Presentation of Crosses - Seeking Advice - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

RangerJay · 06-30-2012, 04:33 PM

We've got an interesting discussion going on in the family on how best to present a finished Cross. I've been a fan of Cross and backing - my wife is a fan of the Cross and Christ figure alone - no backing.

So .....

I've played with the choices and made up some finished pieces to show the difference and am looking for a critique with some thoughts on what has worked for you in the past.

These Crosses and the Christ figure are patterns from Wildwood. The wood is walnut and elm. Finish is Danish oil then polyurethane then wax applied with 0000 wool.

Thanks - and really looking foward to your advice.

Jay

wood-n-things · 06-30-2012, 04:40 PM

I firmly believe it is a matter of personal choice. I like all the views you have presented, the framed piece looks to me like it should be displayed in a formal setting (such as a chapel or rectory) where the others could be in a home. You've done a nice job on all of them.

wedo · 06-30-2012, 05:40 PM

I personally prefer the empty cross, it speaks to me better. I also really like the elm cross either alone or framed. All are very good and probably each person has their favorite.
Bill

PatteM · 06-30-2012, 07:03 PM

I'd say personal preference, but I believe that Catholic churches display the crucifix (with the Christ figure) and most Protestant churches display only the cross -- so I'd continue to make both versions. Yours are all absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!

dottyblues · 06-30-2012, 08:04 PM

I agree it's a matter of personal peference. Also where the cross might be hung may influence the need for a backer or not. I like all of them but I'm more partial to 1 and 2. I think they stand out more.

Overall, I think they are all wonderful and your gift will be fully appreciated by the receipent. You've inspired me to do one and I just may make one for my mother on her birthday. Good thing I still have a few months to do it.

Fretnot · 06-30-2012, 10:22 PM

Wonderful work. I make several crosses but i would not make one with the figure of Christ on. Its a personal thing as i am a Christian and Christ has risen and no longer on the cross.

Bill Wilson · 06-30-2012, 11:56 PM

Very nice crosses.

Like others, I personally prefer the empty cross, myself. It is a matter of ecclesiastic significance to some, so if these aren't meant solely for your personal use (in other words, being made for sale or gifts), then it's important to be sensitive to and understand the religious beliefs of the recipient.

As for backer vs no backer, I find myself leaning more toward a backer for these particular crosses, although I can't necessarily give any objective reasons why. To my eye, it helps set them off. YMMV.

cpowell · 07-01-2012, 02:44 AM

These are beautiful and to me it depends on the setting. The backer seems much more formal while the backerless seems more informal. I prefer the backerless personally but then I'm an informal kind of guy. Backered I can see in a church, chapel, office or even a formal dining room. It depends on the setting the customer/client/recipient wants. Thankfully before you make a decision to glue them down they are interchangeable.

RangerJay · 07-01-2012, 12:10 PM

This has been really helpful - and I've got my answer - and that answer would be - one size does not fit all and that everyones preference is individual. With that in mind I think I'll make a glued up version of each choice - and then respond to what goes (presuming any of them go at all!).

Thanks for not just the advice but also the kind words and enouragement from each of you - it is more than appreciated.

Jay

markdavd · 07-01-2012, 07:18 PM

Beautiful work.

One more idea for a backer is to cut it the exact same as the outline of the cross. You would see it through the frets, but without any excess around the outside.

06-30-2012, 04:40 PM	#2
wood-n-things Staying Positive Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 18,564 Thanks: 50 Thanked 381 Times in 281 Posts	I firmly believe it is a matter of personal choice. I like all the views you have presented, the framed piece looks to me like it should be displayed in a formal setting (such as a chapel or rectory) where the others could be in a home. You've done a nice job on all of them. __________________ "Montana MIKE" There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Pray That All The Splinters Are Pointed The Other Way... "Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long." Mike's Wood-n-Things

06-30-2012, 11:56 PM	#7
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,887 Thanks: 2 Thanked 82 Times in 69 Posts	Very nice crosses. Like others, I personally prefer the empty cross, myself. It is a matter of ecclesiastic significance to some, so if these aren't meant solely for your personal use (in other words, being made for sale or gifts), then it's important to be sensitive to and understand the religious beliefs of the recipient. As for backer vs no backer, I find myself leaning more toward a backer for these particular crosses, although I can't necessarily give any objective reasons why. To my eye, it helps set them off. YMMV. __________________ Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter. Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

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06-30-2012, 05:40 PM	#3
wedo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 303 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I personally prefer the empty cross, it speaks to me better. I also really like the elm cross either alone or framed. All are very good and probably each person has their favorite. Bill

06-30-2012, 07:03 PM	#4
PatteM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 918 Thanks: 56 Thanked 30 Times in 30 Posts	I'd say personal preference, but I believe that Catholic churches display the crucifix (with the Christ figure) and most Protestant churches display only the cross -- so I'd continue to make both versions. Yours are all absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!

06-30-2012, 08:04 PM	#5
dottyblues Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 188 Thanks: 5 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	I agree it's a matter of personal peference. Also where the cross might be hung may influence the need for a backer or not. I like all of them but I'm more partial to 1 and 2. I think they stand out more. Overall, I think they are all wonderful and your gift will be fully appreciated by the receipent. You've inspired me to do one and I just may make one for my mother on her birthday. Good thing I still have a few months to do it.

06-30-2012, 10:22 PM	#6
Fretnot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: I live in South West Wales Posts: 306 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts	Wonderful work. I make several crosses but i would not make one with the figure of Christ on. Its a personal thing as i am a Christian and Christ has risen and no longer on the cross.

07-01-2012, 02:44 AM	#8
cpowell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conroe, Tx. just north of Houston Posts: 388 Thanks: 176 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	These are beautiful and to me it depends on the setting. The backer seems much more formal while the backerless seems more informal. I prefer the backerless personally but then I'm an informal kind of guy. Backered I can see in a church, chapel, office or even a formal dining room. It depends on the setting the customer/client/recipient wants. Thankfully before you make a decision to glue them down they are interchangeable.

07-01-2012, 12:10 PM	#9
RangerJay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Northwestern Ontario Posts: 198 Thanks: 17 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	This has been really helpful - and I've got my answer - and that answer would be - one size does not fit all and that everyones preference is individual. With that in mind I think I'll make a glued up version of each choice - and then respond to what goes (presuming any of them go at all!). Thanks for not just the advice but also the kind words and enouragement from each of you - it is more than appreciated. Jay

07-01-2012, 07:18 PM	#10
markdavd Mark Davidson Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, Ga Posts: 242 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Beautiful work. One more idea for a backer is to cut it the exact same as the outline of the cross. You would see it through the frets, but without any excess around the outside.