It has been quite a while since I have posted on my woodworking site. You see, my main life & occupation revolve around the world of magic and magicians. You’ll learn more about this when you continue reading below, but for those of you interested in learning about the products I create and my background in the magical arts, please visit my magic website at nnmagic.com.
This website you’re currently viewing, iWorkWithWood.com, showcases my wood products & my personal passion for woodworking. It is the portfolio of the work I do in wood. Because this is so different from magic, I decided to keep it neatly in its own site. My webmaster, though, told me: “To promote it, you have to write more in your blog.” So… What do I write about?
| The biggest event in the last few months other than the pandemic, was that Norm – my husband and best friend – passed away on April 21, 2020. He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease which was diagnosed five years ago. It has taken me several months to be at peace with his departure. I will miss him for the rest of my days on this earth. He was probably one of the purest souls I have met in my life’s journey. The world is diminished with his absence. This absence has created a void in my being. I currently feel that I have completed my life’s purpose, which was to help and care for him. So I am now attempting to restart this woodworking blog along with the rest of my life. |  |
There is the popular expression: “The cobbler’s children have no shoes…”
Can you believe in the last few years, I have been the one who people commission to make wooden urns? It is a great honor to do so: To be asked to handcraft the final resting place for the remains of a loved one.
A couple years ago, the wife of a dear friend passed away at a young age. She was merely 49 years old. He asked me to make an urn for her. I did know that she was a former dancer, and had a fabulous sense of humor. I happened to have a piece of lacewood, and thought that the wood (which does have a lace-like pattern on its surface) would look beautiful and feminine for her last resting place. The top of the lid floated on the box, and it was made out of maple, which was laser engraved with her likeness.
Last year, two famous magicians passed away. In both cases, I was also asked to make their urns.
One of them was Johnny Thompson, who was legendary in the magic field. He was a a consummate performer, and was the magic consultant for major magic stars and for movies and television. His signature act was a comedy act which involved doves and the presence of his wife Pam, who was hilarious and chewed gum through his performance. My choice of wood was a sturdy American wood: Walnut. Because walnut is so dark, a good design choice was to inlay a few magic doves on the material made out of mother of pearl. As an added touch, I crafted two pieces of gum out of epoxy putty, which were attached to the bottom of the box (as a little joke for the those who knew the act). Again, the top panel floated, and was made out of maple, which is an excellent material for engraving.
Gary Darwin also passed away. For him, who was a mischievous joke teller and whose life involved the collection of props and magic, the urn was a magic trick in itself. The design choice for him: A “Drawer Box” urn. The Drawer Box is a classic magic trick invented in the 19th century. It consists of a box with a “secret compartment” that allows objects inserted in them appear, disappear or change form. It would be the perfect resting place for him. The chosen woods were cherry and maple.
How easy, and simple the choices have been when I created the urns for my friends. However, the design choice for Norm’s wooden urn has not been that easy, and has been eluding me.
His signature act involved a Floating Violin. Several people have suggested: “Make it in the shape of a violin case.” Nice idea, but too cliché for my taste. Norm was more subtle, and the success of his act and style was based on the elimination of the superfluous. He distilled his magic to simple elegance. I want this to be special, and therefore, “the cobbler’s children have no shoes…”
One of the positives about this is that I still have one year to think about it. And with the pandemic, there is no opportunity for a proper memorial or burial. We will wait until next year, on the first year anniversary of his passing, to honor his memory which gives me some time to think about the creating the perfect wood urn for Norm that will showcase everything that made him so special to me and the magic community.
Somehow, as I write this and transmit it to the ether in cyberspace, I trust and have faith that the muses will hit me with inspiration in the head, suddenly, with a 2×4 plank of wood. Lol!
Stay well, friends.
-Lupe Nielsen
(June 28, 2020)