My latest project has been a ‘Family Trees’ fan, a hand pierced one-off for a family member.
SWMBO has just suggested a multiple for each ‘branch’(sorry) of the family, and what about Magnolia trees, as most of them ‘sprouted’ (!) from Mississippi ?
One possibility would be to engrave the very open shape of a typical magnolia silhouette, as a cutout would be too impractical. Then I thought ‘is magnolia available as a veneer ?’. I’d then just create a new version of my original design, and set Glowfinger to work.
According to google, the timber has been used for Venetian blind slats, as it is very stable and works easily.
As I can’t find anything on different searches on google, I’m throwing down the gauntlet here for any ideas !
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I would use the Magnolia flower as a design base as it is iconic.
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Wow, that was quick. Many thanks for the links.
Surprised to learn that American Tulip wood is also known as Magnolia.
I’ve used NA Tulip wood years ago in UK (for a fan of course) so that would be another reference point.
Regards,
John
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Might included that as a raised motif on the guard sticks, possibly gilded !
John
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Would love to see photos of any you can show us 
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As the step-daughter (the first recipient) doesn’t follow me here, I’ll get photos organized !
John
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I’ve just noticed that the first link is to a UK website, so I wonder if the NA Tulip wood, aka Magnolia works over here ?
John
EDIT just found this.
The tulip tree is also known by many other names: tulip poplar, yellow poplar, whitewood, and tulip magnolia. Some of these names can be deceiving, as the tree is not a true poplar. Instead, it belongs to the magnolia family.
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I have one right outside my window…taller than the 6th floor on which I live. It’s in full autum colors right now.
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Maybe a little cranky tonight but…
not a fan of questions requiring a google search to understand the context.
Best of luck anyway.
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SWMBO - old reference from ham radio days - ‘she who must be obeyed’ ie wife.
I think the original quote is from a classic story, a reference to a Queen of a lost continent/plateau - typical ‘boy’s own’ story of explorers 19th/20th century.
That’s about all I can drag out of the little grey cells.
John
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Now I’ve got to think of a 3d version, built up from layers.
I have created a version of ‘shibayama’ work (sorry, beerfaced) which I did by cutting out a piece from the original material, then gluing it back at an angle, so that the lower part was below the original surface, and the upper part was above the surface. Blended together gave a very pleasing effect, as if the design had been carved in high relief.
My best, I think was done on the fan box, rather than the fan itself, by tilting the ‘feather’.
Fan made in carbon fiber and titanium, for the wife of a past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers. She was an engineer, and it seemed an appropriate choice of materials.
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H. Rider Haggard.
Nice fan!
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The choice of materials for that customer is 
and the fan is a work of art John. The box is as fine a polish as you could put on a gift!
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I first saw that used in the old British (brought to the U.S by PBS) TV series Rumpole of the Bailey back in the early 80s.
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Happy cake day, Marj!!! 
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It’s beautiful!
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Totally Gorgeous. Both fan and box I knew you were doing work at the highest level but did not realize that there even was an ancient (well 1709 on anyway) guild of fan makers I would love to have a vlog of the amazing folk in the Glowforge community and your history would be among the most fascinating. 
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Omigosh, John…what stunning work. If you have the time someday, I’d love to see more photos of some of your work.
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