Wooden it be lovely

Hello and welcome back.

Good news…the colour film from the Jesser wedding is fine. No fogging issues…what a relief!

On the subject of weddings…when Mark first told me he was planning to get hitched (he gave me plenty of notice so I could organise flights etc.) I started to think about a present. I had been making keepsake boxes and the like…but I wanted to do something different…stretch myself a bit.

I definitely wanted to make something…it’s just more personal. Then out of nowhere it hit me…a camera. I would make him a camera. Not a working one. A scale replica. Made with beautiful Tasmanian timbers…Blackwood, Huon Pine, Sassafras and good old Tassie Oak.

I went to my collection of film cameras to find an appropriate subject and settled upon the twin lens reflex Yashica mat 124.

So, after lots of measuring, planning, head-scratching and doubting if I could make it happen. I got started.

There were lots of little components to make…dials, knobs, handles, lens rings…things I had never made before. There were lots of circular things that had to be made by hand (I don’t have a lathe) …lots of sanding.

I really enjoyed the challenge and think I have created something quite beautiful.

Do you agree?

Oh…and I couldn’t make something like this and not include a secret drawer :)

Because I enjoyed the process so much, I decided to go again. This one is modelled on my Bronica SQA…the very camera I used to photograph the wedding.

I’m really enjoying spending time in the shed being creative.

I’ve recently completed a larger commissioned piece…but I can’t share that with you just yet. And a keepsake box made from a piece of Huon pine railway sleeper salvaged from Strahan.

But, I think I’ll wait ‘til the next instalment before sharing the pics.

Let me know what you think.

Catch you next time. Cheers!