Petroglyphs and Crop Circles Staff

Some of my favorite subjects to work with are ancient petroglyphs and cave art. Though I will say some of the small curves and circles were a bit challenging. For this large 68” tall sumac staff I took ancient rock carvings and paintings from around the world and burned them along its length. Most of the glyphs are from various ancient cultures from the vastness of North America. I’ve also included a few crop circles since they fit the overall aesthetic and carry the same enigmatic aura as ancient cave art. While anthropologists may have discerned the meaning of some symbols, most remain a mystery shrouded in time. I also embedded a deep blue-green stone in one of the natural knots of the wood. Then after allowing the wood burning and stone to set I coated the the piece in several layers of boiled linseed oil for protection from the elements.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts

Astrological Symbols and Zodiac Staff

While I enjoyed working with these symbols that I had not previously worked with, it’s frustrating to use a handheld wood burner to do so many tiny circles.

This staff illustrates the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. Also depicted are the numerous astrological symbols including those of the planets and Zodiac itself wood burned along the entire length of the 68” staff. The piece is made from beautiful sumac wood which is both lightweight and sturdy and given a coat of boiled linseed oil to protect it from the elements.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts

Viking Serpent and Vines Staff

I had a lot of fun creating this piece. It combines two motifs I’ve very much enjoyed doing in the past, namely the Viking Serpent and vines, both coiling around the length of the staff. Serpents are found in mythologies from around the world and often symbolized rebirth, renewal, and knowledge, whereas vines represent a return to nature. The natural winding curvature of the wood itself enhances the overall design. It’s made of sumac wood, stands at 57.5 inches, and has multiple coats of sealant and boiled linseed oil.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts

Second Star Trek Hiking Stick

Just a fun fan art piece for Star Trek. I wasn’t sure what to make with this piece since it’s relatively thin thus making it harder to display something with any detail, but eventually I landed on a Star Trek combadge and colored bands representing the different areas of expertise onboard a starship. The iconic words “To Boldly Go” are also wood burned onto the side. It’s made of sumac wood, stands at 57 inches, and has a coat of sealant to protect the ink and a coating of boiled linseed oil to protect the wood.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts

Hobbit Hiking Stick

I just wanted to make simple, minimalist hiking stick perfect for a walk in the woods. Nothing complicated, or requiring the spray sealant, just natural wood along with an aesthetic and subject matter I find personally appealing. It’s made from a lightweight, sturdy piece of sumac wood standing at 50.5” and has the famous phrase from Tolkien “Not all who wander are lost” burned into the side along with a recreation of the Elven leaf clasp from The Fellowship of the Ring. The well proportioned staff was entirely hand crafted from sanding to burning. The wood itself is also coated with a varnish of boiled linseed oil to protect the wood from the elements.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstrolabeArts

https://www.facebook.com/AstrolabeArts