Author Archives: Dave Fisher

Merging Cuts in the Hollow

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Dave Fisher

Earlier this month, I wrote a post about two walnut bowls, and there was a question in the comments about dealing with the tricky area where the grain direction merges across the middle of the hollow. I wanted to expand … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

2022 Slöjd Fellowships

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Dave Fisher

Back in 2019, I ventured to England (Spoonfest) and Sweden (Täljfest) and had an amazing experience of learning, teaching, and sharing. I had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people, including Owen Thomas and Anja Sundberg. I was very … Continue reading →

Posted in events, Persons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Maple Spoons

Posted on August 13, 2022 by Dave Fisher

Like many places, we have a lot of maple trees around here. Such wonderful trees for shade, syrup, or playing with the samaras, or “propellors.” And the wood is ideal for spoons. I seemed to be on a lucky roll … Continue reading →

Posted in spoons, trees | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Simple Drawing Bow

Posted on August 10, 2022 by Dave Fisher

When I lay out the “rectoval” bowls like the walnut bowls featured in my most recent post, I usually simply sketch in the long side curves by hand. On those two bowls, I experimented with a technique using an improvised … Continue reading →

Posted in layout, proportions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Arch Top and Flat Top

Posted on August 6, 2022 by Dave Fisher

These two walnut bowls are very much alike in all aspects of their design except for the shape of the upper surface. I split both blanks from the same log. After hewing and planing both bottom surfaces flat, I gave … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, holding, layout, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Lettering Inspiration From Long Ago

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been designing some new lettering projects, for myself to carve, but also with the idea of offering some lettering patterns for sale. As I sat drawing, my mind went back to a trip to Cleveland last month and the … Continue reading →

Posted in historical reference, Lettering, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Long Handled Adze

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Dave Fisher

Although I rarely use it, I do have a hollowing adze meant to be swung with two hands. For large bowls, it can help to hog out material a little faster. It was looking lonely, so I pulled it off … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, green woodworking, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Walnut Bowls and Hosta Flowers

Posted on July 17, 2022 by Dave Fisher

Earlier this week, I was preparing to take some photos in the shop of two recently-finished walnut bowls, but the light filtering into the shop wasn’t really bringing out the color variations in the wood. I looked into the back … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, nature, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Koa Bowl

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Dave Fisher

The wood for most of what I make comes from trees that grow within a few miles of my house, which is more than enough to make me happy. I’m fortunate to live in an area with so many diverse … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, bowls, carving, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged | 12 Comments

Martin Wenham’s Letter Carving Book

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Dave Fisher

When I first encountered Martin Wenham’s work several years ago, it expanded my awareness of the wonderful possibilities that letter carving offers. Martin’s pieces are testaments to his attentive sensitivity to wood and language. Many of his works can be … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Lettering, Persons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 19 Comments