Author Archives: Dave Fisher

Singing in the Shop

The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. — E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web I know nothing about crickets, other than there is one hanging out in my workshop and I like the way … Continue reading

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In a Bowl Care May Not Be

The inspiration for this bowl goes back to the Middle Ages.  It seems that the unpopular English King John (the same that inspired the legend of Robin Hood) planned to build a hunting lodge (another version suggests a royal road) … Continue reading

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Reflections on the Marsh

If you ever are part of a class with Plymouth CRAFT, be prepared to employ all of your senses beyond the work itself.  Between the beautiful venues, the mouthwatering flavors of Paula Marcoux’s hand crafted lunches, and the sense of comradery, the whole … Continue reading

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Aspen/Poplar/Popple Ale Bowl

I’m settling back in after teaching a bowl carving class (not ale bowls) in the Plymouth, Mass. area with Plymouth CRAFT.  More about that great experience in another post before long. Meanwhile, one of the tasks on my list today is … Continue reading

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What’s Wrong with this Edge?

Look at the lines of reflection on the beautiful polished surface.  The polish is good.  The fact that the lines of reflection take a bit of a nosedive as they reach the cutting edge is a problem, and a very … Continue reading

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Ale Hen

In one of my conversations with Beth Moen at Greenwood Fest, we talked about the use of aspen as a traditional wood for bowl carving.  Beth said that she liked Aspen because, although it is a relatively soft hardwood, the … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, historical reference, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments

Swallows in Wood and in Motion

Last week, I finished these two swallow inspired bowls, one in maple and the other in cherry.  Then I found myself in Lou’s barn, a swallow haven. My friend Lou is a part-time sawyer who knows more about trees than … Continue reading

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For Peace Comes Dropping Slow

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow –William Butler Yeats, from The Lake Isle of Inisfree  

Posted in bowls, carving, green woodworking, photography, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Time for a Shave?

  A few days ago Chris Schwarz shared a post on the Lost Art Press blog about an old Estonian scorp used for general hollowing tasks.  Check out the post here.  Coincidentally, I had just stumbled upon the existence of … Continue reading

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Behind the Mask

Last week, I found myself in a house with this intriguing wooden mask on display.  It was about 17 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 7 1/2 inches deep.  I know very little about African masks, but to my untrained … Continue reading

Posted in adze, finding wood, green woodworking, historical reference, holding, sketch, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , | 3 Comments