My first attemt at making a jiita

Hey All,
So I decided to try making a Jiita today as the wife was out of town and I had plenty of class work that I should have been doing instead. I used an old piece of poplar. I'm thinking about staining a bit darker on the top. Let me know what you think.

Todd

I think it'd add a lot more if it were darker and thinner. Draws my eyes down towards it in that 3rd picture.

Easy and fun to churn out, have fun!

Appreciate you sharing, thanks.
When it comes to stands and jittas, dark is better as it's less distracting.
IMHO ( also some serious study) the thickness of a piece such as yours depends on what it is supporting.
Some lighter looking pots balance real well with smaller thinner "slabs". Because of the mass or style of the pot you may want a thicker looking slab as it gives it a look of stabilty for the mass.

Suggest to keep the one you have and make a thinner one so that you have both for either case

Hi Todd,
Nice job with your first ji ita, it's very satisfying isn't it

I hope you don't mind me making a few observations:

I know your wood is actually cut from the end of a log and is a completely natural shape but the thin pointed end looks too sharp for me, personally I would round it off on this ji ita.....please remember this is only what I would do, it may be you want to retain the shape.

Definitely darken the top some more

You can afford to carve the edge grain detail a little deeper on your next board, you have the hang of the detail, you're more or less drawing it on with the carving bit.

Run your carving right to the edge of the ji ita try to avoid any square edges.

Have fun and don't forget to count your fingers when you finish

These are just some of the things I found out along the way, I am sure you will develop your own style.

Keep up the good work.

Best regards
John

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will keep these in mind as I continue with more. I have stained the top darker and intend to go thinner next time. I appreciate the creative criticism. In the future I plan to use some nicer wood as this was a cheap scrap piece.

I didn't have an intended pot or display in mind when I made this one so I will play around with different combinations to see what looks best.

John I think I am hooked. I also would like to try my hand at root stands and tables. Although it may cost me my woman, as she says I spend more time with my bonsai than with her. I sure will miss her though.

Todd

P.S. Fingers are all intact.

DreadyKGB wrote:P.S. Fingers are all intact.

Lol. You using a bandsaw and belt sander?

Here are a couple more that I made about a week or so ago. The first one is oak the second is aspen.











As always I am open to feedback and critique...

Todd

Hoo,
I'm using a scrolling jig saw and an orbital sander. thus far I still haven't done any bodily harm. This week I am off work for spring break and am working on a few more and doing some carving work on some trees so I'll have to recount the digits next Sunday.

Todd

P.s. These are what I worked on this weekend. Should be done in a couple days.

Nice work Todd, it's got a grip hasn't it

Yeah I think I'm hooked. I've always enjoyed working with wood so I find it very fulfilling. Each time I make one I see how I could improve it next time. Now to find some nice burl wood to work with.

Todd

I came to find out as I was dropping off tree for the Midwest Bonsai Society show that Jim Doyle is using one of my Jitta in his display this year. WOOHOO!!!

Todd

Any more of these?

I've made quite a few more since these. I'll post some pictures later.