The carved raven head, stained with vinegaroon, became a gathering bead for this leather bag I made for @dustyvixen ! When it's fully open, the end caps on the drawstring sit in its beak like a sprig of berries. Or, indeed, like Raven stealing beads. I made the bag from one of my own leather jackets and some variegated woolen thread my late grandmother gave me (chosen more for my own attachment than for colour), and is lined with a black cotton printed with golden feathers, to keep to the raven theme. If desired, the bag can be inverted. Inside the bag, I crafted a full set of ogham staves from applewood branches, harvested and hoarded from my last house (now demolished, the apple trees torn up and mulched with everything else). I shaped and burned each one by hand, and rubbed in deep my home blend of beeswax and penetrating oils to keep them smooth and good in the hand. (Thanks to @dustyvixen also for taking these pictures for me, in my excitement to give presents I forgot to take any snaps myself.) . . . . . . . . . . . #ogham #oghamstaves #oghamsticks #oghamset #applewood #barkon #woodcarving #woodcraft #woodworking #woodburning #pyrography #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leatherbag #drawstringbag #pagancrafts #celticogham #crow #raven #bead #stickcraft https://www.instagram.com/p/B9oxYqMhyE6/?igshid=fajo22lrexwz
