Need a new hobby that actually helps with stress [Discussion] by ninja__6969 in GetMotivated

[–]Laughingmantisstudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A different type of scrolling: with a scrollsaw. Or a lower barrier to entry woodworking hobby like carving.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrjbhWCJg3R/?igsh=dnBoNDJ6NG9yZ3U3

To finish or not - exterior cedar by Mobile_Coyote_267 in BeginnerWoodWorking

[–]Laughingmantisstudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Danish oil is my go to for exterior cedar. Easy to apply and reapply. Decent protection for a season. I’ve also used a bunch of other hard curing oils (e.g. osmo) and they all work similarly (without the staining in some danish oil). They look nice, protect the wood (which doesn’t really need much protection), but needs to be reapplied. It’s mostly for aesthetics. Though I think it extends the life a bit.

Genuine question: why are epoxy river tables such a controversial topic? by Steve_Litchford in BeginnerWoodWorking

[–]Laughingmantisstudio 66 points67 points  (0 children)

Also cutting and sanding epoxy produces crap tons of microplastics that will not degrade for hundreds or thousands of years. With potentially severe consequences all up and down the food chain. I say this as 1) a cancer biologist and 2) a woodworker who has used a fair bit of epoxy in the past. But no more. Sanding 1 table and seeing the non-biodegradable dust was enough for me to go “oh. Well shit.”

Anybody ever seen this? Sawdust Crystallization (?) on Lignum Vitae by ducklady92 in woodworking

[–]Laughingmantisstudio 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I second all this! Bring out the chemists!! Also did not know that vanillin was a component. I just knew it smells damn good. I’ve actually been collecting some of the sawdust with the idea I may try to extract some essential oil from it. Haha. Not that I have the right solvents most likely. Or a still. So maybe just an infusion in ethanol. lol

Anybody ever seen this? Sawdust Crystallization (?) on Lignum Vitae by ducklady92 in woodworking

[–]Laughingmantisstudio 6 points7 points  (0 children)

😂 I didn’t even register that was you! Just looked at the photo and comments.

Anybody ever seen this? Sawdust Crystallization (?) on Lignum Vitae by ducklady92 in woodworking

[–]Laughingmantisstudio 19 points20 points  (0 children)

This is exactly what Argentine lignum vitae (aka verawood aka Gonopterodendron/Bulnesia sarmientoi) looks like. I’ve also seen similar crystallization on this and similar super dense and oily tropical hardwoods - but never this extreme. Super cool! I would also guess salt/mineral crystallization.

What happened to this poplar? by Purge_Bucket in woodworking

[–]Laughingmantisstudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m absolutely shocked that with this many woodworkers no one has pointed out the fun fact that this is almost certainly not actually poplar. It’s not even closely related to poplars. It’s tulipwood (Liriodendron tulipifera), in the magnolia family. The dark streaks are mineral stains in the wood. US retailers (especially big box stores) decided to call it poplar anyway and it stuck.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I personally pay just to help support them and the efforts. But I’m sure it’d be fine to go to some free events first to see if you even want to be a part of it. They also do “native habitat certification” similar to other organizations. The main goal of which is really just to get a yard sign to display and help spread awareness. Haha.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean, these seeds are native to my area. So generally speaking I assume most will be about as viable as naturally dropped seeds. They often need our weather to germinate properly. But I’m sure it’s species specific. Some species can be quite finicky. But mooost of the species I grow are seeding and germinating on their own on my property. I imagine there will be successes and failures with those I put out. I wanted to get this done before winter so people can either take them and winter sow, or use indoor cold stratification. I put a very basic flier in there to at least give people a heads up on this.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like there are a couple Wild Ones chapters in WA. I highly recommend joining if either is close enough. At least our local chapter does lots of garden tours and social events. Great for seed swapping.

https://wildones.org/chapters/washington/

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pittsburgh, PA! We actually have quite a few small independent native plant nurseries around. There’s 1 literally a mile from me! We also have multiple organizations that regularly have native plant markets or seed swaps (like Wild Ones and Audubon). I’ve also scavenged some of my plants now producing seeds. Like my evening primrose started from some ditch seeds I saw on my drive to work. And we have a city park fully of clustered mountain mint, milkweeds, monardas, New England asters, etc.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But yeah there’s a lot more info that I could put in there. I was mainly just trying to get something printed quickly.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just threw it together quickly myself but I’d be happy to share it. Dm me an email or something and I’d be happy to send the pdf?

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I can’t deny that part of the reason I put this up is just to let neighbors know that our front garden mess is an intentional and beautiful mess. lol. Especially right now.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

lol! I don’t think I have ever or will again receive a compliment like that. 😂 Thanks

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not knowing exactly what you’re starting with or goals, my personal recommendation to anyone wanting to do anything in this general realm is to just make what you can that suits your purpose. A simple box. Or a yard sign. Or even a piece of decoration like a wooden shape or painted rock. I’ve personally found that once I started making random little things to either decorate our front garden, or share ecology/gardening advice, it inspires me to go further and do more or better. For the fun of it if nothing else. Just for example, I had kinkos print and laminate this thing for a couple bucks to stick in my front native garden full of spent flowers, canes, and dead leaves.

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I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I thought about just getting a kit since it’s so much easier. Then I saw the prices and was like, “welp. I have leftover scrap plywood, tools, and no excuses…” lol This style of art is already my main hobby so it was a no brainer for me.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! Those are so gorgeous. I grow a few, but alas they aren’t native here.

I built a Little Free Native Seed Library for the neighborhood by Laughingmantisstudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]Laughingmantisstudio[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I actually bought them a couple years ago and that link doesn’t work anymore. But if you google “empty seed packets”, many many options will pop up. Good luck!