I roughed this bowl out of a green apple log almost a year ago. It’s just under 5″ end-to-end; you can cradle it in one hand. Next time, I’ll make a bigger one. It will be a lot easier!
This one is available for purchase. If you’re interested, please email me at dandkfish@gmail.com. The price of $750 includes insured shipping. Update: SOLD. I’ll show a few other angles below then get to the leaves.
The dark heartwood of the apple tree is up around the handles.
The hollow is undercut all around. That kept the sidewall thin. I’ll leave it a little thicker next time so I’m not flirting with danger so much when carving the leaves. I hate flirting with danger.
There’s a good view of the dappled gouge-cut texture on the exterior.
Back to the leaves. I first drew up and carved this general pattern for the side panel of the bowl above in 2015. The concept of a carved “side panel” came to me from seeing Bengt Lidstrom‘s bowls. I have no idea what Bengt called that area of his bowls. If he did have a name for it, I’ll bet it was in Swedish.
I didn’t design the pattern with any particular leaves in mind, but it is reminiscent of how black cherry tree leaves line up along their long slender twigs.
I’ve tweaked and adapted the pattern several times to panels of various proportions.
Here’s a different variation, and with a little color.
And now, to use an expression I once thought my dad invented, it’s time for me to make like a tree and leave.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
A beautiful bowl Dave, and the shape is so sweet. I like the leaf pattern you created and how it looks in the various woods and finishes. And thanks for including the drawings. How did you find the apple wood for carving? I love the feel and look of apple wood. It is so smooth and hard.
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Thanks Glenn. Apple is hard and moves a lot as it dries. But the fineness of grain is wonderful for surface polish and detail. I’ve made a few small carvings of boxwood and it reminds me of that when I’m carving it.
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A beautiful bowl topped of by the handle design. I should try a carving apple wood sometime. Thanks for sharing. Patrick Wentzel
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Yes, go for some apple sometime, Patrick. It holds detail extremely well. Older trees tend to get gnarled and twisted and you can use that character in your design. This post has another piece of apple wood with some lettering:https://davidffisher.com/2022/06/02/esherick-exhibition/
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When we leave you to your own devices, the results are always superb.
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I appreciate that, Bob, but I still benefit from adult supervision.
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Gorgeous bowls Dave, wonderful š š
I have a small thick branch of boxwood from my mother’s hedge. I haven’t decided how best to use it yet. But I used 2 offcuts to make 2 captive wedges to fix two old tools that were missing them (I believe Box was traditionally used for this purpose). The old tools in question: an old measuring gauge and an old wooden plough-plane. The Box carved very well š
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That’s a very good use for boxwood! It holds up so well and holds such fine detail.
If you know any potters, here’s one of my little boxwood projects that might give you an idea, including a mistake to avoid! https://davidffisher.com/2017/04/27/boxwood-blunder/
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In a word – Stunning!
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Iām intrigued by your leaf patterns. I turn bowls and Iām considering turning one with a thicker rim and then cutting
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My goodness that is one gorgeous bowl
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