Mother Nature's Designs: May 2010

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Mother Nature's Design. All materials in our designs are reclaimed and organic.

The cedar we use is from a wind blow down, that was cleaned up, due to a flooding problem.

Our apple wood is from an Organic Orchard which was removed due to age and the general market. We have worked with this Farmer for several years and felt we could reclaim and reuse the waste from this devastation and these are "Our Good Ideas from the Woods".

All of our items are functional and have style all their own. "Mother Nature Designs" each curve and twist in each branch and we try to make as little cuts as possible. Many hours go into reclaiming the right pieces. We use almost everything that remains. Our idea is to find a practial use for everything that we can, "our imaginations" are our only limitations.

Natural forms have their own flow, as can be seen in any grain of wood. Our thoughts are to marry the forms in to practical art. Each piece must match its partner's shape and form. The marriage is never forced, or cut to suit...... we just go to our pile and find the right mate. These creations are a "True Labor of Love".

We will miss all the birds and the blossoms, but in these creations we can hope to give something back. " Natures Cradles" are one of our best thoughts, a tree cradling a sapling, as it is the natural way. And we all should plant at least one tree in our lives.

Next, the bird houses (we are birders). What better building material then the same trees they had raised their young in? So we have made many types to suit each bird's natural preference. Now to feed them, the "Stick Around" came to be. Just a simple suet feeder.......but look closer, we have taken the time to pick pieces that have natural perches for many types of bird that don't normally eat at these kinds of feeders. We even have made bases for some so that the different birds can perch and feed. And for all others, we designed our "Cedar Silos", which can handle everything from peanuts and sunflower seeds to canary seed. All with just a turn of a few screws.

And we were not about to forget about our nocturnal winged friends..........Bats. And we have quite a few in 300 acres of orchard. They are by far the best natural bug control known to man. So of course they needed homes also. Time for another design.....and hollow logs just seem perfect (the bats think so!)

Many Artists work with cedar as we do, but our passion is for the apple wood creation. They have timeless beauty and natural flow. Each piece is a one of a kind and we can take very little credit for the lasting beauty found in the form and twisting grains in the wood. Our time is spent collecting, stripping, and fitting hundreds of pieces, yet even in this, we have a useable by product; cedar bark for flower beds, clean sawdust and drill chips for the neighbor that raises rabbits and birds. Apple chips for our friends with backyard smokers and barbecues. Even the small, stripped, dryed branches of the cedars are gathered and soaked in the pond for days, to then be bent into shape for the arbors and trellises we create, along with a few very special dream catchers.

We have found our local birds very interested in the new found source of nest building material. Long grain cuttings produces long string like threads and the cedar bark strips to hair like fibers. So we have started to include some "Nest Starter" to our bird homes, and to our list of recycled products.

As I spend time in the bush and at the brush pile, I find I have time to reflect a little, to see 60 year old trees that have given and beared fruit for all to share in, now torn from the ground and heaped in to large piles, waiting to be burned. Eating up more of our life blood(oxygen) and no trees to replace them. It did seem bleak, but we will do our little part right here. We will reincarnate everything we can and will keep making "Natures Cradles" as long as we are able.. So do the world a favor and plant a tree. If not one of ours, plant one of your own. It's the right thing to do. Please Think Green, and enjoy our "Good Ideas from the Woods".

"Just One Man's Thoughts" Rob Mahy co/founder

Friday, May 28, 2010

Just a reminder...........

Just a quick reminder, click on the pictures to enlarge. And Please add your comments, good or bad. Thank you

New Items..........

Hey check this out!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a few new items to share.
How about a milk stool for the garden, deck, or in the house. Look at the cedar bench!!!! Will look great at the top of the landing of a stairwell, mud room to take off or put on our shoes/boots. Or even out in the garden amongst the flowers and trees.

New Items.........

The new "waste not" bird feeder. Tired of sweeping bird seed off the deck?
This bird feeder is for you. Or how about a one of a kind wishing well? Oh and can't
forget about our musicians, a custom guitar stand, made of organic apple wood. Bet
none of your friends have one......

Keady Market - May 25, 2010

Elmvale May 23,2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Quick Note

Hi everyone,
Just a quick note. We would like to "Thank" everyone who has stopped by to say hi, whether it be at the Owen Sound Market, Elmvale Market, Keady Market, or right here in
Meaford, and thank you for your support. We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 24th of May weekend. Also to let you know, we will be at the Owen Sound Market on Saturday, and Elmvale on Sunday this weekend. Hope to see you there!!!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

New Applewood Designs

Stop in and check out some of the new applewood designs.
Plant stands, candle holders, deck tables, ect.....

and even a chandelier

Natures Cradles

"Natures Cradles" are one of our best thoughts.
A tree cradling a sapling as it is
the natural way. And we all should
plant at least one tree in our lives.

Suet & Bird Feeders

The "Stick Around", just a simple suet feeder,
but look closer........we have taken the time to
pick pieces that have natural perches for many
types of birds that don't normally eat from these
kinds of feeders. We even made bases for some so
that the different birds can perch and feed. And
for all others, we designed our "Cedar Silos", which
can handle everything from peanuts and sunflower
seeds to canary seed. All with just a turn of a few
screws.

A New Model

Bird Approved!!!!!!

Arbors, Trellises & Garden Borders

Small, stripped, dryed branches of the
cedars are gathered and soaked in the
pond for days, to then be bent into shape
for the arbors and trellises we create.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Natures Canvas (just a few)

Friday, May 7, 2010

Our Stock Pile

hmmmmm.......... a million more ideas

Tea Candle Logs

very unique, and never two the same

Bird and Bat houses

what better building material, then the same trees
they had raised their young in? So we have made
many types to suit each bird's natural preferance.
and not to forget about our nocturnal winged
friends..... Bats! we have houses for them too.

Owen Sound Farmer's Market

Prices for Our Unique Items

Nature's Cradle (lg) $20.00

Nature's Cradle (sm) 15.00

Nature's Cradle (empty) 8.00

Window Boxes 25.00 & up

Plant Stands 40.00 to 80.00

Deck Tables 50.00 to 100.00

Bird Houses; 25.00

downy & harry woodpecker

robin's roost

chickidee & house sparrow

nuthatch

bluebird

Cedar Silo's (bird feeders) 25.00 to 30.00

Stick Arounds ( suet feeders) 12.00 ea. or 2 for 20.00

Some of Our other items:

Walking Sticks 18.00

Beaver Pole Trellis' 40.00 & up

Cedar Pole Trellis' 40.00 & up

Milk Stools 30.00

Cat scratchers 30.00

Tea Candle Logs 12.00 ea or 2 for 20.00

Tea Candelabra (wall mount) 20.00 & up

Natural "Canvas" Plaques 15.00 and up

Fish of Ontario

carved & painted 50.00 to 75.00

Mother Nature's Designs