Author Archives: Dave Fisher

Noah’s Bowl

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Dave Fisher

After his first few days home from college for Christmas break, my son told me he wanted to carve a bowl.  Being in the workshop with him was nice and reminded me of many moments in the workshop when the … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, drying, patterns, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 21 Comments

Feline Inspiration

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Dave Fisher

You can learn a lot by watching cats.  They are studies in elegant movement and sinuous lines. Our cat, Mavis (named after a Thomas-the-Train engine), is sixteen years old.  Quick sketches of him appear here and there through my sketchbooks.  … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, figure, patterns, proportions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Norman Stevens

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Dave Fisher

I received word last night that Norman Stevens died yesterday after a short bout with pneumonia.  Norman’s love and support for carved spoons began decades ago and continued right on through the current surge of interest in spoon carving. Norman … Continue reading →

Posted in Persons, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Back to Basics Bowls

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been wanting to have some bowls to keep around as examples of forms that are aesthetically pleasing, yet more straightforward in execution than other bowls I make.  One consideration is size.  These bowls range from 14-18 inches long, 7-9 … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, layout, paint, Uncategorized | Tagged | 19 Comments

The Nimble Fishtail

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Dave Fisher

Having just finished carving “necklaces” on a couple bowls, I thought I’d explain a bit more about the tool I use for the carving of the large triangular recesses that make up the design.  In the FWW  article and video, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lettering, patterns, sketch, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments

Perpetual Thanksgiving

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Dave Fisher

I am grateful for what I am and have.  My thanksgiving is perpetual.  It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite,–only a sense of existence. —Henry David Thoreau, letter to H.G.O. Blake, 6 December 1856

Posted in quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Sign Auction

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Dave Fisher

The sign now, with light coming from the upper right. It’s been four months since I wrote a blog post about carving this sign for Jennie Alexander.  Since then, the leaves have fallen and the oiled oak has begun to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

On Eating Spoons and Such

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Dave Fisher

I finished carving a few eating spoons and bowls recently.  There are many factors to consider when making objects such as these that will be held and used daily.  First among these is wood choice.  Relatively dense hardwoods with tight … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, cherry, patterns, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Maple Hen

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Dave Fisher

I just finished a hen bowl in maple and left it natural except for the bit of red paint on the comb.  Besides the lack of paint on the body, I made a couple other changes compared to those I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bird bowls, bowls, layout, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Shrink Pots, Paint and Lettering

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Dave Fisher

    If weep you must, then weep; but weep that tears must be, and be Gentle and grow as, weeping to the ground, the willow tree; And grace will come, lighting the eyes of heaven, after thee. — Catherine … Continue reading →

Posted in Lettering, paint, patterns, quotes and excerpts, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 24 Comments