her (I know i shouldn't but hay can i help it?) she'll try to stop out of spite but to no avail. She's soon back to frowning concentration and the tongue pops back out to kibitz. What a prize she is.

The purse was made from a pattern in Annie's Attic "I Can Crochet" lesson 6, "Purse With Slip Stitch Strap". Purty dang nifty huh.

Karol started the project up on the Ranch with coaching by our guest and forever friend Mickey Kester. Mickey and her husband Jim, and I all went to grade school and high school together (our 45th graduation reunion is this fall). Jim's an ultra fine woodworker (twer I half as good as he) and a true lifelong friend. Mickey and I have been friends even longer than Jim and I... we went to two grade schools together, first in Northport; then in Colville and all the way through graduation. Mickey's an accomplished crochetier (and a great coach, wouldn't you say?).

Auction is over!!! One from the Crick, One from Laos; and two from above, up for bids

Thanks to all bidders! High bidders please consider using the "make a donation" button here in the left margin for using paypal, or contact me for other payment arrangements. Thanks!!!



(you just gotta click on these images to BEGIN to see what we're talkinbout)

I'd planned to make lots more hooks this past week, while up at the ranch, but time kinda got in the way with other projects. But I did make one, and I think it turned out to be a doozie. Its made from a bit of weathered applewood or at least I think so since I found the stick in the area of the famous old Deadman Crick apple tree. At first I wondered if the wood was ok to use, but quickly found out that it's solid. There's ALL kinds of things going on with this hook. Varied colors, from partially blued wood to reddish bark to grayed knots..and little bug paths... you can spend lots of time just turning it around and seeing what's there, and its all pretty; with plenty of mother natures paint brush strokes showing.
The hook is a 10mm (an N) and I carved finger and thumb rests on both sides. Its about 17cm (6 3/4 inches)long. Lets call it the hook of many colors.


The next hook is made of Mun Ebony. A friend at a local woodworker's store told me this would be an interesting hook wood. My friend made a serious understatement. The black you expect in ebony is there. This is an exception because lots of this kind of wood is green, where this one's black. This wood is harvested from fallen logs.. and the older ones (some they say has lain for 100 years) must blacken with age. But as they say on TV, "But wait, there's more!" Layered in all that ink black are really beautiful ribbons of caromel colored wood. All that laying around on the forest floor in Laos hasn't caused the stuff to go punky. To the contrary, the wood is VERY hard, like you'd expect ebony to be, but VERY pretty, with lots of grain character showing. So much so that I just had to take two pictures to give you more of an idea. Still the camera doesn't do it justice. Its just plain incredible, and well it should be.. it took at least twice the normal hook making time to shape this one. And because its such tough, hard wood, I dared to take it down to an F sizewise (4mm). Its a little longish (7 3/8 inches or 18.5mm), but worth the length in woodgrain beauty. I carved a thumbrest on the hook side and the "universal" grip otherwise.
Lets call this on Ebony and Ivory.

Now a couple late comers, from the post above this one; about Karol's first crochet project. Complicated eh? Well I have faith in you. You'll figure it out.

So ok. the top hook in the post above this one, is from genuine Deadman Crick Tamarack. Ever see my pictures taken in the fall (you can find some, I'm sure, in the archives) where the Tamaracks have turned brilliant yellow? That's just one gift tamaracks offer. You know I have to say that Tamarack is my most favorite wood. I know its not as hard as lots of other hardwoods but if it were, I'd be hard pressed to use any other wood for hooks. But its just a gift to work with. Its the best firewood to warm your home... it snaps and crackles like a fire should. Its about the best construction wood you can use. Its light, and its beautiful. AND it gtows on the Ranch. What more can a feller ask for.
This one is a P (16mm) and 7 1/2 inches (19cm) long, but you won't believe how light it feels. I don't make small tamarack hooks because the wood's a bit too soft to hold up... but for big hooks.... oh my! So we'll call this one the Tamarack P.

Next up in from the post above is a hook made from YEW!!! John, my niece Barb's boyfriend heard that I make hooks and generously gave me several chunks of DROP DEAD BEAUTIFUL Pacific Yew. Now Yew, as you may know, was the plant that helped so many folks conquor cancer by it's bark which contains taxol, a cancer treatment substance. Yew was also the choice of Robin Hook for his long bows. And here you thought Robin Hood was a fictitious character! Well Yew sure isn't. And it makes VERY nice crochet hooks. A bit harder than the tamarack, but still not approaching the hardest woods, Yew makes good mid to large hooks. This one's a K and a real beauty at 7 1/4 inches long (18.3cm). We'll call this one, cleverly, the K Yew.
Lets run this auction till Wednesday, July 22; 10pm Pacific Standard Time.

Again, lets also have bid increases of at least $5.00 for fairness to late bidders from far away time zones. AND you can send your bids via email to me at:

jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Thanks for your patience... I know the hooks are coming slow but all those other chores well they just don't do themselves.

Happy bidding!
Jimbo

Bids:

Hook of many colors:
Vanessa bids $15
Tracey bumps it up to $25
AnaMaria $30
Debora goes to $40



Ebony and Ivory:
Sherri starts the bidding with $20
Tracey takes it to $25
Its up to $35 with Shannon's bid
Tracey comes back with $40
Bonnie goes to $45
Tracey bumps it up to $50
Claire with a big bump to $65
Tracey comes back with $70!
Holey COW!! Claire says $80!!

Tamarack P:
Sherri feels sorry for the lonely P... $5
AnaMaria $15

K Yew:
Shannon and Jane tie for $15
Alice breaks the tie with $20

Fireworks were a little subdued this year....

(click on the photo to see what the Kidos are up to)

and see what's been happening to those ugly concrete piers... lots of work but worth the effort I think..




heh

The Kidos were SO good at breakfast on the 4th, that I decided to let them have a special 4th of July treat, just from PAPA. Can you see what they're doing? Popping bubble wrap! See? You eat all your breakfast and great things can happen!
Later, when it got dark, they got to watch the ones their daddy had to light and run from; ah but what a letdown after all that bubblewrap fun, eh?

Hope YOU all had a great 4th too!!

Next up. HOOK AUCION!!!

Jimbo

Goin up to the Crick for a little vacation! Back on the 11th with....

A shot of the Kidos playing in the crick.... more of that coming this weekend! LOVE IT!!


We get to spend a whole WEEK up on the crick!! Needless to say, I'm taking along my hook whittling tools, so when we get back..... there'll be a few hand carved crick hooks up for bids!!

Everyone have a safe and happy 4th!!

MORE, MUCH MORE in a week or so.

Thanks for staying tuned in!
Jimbo