The question: Do I do things other than crosses? Answer: Yes! I chose 2 woods from the Jewish scriptures. The Star of David is made of olive wood. One triangle is made of the sapwood (plain) while the second triangle is made from the heartwood of the olive tree (marbled grain). The 12 pegs are turned from Cedar of Lebanon; the wood used by King Solomon to build the Temple in Jerusalem. The challenge was the complex joinery is this relatively simple symbol of faith.
Custom Crosses
All of these designs were created within the context of ministry. I enjoy collaborating and creating new designs. The germ of an idea can evolve into a beautiful cross.
I welcome the opportunity to talk with you about designing specific crosses for special occasions or to be used by particular groups, organizations or congregations.
Custom crosses normally cost $35 for the standard size provided that the design time is not too extensive.
Star of David and Pink Ribbon Cross
A choir commissioned this Star of David and Pink Ribbon as a gift to be given their beloved director as she began a new round of breast cancer therapy. The Star of David is made from a myrtle burl from north of Jerusalem. The ribbon is an exceptional piece of wood called Pink Ivory.
Star of David Cross
Last Christmas, I received a request to make this cross for a school in Texas. As gently as possible I said that I felt uncomfortable putting a Star of David on the cross. I was told that the founder of the school was a Jewish woman who had survived the concentration camps and later had converted to Christianity. The request then made very good sense! The descending dove is made of olive. The Star of David is made of myrtle from Israel. The cross is made of mesquite. The school insisted…
Stethoscope Cross
The request was to design a cross with a stethoscope being ‘worn’ on the cross much like a doctor would wear the stethoscope. This was designed to celebrate how a person would listen to both the heart and the soul.
Sunshine Cross
He always sang ‘you are my sunshine’ for his wife. After he died, their daughter asked me to make a cross for her mother celebrating his life and their marriage. Apple wood is thought to have the essence of love and healing within it. The sun is made of a yellow wood called Pau amerillo.
Survival Knot Spoon
This gift was a gift to a person moving through the ‘dark days’ of cancer treatment. It is the blending of three traditions: the nourishing motif of the Welsh Love Spoon, the interconnectedness of life within the Celtic Knot motif, and the theology of the Tlingit people in the carving of the moon and raven. It simply says, “in times of darkness there is a small light that comes as a gift.” (see Cross of Light)
Three Scriptures Spiral
This spiral honors and celebrates the hope of God/Allah/Yehaweh as expressed through the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faith traditions. The ‘three coil’ spiral is an image that expresses the vision of faith that each of the three scriptures articulate. Each coil is distinctive even as it is ‘held’ by the other two. The three woods are distinct species (humilis, mahagoni, macrophyllia) from the Sweitenia family of wood.
Tree of Life
This Tree of Life design was a gift to hospital chaplain. I had seen the concept of this design several years ago and modified it to better suit its purpose. The tree is made up of various figures that bring life and energy to the vision of the Tree of Life. The tree is made of wenge (central dark figure), pear (tan), boxwood (mustard colored), and chakte-vega (orange). The leaves are made of lignum vitae and the horizon is satine. The tree is set onto a piece of maple with the…
Unitarian Universalist Church Imagery
This is a rendition of the image associated with the Unitarian Universalist Church was created for the Andover Newton Theological School bookstore. The two rings are made of Maple and Satine. The chalice is made of Purpleheart. The flame is Pau amarello.