My confession does and does not have to do with itchiness. Mainly I’m just itchy because I’m covered in what feels like hundreds of mosquito bites (the biggest downside of being on a rural farm surrounded by wetlands). My itchy confession to you, dear readers and patrons, is that I am allergic to trees. I’m not just talking about seasonal hayfever from tree pollen here, I’m talking deathly allergic. I am allergic to fruits from trees, nuts from trees, pollen from trees, and yes the very wood of trees. For the fruits and nuts, think of my reaction as having hives in your mouth and wanting to shove your hand down your throat to scratch because your lips, tongue, and throat are that itchy. Now imagine what that must do to my intestines?
Whenever I handle and sand wood I get the usual allergic reaction of itchy red watery eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing, and I also end up with some serious dermatitis – as in rashes, skin falling off, and me losing my very fingerprints leaving my hands sensitive, raw, and red. I can’t sand some types of wood because even with two face masks and something to blow away the dust, I still have an anaphylactic reaction, stop breathing, and either have to chug a whole bottle of liquid benedryl or rush to the emergency room because my tongue and airways have swollen shut. This isn’t new, I’ve had these allergies since I was a preteen, but my woodworking has unfortunately made it worse. I’ve kept doing it because I enjoy carving, I’m good at it, and people seem to love my work. When I left the culinary industry I originally wanted to switch trades to cabinetry, but after starting woodworking and discovering how bad my allergies were, it just wasn’t a possibility for me (hence the ending up in library science, web admin, and botanicals).
So I’ve decided that I have to admit to myself and to you, that woodwork can never be anything more than a (very) small hobby for me –it’s why I’ve slowly done less and less over the past few years. I can’t make the quantities people demand from me without seriously injuring myself. I can never do woodworking for a living no matter how much I love it. I’m glad I tried though and finally got to a level I felt was advanced. At least I’ll be able to pass on to others what I’ve learned about working with trees, their wood, and how to make almost any magical tool under the sun from sacred woods. Now it’s time to move on to things that don’t hurt me which I enjoy just as much as woodwork: local ethnobotany, illustration, writing, charm making, and my personal hobbies of sewing & embroidery.
The superstitious part of me thinks it might be a taboo for me to eat of or disturb trees because they are my gods, but the rational part of me knows tree allergies are also common in my family and to many other people. I really don’t know, maybe it’s a bit of both. So once my wood stash is used up, that might be it for me and woodwork. Who knows, if I can’t live without carving and sculpting, maybe I’ll try pottery, bone or stone instead, but that would be a long ways off. For now I’m focused on expanding Forest Grove Botanica, finishing the illustrations for the ogham deck, and writing the books everyone keeps bugging me about (and that I have pages and pages of research and notes for).
For a trip down memory lane visit my Woodwork Gallery. And now off to sleep I go, dreaming of plants instead of woods…
wow. im so sorry to hear about your allergy to trees. i have just recently found you and your blog and find it very interesting. i came in on your last entry regarding insects. i have a fallen branch of a tree in the back seat of my car that i use as a walking stick and was curious as to how to finish and perhaps paint or carve it as you have in the above photo. i.e., what materials are needed … how to prep the wood, etc.
im glad you have decided to listen to your body completely with regards to the allergy.
and i live in the forest and completely understand the itch you speak of … was just swatting at mosquitoes that made their way inside after walking the dogs.
This only makes me feel a thousand times more blessed to have several of your pieces, they really are treasures to me! I am so sorry it’s so painful for you, dear, you have so much talent! I LOVE your bonecarving so far, though, and I think you will find your way happily into carving lots of other things!
You do such magnificent work I had no idea it was a concern for you to do this work, what a terrible shame and how great that you press on regardless
Brave of you to face the reality of it straight on. Your carvings are very special. I hope that you are able to express your gift for carving in another medium someday when you are ready.
I’m amazed with the work you’ve done despite your allergies and the discomfort they cause you. Perhaps thinking about it as a taboo isn’t exactly right. To me, it seems more like a sacrifice for the hands-down amazing talent you’ve developed and the knowledge you’ve gleaned from it. Thank you for sharing! Even if I never get my hands on one of your beautiful pieces, I’m happy just to see the photos.
! i’m surprised you managed to hold on this long with your woodworking! relieved mightily that you have decided to listen to your body & take it a wee bit easy. i have an environmental allergy for each season, & myriad other sensitivities to an chemical fumes & an odd assortment of foods,but nothing as serious as yours (as of yet). i look forward to seeing in which direction your creativity blooms
Any advice on what to do with those itchy bug bites you speak of? I’m covered, and I’m a pretty urban girl so I’m not used to it!
Weeds! Crush the fresh leaves of plantain and/or curly dock and rub the juices on the bites – they help with stings as well as itching. Yarrow is both an insect repellent and good for treating insect bites and it also grows wild across N. America as well as Europe.
A little dab of lavender essential oil on bites will disinfect them and also numb any pain and itching since lavender is a natural topical anaesthetic.
That is so moving… Personnally, found even awe-inspiring. That you are so gifted with wood, that what you do lives and resembles nothing else I’ve seen, and so deathly allergic… To me it means something clearly, even if it is partly “natural” (if it runs in your family).
Sarah, I am both startled and deeply saddened by this revelation. It is almost a cruel irony that one so talented must practice discretion in handling a sacred medium that embodies life, spirit, and beauty. That you have suffered for the sake of an art about which you are so passionate is truly inspirational. I have always felt blessed to be the owner of many of your stunning woodwork creations. No wonder that they have provided such a powerful presence in my practice. Fortunately, you are multi-talented and never cease to amaze me with your work.
Thank you very much Gary! I was in denial about it for years, but I’m just so tired of being sick and I know it’s time to limit my exposure and move on.
Oh my oh my. I hope I take that kind of change as well as you are doing.
The day is coming may it be very far off, when arthritis will start to limit my embroidery. I too have other things that I love to do but boy, your work will be missed. I just love ogling it, was doing so the other day. Your wood work has been a true inspiration to me and I’m sure your new works will be as well.
Blessings,
Cynthia
Well….wow. Folks better appreciate any woodwork they’ve bought from you in the past, they should count themselves lucky. Allow me to be selfish and *cry* that I prolly won’t ever get to purchase your amazing woodwork but at the least I can gaze at the pics and appreciate your work that way.
Mosquitoes. Those guys don’t nibble so much on me anymore but I think it’s cause I recieved their ‘blessing/initiation’ (read “very..very painful experience”) as a child. Long story short, father thought it was cool to have a bunch of farm animals in his house..well for sacrificial purposes. He told me not to go outside but, of course, I was bored and so I went outside. Little did I know there was a swarm of mosquitoes just outside the door and…boom! They zeroed in on me. Ever since then mosquitoes have rarely snacked on me, if at all.
In any case, I’ve enjoyed your woodwork thus far and am looking forward to any and all possible goodies you might…witch up in th near-future. Also, your art is awesome. Blessings.
P.S. That hilt is…a masterpiece!
I’m sorry to hear it, as I treasure the custom pieces you made for me a few years back. But taking care of your body is the right answer!
I’m really sorry about your allergy to trees. For avoiding mozzie bites, I use a mix of lavender, geranium and atlantic cedar essential oils blended with carrier oil and applied daily to my body.
so sorry to hear that you can’t do woodwork anymore, your work is the best I have ever seen, your love of carving shows, but it is good that you have other skills, and enjoyments.
You’re a very talented Artisan. Sucks you won’t be carving wood anymore.Though bone has a lot you can do with it too.The skulls you did are very nice:)
I’m so sorry to hear about your allergy honey. But look at it this way – you are now a bridge. A bridge that can sell raw branches to people who can’t or don’t have access to trees/wood they need.
Of course its just a suggestion. But I’m allergic to pollen – which sucks since I like to wild harvest plants. I’m also allergic to most medications & cleaning supplies. We’re very into vinger & bakeing soda in my house
Be well & heal yourself.
That’s godawful… i’m sorry. For being allergic, you certainly have a way with trees and wood that belies your condition….
But maybe that’s the trade-off for being gifted ^_^
Fellow BC girl here! I only just found your blog, but wow, what amazing work you do. I’m sorry to hear it hurts you so much..but I imagine you will prove to be just as talented in other artistic media as well. Good luck to you!
Once again, your post was so very much from the heart and it touched me. I have serious allergies too, so I know how you suffer. As gorgeous as your woodworking is, I know that whatever you set your mind and hands to, will be equally spectacular.
I’ve received my gift and it is wonderful in all ways. Your good energy creates beauty in everything you do. Have faith in that!
Your friend,
Ilene
Your woodwork is so gorgeous, too. Perhaps your allergy is a way to keep it precious and dear. Who knows why these things happen?
Thank you everyone for your comments, I didn’t write this for a pity party, but thank you for your kind words. I have a lot of allergies and in general I’m embarrassed about it and don’t like to talk about it. I just wanted everyone to know and understand why I stop woodworking.
My allergies don’t make it more special, they unfortunately only make me dislike carving more and more when it started off as a pleasure. Woodwork is a fairly new craft for me as I’ve only been doing it the past five years. Before that I mostly did illustration, painting, quilting, embroidery, and jewelry. I’ve also dabbled in clay and paper mache, but I only ever took illustration and jewelry seriously. Creativity has always been a big part of my life – it’s why I was a cook for so many years and why I can be a mad alchemist in my kitchen with botanicals. For me, woodwork is just one of many creative hobbies I pursue, and one to let go of to make room for the others.
Slainte,
Sarah
I’m sorry to hear it but your talent is so vast – I can’t wait for what you’ll bring to us in the future!
Blessings,
Lucea’s Child
Sorry to hear of your allergies Sarah
I look forward to hearing about the completion of your ogham deck!