Inspired by the pattern on the Ash Bowl With A Flanged Rim which reminded me of a longhorn steer I decided to turn another and try to capture even more of this unique shape. If you look closely you can see (hopefully) the shape of the ‘cattle head’.

The bowl is made of Ash, about 7″ in diameter and is just over 4″ tall. It is finished with EEE Cream and Shellawax.

The grain contrast and color of Ash is very subtle but the more I work with it the more I am fascinated with it.

Here are a few more photos of this bowl, this one a view from top:

Continue reading 'The Bowl Of The Longhorn Ash'

Here’s a couple of pens I turned recently. The one on the left is made of Olivewood and the one on the right is made of Tigerwood.

The Olivewood was given to me from a friend of mine from the AWA. Apparently the tree came from his father’s property in Ottawa, where at one time there were lots of these trees growing in the neighborhood.

I was speaking with a couple of other woodturners the other day about Tigerwood which led me to find out a bit more about it. Apparently it comes from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala and that ‘Tigerwood’ is the commercial name for ‘Muiracatiara’. I like to give these pens to my golfing buddies. Tiger Wood, get it?!

Here are a couple of more photos:

Continue reading 'Olivewood And Tigerwood Pens'

You know that old saying that you can never get too much of a good thing? Well, it’s true! Last night’s meeting of the Atlantic Woodworkers Association featured Kevin Hurst from Lee Valley with his presentation on finishing and the variety of products available. Although I caught his ’show’ at last month’s Nova Woodturners Guild meeting this one was appropriately adapted to woodworkers and their differing needs.

Kevin, in addition to being the Assistant Manager at Lee Valley and a home woodworker, was once a professional cabinet maker so the information that he imparts is based on his wide experience. His career as a cabinet maker allowed him the opportunity of working with finishing products on a commercial level, using equipment and products not readily available to the home woodworker. His employment with LV keeps him abreast of changing trends, new products and techniques, both from a corporate perspective and interacting with customers. Kevin says that real life results are the true test of a product and that by listening to woodworkers about their trials, tribulations and successes gives him an abundance of information beyond his own personal experiences. He, in turn, is freely able to share this information whether at the store or in presentations like this.

Kevin began his presentation with a short talk on safety (move over, Norm!) and the available safety products. This was a great beginning. We often overlook this important part of woodworking, especially with finishes and we can never be reminded enough. From here he continued through the Lee Valley product line, interjecting with recommendations and application suggestions.

Continue reading 'Finishing Your Project At The AWA'

Here is a Cocobolo and Ebony lidded box that I recently completed. It is called ‘Vase On Vase’.

It stands 7 1/2″ tall from the base to the top of the finial and is about 3″ in diameter at its widest. The base is 3 1/4″ tall and the finial and lid is 4 1/14″ tall.

The shape of the base follows the form of the ‘vase’ that was created by the grain. This was one of those discoveries that, though it changed my original design, I was happy to explore.

The domed lid sits inside the undercut rim of the base and has a concave bottom. The finial was turned separate and of ‘medium weight’.

You can see other views of these features here in these photos:

Continue reading 'Cocobolo And Ebony Lidded Box'