Monthly Archives: October 2025

More than Wood: Black Walnut Season

You’ve got to watch your head walking around here in October as the black walnut trees drop their heavy fruits. A walk is accompanied by a chorus of soft plinks and solid thunks. The plinks are acorns, the thunks are … Continue reading

Posted in historical reference, nature, quotes and excerpts, sketch, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

2026: Pete’s and Hand Tool Haven

I just returned from a week teaching a bird bowl class at Pete Galbert’s in Berwick, Maine. I’ll be settling into my shop for the next few months with lots of projects in mind. I’ll also be thinking about 2026. … Continue reading

Posted in classes, events, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Ready for Maine

I’m returning to Peter Galbert Workshops in Berwick, Maine to teach another bird bowl class this week. As part of my preparations, I carved another hen bowl to make sure I remembered how. We’ll carve a long and sleek goose-inspired … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, books, classes, teaching, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Strange and Unusual Shrink Pot

In the 1988 movie Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder, as Lydia, professes her strangeness with quiet self-assurance: “I myself am strange and unusual.” About a year ago I was asked to incorporate that line into a piece, and the idea developed in … Continue reading

Posted in design, Lettering, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments