Sunday, February 8, 2026

Elephant Restoration — Part Three. Surface repair, careful painting, and quiet progress.



Part three of the Elephant restoration project is now live on YouTube.

This stage focuses on damage on the left-hand side of the piece, the rear toenails, and the beginning of the painting process.

Much of the work here is about surface repair — building up missing areas with epoxy and then refining them carefully so they sit naturally with the original carving.
One technique I’ve been using is a thin plastic film laid over the epoxy while it cures. It’s a small thing, but it makes a real difference: the surface comes out smoother, with far less sanding and reshaping needed later. Less force, more control.
This is quiet, careful work — trying to get as much done as possible within the time available, without rushing the piece or losing sensitivity to its character.
These restoration projects aren’t about dramatic reveals or fast transformations. They’re about patience, observation, and letting the work unfold at its own pace. If you’re interested in restoration, surface repair, epoxy work, or thoughtful making, I hope there’s something useful here for you.
If you enjoy these slower, process-led videos, your support genuinely helps keep the channel going.

You can watch the video here

Watching, liking, commenting, or sharing all make a difference.
And if you’d like to go a step further, Super Thanks on YouTube or support via Buy Me a Coffee is always appreciated.

Thank you for being here,
Jamie

Sunday, February 1, 2026

130 Christmas 'Puds'… in January?

This week I found myself making over 130 “Christmas puddings” — but not the edible kind.

They’re fuel briquettes, made from waste materials that would otherwise be thrown away. It’s slow, messy, very hands-on work, and oddly satisfying. This batch was made in February, which felt ridiculous enough to be worth filming.
I’ve been changing how I edit lately — quicker, rougher, more voice-over, less polishing. Instead of staying quiet while I work, I talk you through what’s going on in my head as I do it. It feels more like working alongside a friend than making a video for the masses.
The video is here:

If you’re interested in making your own fuel, using workshop waste, or just enjoy calm, honest making — you’ll probably enjoy this one.
Jamie

Elephant Restoration — Part Three. Surface repair, careful painting, and quiet progress.

Part three of the Elephant restoration project is now live on YouTube. This stage focuses on damage on the left-hand side of the piece, the ...