Tuesday 24 March 2015

Wooden pram in Elm


I just loved making this wooden pram.

When Helen brought me a picture of the type of pram she wanted for her little daughters 2nd birthday, like this but more handmade, in lovely wood, just natural...

The way you make things... I just had to say yes.






This is from Myriad

I'd got a few weeks, so I was asking around timberyards for something a little different. An old yard with loads of reclaimed wood came into mind. I went to see them and remembered that they once had a quantity of thin Elm planks that were from the end of an old barn.

I found them, tucked away under loads of other timbers, not as many as I thought.. 
So I had what was left.

 click on photo to enlarge


The grain in this Elm was wonderful..



It had all been protected under a few coats of Sikkens, and this just peeled away, like peeling gloss paint from an old window that wasn't keyed up properly. So I let it dry for a while..


I invited Helen in to see the timber and we set to working on patterns. That way we could come up with a design that would work with the doll she was making.

Made not just suit her little one's needs now, but also as time goes by, it could have the wheels and handle removed to just leave a cradle. So most of the joints are fixed, but parts can be removed for repairs if needed.

Not many photos of the pram during build but here are some of the finished pram.

List of timber used;

  • Elm - recycled
  • Oak - from off cuts
  • Cherry - from offcuts
  • Sweet Chestnut - from a friend, who is a local Woodsman. - offcuts 


Here it is finished


And here is the finished pram.. I just love the recycled Elm body of the pram..
.. fabulous colours..



Even the waney edge has been left on in places, then just rounded off to soften the edges



Helen's daughters initials CRC carved into the back of the Elm



The 'rolling pin' Sweet chestnut handle, suits little hands and good for adults to carry too.. 



The ends of the Sweet Chestnut coming through the side of the Oak handle supports.
Wedged to hold the handle in place and firm. 



The wheels are in Cherry, with Sweet Chestnut hub caps



Helen came in to pick it up, and bought Lucy the doll to see how it all fits together..

A labour of love on both sides, it worked really well.



Helen emailed me.





Thanks for looking

All the best

Jamie 

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