Woodworking gives me something useful to do when I'm feeling puny and it takes my mind off my troubles. ~Gary McCarthy, Yellowstone Thunder, 2011 (Quinn Wallace)

Bowls

 
 
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Function

This bowl may not look remarkable but it has been in daily kitchen use for over 17 years.

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Pecan. It’s not just for pie!

There is a slide show about the making of this bowl, Coming … soon … ish.

Blackjack Oak

Blackjack Oak

Character

The grain in the wood and the knots and the bark inclusions make each bowl a surprise.

 

Bowls

 
 
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Blackjack Oak

Undercut

Putting a big diameter hollow through a small diameter opening!

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Blackjack Oak

Shape

This vessel has a flare under the rim that provides the handler tactile feedback about where the bowl is in the hand. The three grooves are simply decoration.

Bois d’arc

Bois d’arc

Hard

The wood of the Bois D’arc is a bright yellow when it is first cut. It oxidizes to a dark brown over time. This wood is very, very hard. The craftsman will find it necessary to sharpen and resharpen the gouges often when working this material.

 

Bowls

 
 
Red Cedar

Red Cedar

No Stain Needed

Cedar is easy to cut and it smells wonderful!

Interrupted Black Lacquer Finish

Interrupted Black Lacquer Finish

When the wood is bland …

After this bowl was shaped and sanded two coats of black lacquer were applied to the outside surface and left to dry thoroughly. Then a band was cut through the lacquer and the exposed wood was given a texture.

Hackberry

Hackberry

Spalting

It looks intriguing … but salting is really just incipient rot! The lines are marks of decay.

 

Boxes

 
 
A collection of small lidded boxes.

A collection of small lidded boxes.

Small

What would YOU keep in a small lidded box?

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Lidded boxes with decorative inserts.

Fancy

Some button covers found their way onto the lids of a batch of small boxes.

Lidded box with finial.

Lidded box with finial.

Meaningful

As you might guess from the design, this box is used to store Hershie Kisses & Hugs

 

Boxes

 
 
Mesquite Box

Mesquite Box

Small lidded box

Small can be difficult. Like children, To hollow a narrow vessel is to court disaster. But it is worth the effort.

Mesquite Box with Finial

Mesquite Box with Finial

Adding other woods

Sometimes bringing the color and texture of another specie of wood is a way to call attention to the larger piece.

Pooh’s Honey Pot

Pooh’s Honey Pot

Imagine that

This rather large Mesquite lidded box was spotted by a fan of the famous Winnie and christened with its’ name!

 

Pens

 
 
Pens - various woods

Pens - various woods

Pens

This collection of pens was prepared for a client who used them as special gifts. Presentation boxes provided the panache that made the occasional memorable!

Pens - various woods

Pens - various woods

More Pens

This collection shows some of the variety of style.

New pen and the gouges that made it.

New pen and the gouges that made it.

Where Pens Come From

Watch for a slide presentation here soon.