Alder Bark Shrink Pot - IIII

Alder Shrink Pot
Hand carved with T Auger, Gouges, Hook Knives
From Alder Trees
Carved in South Devon, UK 
Finished with Linseed Oil & Blue Milk Paint
Dimensions: H: 11cm x W: 10cm

Sycamore Shrink Pot
Shrinkpots are truly magical! To carve a shrinkpot a section of freshly cut tree trunk is hollowed out and a dry hardwood base is inserted into the base of the trunk, as the  greener, wet wood dries it shrinks forming a seal around the base and a pot is born!

Shrink pots have endless uses, this size lends itself to storing dry goods like tea, coffee, sugar, salt or used for trinkets and treasures, paintbrushes and pencils

The base is reclaimed mahogany. The pot has been finished with linseed oil 

Where Did This Shrinkpot Grow?!
Wild Willows Farm, Loddiswell, Devon, UK
What 3 Words: famous.cliff.motored

Wild Willows were thinning a row of Alder trees which self seeded on a swampy patch of land by a pond. The trees sprung up quickly and required thinning out to allow the remaining trees to enjoy adequate sunlight and thrive.  The results was 4 Alder trees used for an A frame structure and the off cuts were used for a small batch of pots. 

Shrink-pot Care:
This shrinkpot is designed to be used with dry goods. 

To give the pot a new lease of life from time to time you can add a coat of Tung oil, flax oil, walnut oil (careful of nut allergies) or linseed oil, but this is not essential.