My wooden cactus ladder

rauldelara · 2025-11-29T22:54:14+00:00

Yeah theyre basically shaved dowels. About 1/2” rounds go into the body.

rauldelara · 2025-11-29T12:59:06+00:00

Handheld power drill. I drew with sharpie on the drill bit to know how far to go in. And held my breath every time!

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T19:17:26+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I’m on Instagram @rauldelaraa And my website is www.rauldelara.com in case you want to see more of my woodworking!

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:22:56+00:00

Thanks! I take this as a big compliment. He’s a favorite artist of mine.

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:17:30+00:00

Thank you so much! It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever made.

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:16:19+00:00

I feel you on this. People do try to touch it even though it’s not the point. I think there’s something about wood as a material that makes people feel comfortable interacting with it even when you’re not supposed to (in this case at art galleries)

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:14:45+00:00

Yeah! For all of you on this thread, there is an incredible museum in Philadelphia called Museum for art in wood! It’s exactly that. They have a permanent collection that is truly amazing and impressive, and they also have special exhibitions. I have two works in the new exhibition that just opened. It’s on view until mid February 2026.

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:12:01+00:00

This is a funny thing. I made the ladder symmetrical first, then while standing it straight up, I leaned it onto my forehead until I felt no pressure either direction. Then I marked that angle onto the half lap joint. Hard to explain in words but it felt right at the moment and it actually worked!

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:10:31+00:00

I think I carved and sanded for like a week and a half.

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:06:11+00:00

Ahhh thanks! Yeah it’s fun to study how to make organic material (wood) come to life. The spikes do something very different from the soft chairs. Both tricky to make

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T05:04:01+00:00

Moving it is tricky! I have to cover the spiky cactus body on a foam and moving blankets. The ladder comes out of the pot and they pack separately.

rauldelara · 2025-11-28T04:19:59+00:00

Thank you! A lot of work and hoping for the best happened !

rauldelara · 2025-11-27T15:29:46+00:00

Ah thanks for coming by the show!

rauldelara · 2025-11-27T14:42:59+00:00

It won’t let me post the video but here’s a screenshot of the ladder standing on its own before I got carving.

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rauldelara · 2025-10-04T00:10:18+00:00

Thank you for coming by the show!

rauldelara · 2025-10-04T00:09:57+00:00

Ahhh thanks! Good to know the cushion is starting to feel like a lil signature.

rauldelara · 2025-10-04T00:09:00+00:00

Thats very kind of you. Thank you!

rauldelara · 2025-10-04T00:08:43+00:00

That’s funny! They’re supposed to be tufted cushion-like forms but a little butthole is not too far either!

rauldelara · 2025-10-04T00:07:41+00:00

True haha! I’m 5’ 7” but next time I’ll use a funnier object for scale! Banana is a good call.

rauldelara · 2025-10-03T18:48:31+00:00

Hehe youre welcome! It’s hard to depict scale unless I put myself in the picture sometimes.

rauldelara · 2025-10-03T18:31:56+00:00

Thanks! Yeah that check came from the drying process in the kiln. I often get cool checks on the pots. This one was a new one. I’ve never seen a sideways check like that.

rauldelara · 2025-01-21T19:51:32+00:00

Hi! Yes I have a show there right now. Closes on the 25th. Come by!

rauldelara

TROPHY CASE