Staff Photo by Randall Higgins
Tommy Roden, of Georgetown, Tenn., has whittled wood since he got his first pocketknife at age 10. He guesses he walks hundreds of miles this time of year to look for unusual saplings, roots, branches and vines that he turns into walking canes. The decorative canes are one of the newest additions to the gift shop at the Museum Center at Five Points in Cleveland, Tenn.CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Tommy Roden goes way out in the sticks to find his art.
"You have to know what you've got when you see it," said the newest vendor at the Museum Center at Five Points gift shop.
This time of year, when snakes and chiggers are not a problem, Roden said he walks hundreds of miles in out-of-the-way places, looking for just the right vines, saplings and branches to transform into curious, bent and twisted walking sticks.
"We have many talented artists and crafts-people in this part of the country," said Tracy O'Connell, museum store/membership coordinator. "They are all unique, like Tommy."
Roden grew up on a farm and began whittling with his first pocketknife at 10 years old. Retired in 1999, he found a branch around which a vine had impressed its own design. He carved it into a walking stick and has been doing just that ever since.
He said he peels the bark and lets the wood dry for about three months, depending on the hardness of the wood. In the spring, he starts sanding them. Then they are sprayed with lacquer.
"I keep them as natural as possible," he said.
"You go way back in the briars and the honeysuckle vines this time of year," Roden said. "You can't have them with sap in them. You want good, solid wood with just the right diameter."
Roden finds his material around his Georgetown home and in Meigs County.
He jokes that his canes are about eight years in the making; seven in nature and one for him.
The art is in the looking, he said. He looks for "good vine swirl" and roots about 2 inches or so in diameter that can become the grip handle.
These canes are not for walking.
"People like to decorate with them; stand them by the fireplace," he said.