Always Learning.

I love to make something out of wormwood. Just think the finished pieces feel older. Like maybe they've seen more. Have richer stories.

This particular Ash bowl taught me two very valuable things well after I thought we were done.

First, always put your wormwood in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute after you're finished (and before any metal adornments, of course). Why? Many times those darn worms are still hard at work inside. The last thing you want, is to set your creation down on something they'd find tastier. Like, say, an expensive table. Or your prized stash of other drying wood. Because they will gravitate towards it. They will tuck in.

Second, oil makes things yellow over time. First it brings out the color, later if turns yellow. I used standard Tung oil here. This Ash started out a lovely silver, with black mold running all through it. I hadn't paid any attention to it in several months, only to realize, well, now it's yellow.

Still a lovely bowl, but not anything like its former color. Now it has a different feel about it. More old than aged. Good to know.

And, Again.

I learned a really valuable lesson watching the glass blowers at the Waterford Crystal plant in Ireland a few years ago. I asked one of the fellas how they could do the patterns so precisely. The answer? He said he'd been doing the same goblet, more or less, for almost 18 years now. Sheesh...

I'm gonna keep hammering this design until I'm fully satisfied. This is the thinnest I've ever gone, and I really like looking down into this particular bowl.

I also tried a different sanding technique, using a painters' sanding wheel on my drill to soften the carving bit. I think I like the end result better. I also added a little detail just below the rim and above the foot.

There's a bit of spalting in this cherry bowl, but I don't mind. It's kinda purdy.

Finished in walnut oil. 10" wide x 4" deep. Completely food safe and ready for the table.

Yo, B.

And here's the first finished piece I've pulled from The Urner's maple tree (If you remember, a few posts back...) Many thanks guys. I hope you get as much pleasure knowing that old tree lives on and is making someone else happy, as I've gotten helping it along its journey.

This one's about 14 inches across and almost 5 deep. Finished in walnut oil, it's 100% food safe. I think it looks great on our dining room table, and I hope it looks even better on my neighbor's Brian and Christina's table for years to come.

You'll also notice I tried a slightly different signature for the bottom. Several months ago, we took the kids north for a weekend of poking around, and I discovered these green marble bits in a tiny sewing store. I knew they'd come in handy some day. I think I like them.

What do you think?

For Another Day.

Since moving from Atlanta, I think I've mentioned the incidences of my roughs cracking as they dry have gone up. Either I'm not paying enough attention to the circumference/thickness ratios, or the damp nature of my drying space ain't helpin'.

I got tired of throwing out nice, big cherry roughs, so I've decided to try something. Dye and epoxy. Maybe it'll make for a pretty neat design. Dunno. I do know I'll save another piece of wood and learn something in the process if nothing else. So, off we go.

First I got the rough back in round.

Then taped off the outside of the bowl; as it'll be easier to fill the crack full from the smaller side. Otherwise, I'll have a flat spot that won't be rounded.

After filling the crack, I taped up the inside and let it set for a couple of hours to dry. Had to repeat the process, as air bubbles worked their way up and out of the fill. Suppose a thinner epoxy mix might account for alleviating that, but we shall see as I do more of them.

For now, I'm looking forward to finishing this one, and seeing what comes of it. Stay tuned.

What's In Thar?—Part II

A while back, I got a few pieces of wood from my pal Lou Maxon. Lou's been building a 100% LEED certified modern home in Carnation, WA.

I thought this would be a nice little crotch piece to keep his spirits up while the LEED process dragged out. Consider it part of a greater work in progress. (Who knew it took sooooooooooo long to do it right and not cut any corners?)

In any event, Lou was pleased to get it. And even gave us a wee shout out on Dwell Magazine's blog; where he's a recent sanctioned contributor. How 'bout that?

And It Kept Moving, And Moving.

About 18 months ago I thought I'd try and test the limits of my lathe; just how big could I go? So I put on a piece roughly 16" x 24". Never done anything like that before.

And I roughed out this form. (the part about piece of it exploding in my face, requiring several stitches, I'll save for another day.)

It finally got down to about 15% water, so I threw it back on the lathe. I got the inside working well, then had to wrap it in plastic for a few days. You know, things came up.

Getting back to it, I realized the pith (center of the tree) was still moving. That was the biggest movement in the overall drying, but I figured it was pretty much done. Not so!

With it well out of round by the time I turned it around, I figured I'd just carve the outside and be done with it. Piece saved.

As you can see, I ran out of wall. Blew it out. Was paying more attention to the bouncing chainsaw blade that the thickness of the wall, and the you go. Some really pretty firewood.

Once again, lathe and learn.

Debt Repaid.

I often repay someone who's kind enough to give me some wood with something from what they've parted with. Here, this is from those several rounds of cherry I got up the hill in Queen Anne.

When I delivered it, Jim wasn't home. Bu this wife appeared to be genuinely pleased and surprised to see me.

Turned out pretty well. I think, any way. The wood was under 15% moisture-wise when I got back to it. And although the markings aren't all that distinctive, it's still pretty. I turn to carving if the grain is kind of plain. Seems to work well.

And for the bottom, the usual signature Celtic knot. So much nicer than an actual signature. Don't you think?

Cherry. Walnut oil finish. 8" x 15".