2nd Place Mixed Media (16 x 23 x 40")

I assembled, carved, stamped, laced, cut out, stained and finished the guitar, stand, and guitar strap. Woodworking, wood carving, leather carving and tooling

Dwarf Strings
Many People are familiar with the description of Dwarfs from the stories by J.R.R. Tolkien in the Hobbit of Lord of the Rings, however; very few know that they once were a force to be reckoned with conscripted by our U.S. Government into military service. They were a highly specialized group of soldiers tasked with the job of fighting the forces of evil that few people know about or want to know about: the monsters and crawly things that live underground and in the imaginations of the demented. The Dwarfs were well suited for this mission as they could be found in the mines, caverns, and underground places around the world. They were also known for mining and the forging of specialized weapons that could be adapted from just about anything, like old flintlock rifles or even guitars.

Although the Dwarf Co. is now decommissioned and they have hone back to their prior ways of life, I feel that we still owe them a debt of gratitude as they pretty much accomplished their very unique mission and the world is a safer place. Dwarfs like other soldiers coming back from unpopular wars were not given the recognition that they deserved, so I dedicate this guitar to them as a tribute.

If you should ever see a Dwarf at the VA, which is very, very rare as they are so reclusive, lo lived, rugged, and healthy; don't look them in the eyes or strike up a conversation or you'll be sorry! (enough said)

The guitar body is basswood and the neck is maple which I ordered from a Veteran group on line out of California. all the electronics and hardware were bought from various vendors on line. All the leather on the guitar, stand, and strap came as a slab from Tandy leather. The padding on the strap and stand is genuine synthetic Dwarf belly button lint (also used to line saddles). The stand is driftwood I picked up. The EIB on the guitar I earned in 1977. I carved the guitar body in shallow relief front and back and I installed all the electronics and hardware. I assembled and carved the driftwood stand. I cut out, carved, stamped, stitched up, stained, and finished all the leather.