August 2021 Turnings
The stave urn shown above was made from Ambrosa maple obtained from Austin Hardwoods. A surprise step forward was the gift of some Canadian cherry from a neighbor. See below. Beth and her daughters loaded my pickup truck which I could not have done. Four rough turned bowls, from this cherry wood, were put in the shavings to dry.
Four August Bowls Were Turned
These four small bowls were created from wood in the shop that was more than dry. We are in a drought,
remember, and my saved wood pile shows it. Powder, not ribbons from off the gouge is the rule. Above, from the top,
is a live edge sycamore 3 X 5 inches, tiny but cute; next is a 2.5 X 6" elm with some colorful resin to enhance a spot or two;
then comes a 1.75 X 5.5 inch sycamore dish; last and best of show is a 4.5 X 6 inch elm vessel with a choice walnut base.
The grain in this elm piece is beautiful including the enhancement given a small crack with a touch of resin.
It is hard for me to part with a piece when it is so appealing to the eye and touch.
More views on these four pieces follow below.
Functionality
Reacted to an urge to turn some Honey Locust, a favorite wood. Stock on hand is from a bug killed
tree we learned about on Craig's list a couple of years ago. Brought some home in the pickup and treated
it with alphatic resin on the ends. Damage from bugs and cracking was "big time." Managed to create a couple
of small bowls, one of which is shown below. Nothing out of the ordinary except the beauty of the grain.
This is How our Family System Works Nowadays
About three PM I take a call from granddaughter Sadie who has worked in my shop many times. "Do you have a turning that I can give to a friend today for her wedding?" Answer: "Sure." So, Sadie stops by at 4:30 PM and she is in a rush. Sadie looks at some turnings on a shelf and within five minutes there is a decision. "Grandma, do you have some wrapping paper?" "Sure."