Vessels, Bowls and Boxes 2002
This is a sampling of work I've completed this year. I made a router table for the lathe, combined with an indexing jig which allows me much more versatility than the indexing built into the lathe. I've been exploring the refinements that this new set-up allows in detailing turned work. I know I've only just scratched the surface of it's potential, but I've been really pleased with the results thus far.
These boxes were made from African Blackwood blanks that were intended for clarinet bells, but were rejected due to minor imperfections in the wood (knots and small checks). I used natural stones (malachite-green and rhodonite-pink) and colored epoxy to match the color of the stone. I then machined the result with the indexed router setup. The yellow wood in the piece with malachite is Yvra.
English Oak, Ebony, Birdseye Maple
English Walnut
This piece was turned then immediately enhanced with the router. After drying it went slightly oval, a natural distortion due to the way wood moves according to the orientation of the wood fibers.
Pagoda Box
Interlocking boxes of African Blackwood and Chak de Kok. I got the idea of the interlocking boxes from the work of Mark Blasting featured in a recent issue of the AAW magazine.
Cherry Burl
Carolina Cherry, Pernambuco, Snakewood
Massur Birch
Massur Birch
Cocobolo, Ebony
Dyed Maple Burl
Inspired by a recent article in the American Association of Woodturners, I tried my hand at some miniatures from palm nuts and various woods. From left to right they include: 1) Tagua nut and Ebony, and medicine tree nut and kingwood. 2) Ivory Palm nut and Ebony. 3) Maple Burl and Dymondwood 3) Blackwood, Maple Burl, Black Palm an Kingwood, Magic Medicine Tree Nut, Maple Burl and ebony.
Cherry Burl
Twisted Stem Goblets
Aspen Burl
This is a group of bowls I completed this summer before moving. I attended a seminar at the AAW Symposium last summer given by Gary Sanders on coloring wood (thanks Gary). I had to go home and try with what I learned. I really enjoyed playing with the colors and seeing the results of various combinations. I used inks and paints to get the various effects. Some of the subtleties are hard to show on the web. All the pieces were maple burl, with the exception of the small turquoise cup, which was elder burl.