This was an experimental piece. The wood is beech and it was freshly cut and kept wrapped in the fridge between sessions to keep the moisture content high. So it was easy to carve. Files and wet and dry papers were used to complete the shape and finish. It was then brushed with cold tea to raise the grain and increase the tannins in the wood. A solution of white vinegar, in which wire wool had been soaking for a few days, was finally brushed on. This generated the reaction and turned the wood dark brown. The spoon was then rubbed back with wire wool and finished with Walnut oil. The wire wool tended to lighten the top surfaces allowing the inside edges to retain more colour – which gives the appearance of age.
Here is the result.
Here are some other ‘distressed’ spoons, using fire and stains.
