A Crocodile, an Oak Barrel, and Some Big Hooks

In this video, I take you through the process of creating a unique wall art piece from oak.
I had a 3D model of a crocodile swimming through a river sitting on my computer for quite some time. I always liked the design, but I never knew how or where I could use it. So I decided to cut it on my small CNC machine and figure out the rest as I went.
I started by building a frame using curved pieces of oak and beech. Then I added two half-circle elements on each side, designed to resemble the ends of an old oak barrel.
I also wanted this piece to be more than just decoration. I decided to make it functional by adding hooks where small items, such as keys, could be hung.
To stay with the crocodile and fishing theme, I made the hooks from large nails. I bent them to look like oversized fishing hooks that had become stuck in the wooden barrel.
After everything was assembled, I finished the piece with clear protective lacquer and mounted it on the wall.
The result is a solid, rustic piece of functional wall art that combines oak, iron, woodworking, and a little bit of imagination.
Because of the ongoing war that Russia started against Ukraine, I don't have as much time as I used to for creating new videos for my audience. I made this piece during a very difficult time, and working on it gave me a chance to step away, even for a little while, from the tragic events happening around us because of the ongoing Russian attacks.

Thank you for watching and supporting my work. Please stay safe, and I truly believe that Ukraine will prevail.

P.S. I almost forgot to mention one little detail. At the end of the video, you’ll see a tray I made for an old friend of mine as a birthday gift. We’ve been friends for many years, and he’s always had a love for cooking and bringing people together around a good meal. So I wanted to make him something with a little meaning behind it, something made by hand and made to last.