Can Cork Be Beautiful?

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Published 2023-12-08

Cork is impermeable, which means liquid cannot penetrate it. I should have known that unprocessed cork would present some challenges, but I was not prepared for just how soft the cork actually was. When the customer approached me with the idea of using Portuguese cork in a project I was hooked, but I had issues sourcing the right sized cork rounds and ended up with way more than I needed. It was fortuitous, though, because I decided to start over with an entirely new casting. In the first casting, the colors mixed and lost their vibrance before the resin cured. I also discovered that my conveniently sized bucket was far too large for the final shape that I had planned. So, I was much more strategic in the 2nd casting. I decided to cast the vase and the base separately. In the first casting I had planned to part off a chunk for the base, which had required more resin and thus more risk of thermal issues in the resin. I also let the mixed and pigmented resin sit for about 18-20 hours before pouring. Thankfully, my shop stayed at about 50-60 degrees F the whole time. The result was ideal, and you can clearly see the green and red swirling together without mixing. I also had issues with resin leakage for both of the castings, and I remembered the Flex Paste trick championed by the one and only Cam Anderson of ‪@BlacktailStudio‬ which, of course, worked like a charm! The sphere was also a first, as I got to try out a new toy--the sphere jig, which will hopefully make more appearances. But I think the cork will get shelved until I figure out how to stabilize it properly. You might notice that I threw everything at this project with multiple coats of CA glue and penetrating epoxy. I quickly discovered why cork is used as bottle stops... it doesn't absorb liquid. Shocker, I know... So that dampens my excitement about using it in future projects, and it also instills doubt on whether stabilization would actually work, but I'm sure someone has figured it out. Perhaps the keen-eyed also noticed that the lip of the vase was actually quite wavy, which was caused by sanding. The soft cork basically disappeared under the sand paper but the resin, being quite hard, maintained it's shape. I ultimately had to embrace the chaos and allow the cork to be what it wanted. There was also a time crunch, as this piece was commissioned as a gift for someone for whom Portugal holds special significance. The shape of this piece was the product of some research into Portuguese pottery designs in combination with some of my own pedestal vase ideas. The shape was also inspired by a viewer who commented on a prior video of mine, lamenting that no one ever makes pedestal vases.

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Thank you ‪@TotalBoat‬ for providing the epoxy used in this video:

TotalBoat Thickset Fathom Deep Pour Epoxy: www.totalboat.com/collections/epoxy-resins/product…
TotalBoat Tabletop Epoxy: www.totalboat.com/products/table-top-epoxy-crystal…
TotatBoat Clear UV Cure Resin: www.totalboat.com/collections/urethane-resins/prod…

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REFERRAL LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE:

Kutzall sphere rotary burr: amzn.to/3eQdWx6
Starbond Clear Thin CA glue: amzn.to/3z0sZdz
Starbond Clear Medium CA glue: amzn.to/3Bb6aqr
Starbond Clear Thick CA glue: amzn.to/3oqiXxE
Starbond Activator: amzn.to/3v9r8Ca
TotalBoat Penetrating Epoxy: amzn.to/3zr1MSH
TotalBoat Thickset Epoxy: amzn.to/3PtTkrw
TotalBoat Tabletop Epoxy: amzn.to/3oke5tQ
Carter & Son 5/8" Bowl Gouge: amzn.to/2G5YV5g
Crown Diamond Parting Tool: amzn.to/2NIqsOj
Tormek T-8 Sharpener: amzn.to/30D2iKA
Easy Wood Tools Carbide Cutter: amzn.to/3z6E6Db
Easy Wood Tools Carbide Cutter: amzn.to/3yH6JVN

All Comments (21)

@jude2360 6 months ago

Awestruck watching your video ❤ Speechless opening my box ❤ Tear struck, knowing it was created, especially for me❣️ Thank you, David ❣️ Thank you, 🩵 Hannes❣️
@clockworktri 6 months ago

As a reptile keeper, I saw all those cork rounds and was immediately jealous. The terrarium terrains I could build with that! My geckos would be royalty!
@jeffweese4551 6 months ago

My first reaction was, "Oh, that looks like cork! This should be entertaining... and interesting." My thoughts were right, and it was - always enjoy your videos, thanks for sharing.
@beverleydrew8069 6 months ago

That is STAGGERING!!! What on earth gave you the idea & did you envisage just how beautiful it would turn out😵‍💫 You are a fabulous artist! And the camera work was pretty impressive too.
@swagtech_ 3 days ago

I'm utterly captivated by the beauty and emotion in this video.
@marciak9826 6 months ago

Wow, that’s gorgeous! I’m sure your customer is thrilled with the piece!
@iliketocomment8144 6 months ago

That’s some next level artistry. Spider-Man’s web shooters got nothing on you with a carving tool.
@marq9955 6 months ago

Did I tell you that I am a 70 yr old quilter? I quilt w 90 yr olds that have done the same thing for the last CENTURY… soooo…I watch your channel bcz you think outside of the box providing inspiration for ME….here is my comment: 👍here is ME looking at you, KID! HOOORAY
@johneriksen5504 6 months ago

Many would stop at the first piece and a few more with the second part. You and your creativity always go the extra steps for a piece of art. Thanks!
@katg2192 2 months ago

"Can Cork Be Beautiful?" Given it's this channel, at 12 seconds into the vid I'm 100% sure that it will be beautiful. ❤
@MikeBob2023 6 months ago

I'm absolutely amazed by what you do and the beautiful things you create, but I'm just as amazed by all the tools that you use and how well you use them. Awesome video! Thank you!
@lisawheeler53 6 months ago

Persistence paid off! Way to work it until you get what you want. Hope the person who receives it truly enjoys it!
@roxannfischer8282 6 months ago

I wait and wait until one of your videos appears! I never leave the end of the video disappointed. You truly are gifted with the ability to see the beauty in all of your pieces. I watch many YouTubers and for some reason I always remember the thumbs up!! Great work….
@fredvelez1964 5 months ago

I'm always so delighted watching your videos, David. No matter what materials you work with, I can be sure it's going to be a beautiful work of art. Thank you so much for sharing with the rest of us the making of this absolutely gorgeous piece.
@Lynn.Lawson 6 months ago

You're half artist, half mad scientist. 😉 You take risks that in the end work out to become beautiful creations! 👏👏
@ezrahuckabee82 6 months ago

Well done! Beautiful as always! Loved seeing the first try included!
@Audie1234 6 months ago

❤❤Holy Freaking Cow! Lovely. So many intricate steps! You must have spent so much time and money creating this beautiful work of art. ❤❤❤
@williamellis8993 6 months ago

Fantastic, David. That was a lot of work, but the result was outstanding. Bill
@CourtneyClark01 6 months ago

That is beautiful. It may represent Portugal, but it has such a Christmas feel. Love it!
@stevegagnon4747 6 months ago

I would love to have that first piece you started. I think it was gorgeous and would make a beautiful lamp