Monday, December 15, 2014

Friday, November 21, 2014

Bottle Stoppers



Maple burl

Buckeye Burl (center)

Quilter's Special (far right)



Top view



Navajo Wedding Platter

photo will supersize if double-clicked


Cedar basket illusion platter

15" diameter

Reverse side bears same pattern


Here is some background on the tradition:


The basket is viewed as a map, through which the Navajo people chart their lives. 

The central spot in the basket represents the sipapu, 
where the Navajo people emerged from the prior world through a reed. 

As the people emerged, all was white. 

The inner coils of the basket are white to represent this lightness, or birth. 

As you travel outward on the coils you begin to encounter more and more black. 

The black represents darkness, struggle and pain; the darker side of life. 

As you make your way through the darkness you eventually reach 
the red bands, which represent marriage; the mixing of your blood 
with your spouse and the creation of family. 

The red is pure. During this time there is no darkness. 

Traveling out of the familial bands you encounter more darkness, 
however, the darkness is interspersed with white light. 

The light represents increasing enlightenment, 
which expands until you enter the all white banding of the outer rim. 

This banding represents the spirit world, where there is no darkness. 

The line from the center of the basket to the outer rim is there 
to remind you that no matter how much darkness you encounter in your world, 
there is always a pathway to the light. 






Monday, September 1, 2014

Big Blue



Footed maple bowl.

13.5" diameter x 5.5" depth




Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, crackle, and hand-rubbed clear wax finish

Exterior in Old Ochre and Aubusson Blue

Interior in Graphite




Simply gorgeous!


Sunday, June 29, 2014

Sisters in Motion




Short video showing the pair of mahogany bowls in motion.

See previous post for specifics on the two bowls.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Sisters







This pair of mahogany basket illusion bowls
was inspired by two circa 1890 Apache baskets.





Traditional motifs include 
stepped diamonds and whirling lines.





The colors are also based in Apache tradition -
dark browns paired with deep reds.
(Apache reds came from yucca roots)

Each bowl measures 11" diameter x 4" deep.

(Photos will supersize if double clicked)

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Feathers for Millie

Front view



11.5" diameter basket illusion platter

unknown wood - turned dry

Pima Indian inspired design


Back view

Why Feathers for Millie?

My wife's friend Lynne has a tuxedo cat named Millie.

Lynne adopted Millie after the formerly feral kitten was hit by a car
and rescued by the kindness of a diverse group of cat bloggers.

(this link takes you to a perfect example)

Birds have feathers . . . 




1/8th inch beading


(Photos will supersize if double clicked)

Second Chance




Natural edge ash - turned green

Chalk paint finish

Lacing done using artificial sinew




Why the name Second Chance?

Just after I finished turning the bowl, 
I dropped it and it broke.

Rather than throw away the pieces,
I took advantage of the unexpected design opportunity.





Measures 15" wide (end to end) by 13" wide (across).

4.75" deep


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The Big Ash Bowl




Bowl measures 16" across by 6" deep

Sunday, April 27, 2014

I Went. I Saw. I Learned.


My wife made me go to 
because her quilt was juried in as a semi-finalist.

I went with an open mind.

These are my take-aways:


Many of the quilting designs could easily translate onto wood
(thinks angles, lines, leaves, shapes, layers, etc.)

(Hint- add a rubberized coating on the magnets)

Frixion Pens to draw on wood
(markings remove with heat)

Products like Pounce and stencils
for embellishing wood turnings


An amazing array of display options
(some of which could be adapted
for hanging Christmas ornaments)

Fiber Reactive Dyes that also work on wood

The concept of thread painting
as an embellishment technique

(amazing prescription magnifiers)

(white and dark options)

Using the concept of paper piecing 
to design and execute intricate patterns in wood


(also check out scrapbooking storage ideas)


The number of similarities 
between segmented woodturning
and pieced designs in quilts

* * *

Bottom line?

If you have a chance to go to a quilt show, 
go with an open mind.

You'll be surprised at the things you'll see and learn.


Saturday, March 22, 2014

Memphis Empty Bowls Project 2014



In addition to the 9" black crackle bowl in the previous post,
these six bowls are being donated to
the 2014 Memphis Empty Bowls Project


Click here for more information.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Recent Work



Three newly finished bowls.

(photos should supersize when double-clicked)




Weathered

Maple

Measures 15.5" across x 7" high





Detail of rim and milk paint crackle finish.





Smaller bowl on left (maple) measures 8.5" x 3.5"

Smaller bowl on right (mimosa) measures 9" x 3"
(will be donated to the Memphis Empty Bowls Project)

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

It's About Time

 
 
Front
 11" diameter x 2" high
 Wood - White Limba

 
Back
 Inspired by Pima Native American Indian baskets