Author Archives: Dave Fisher

Chip Carving for Warlike Men and School Girls

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Dave Fisher

It is difficult to conceive the contradictory fact that this apparently simple form of art [chip carving] was once the exponent of a struggling desire for refinement on the part of fierce and warlike men, and that it should, under … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, historical reference, patterns, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Almost Ready for Ale

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I finished carving a couple personal-size ale bowls over the weekend.  These are the two I mentioned having roughed out in my recent post about ale bowls.  I haven’t oiled them yet, but I thought I’d share some photos of … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, historical reference, holding, layout, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

A Moment with Charles Schulz

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I am still searching for that wonderful pen line that comes down when you are drawing Linus standing there, and you start with the pen up near the back of his neck, and you bring it down and bring it … Continue reading →

Posted in quotes and excerpts, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Ale Bowls

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Dave Fisher

  Today, most people limit their drinking from bowls to the sipping of cereal milk, but there is a long tradition of drinking from bowls.  Ale bowls are a rich part of that tradition. I have done a little research … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, green woodworking, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Every Goose a Swan

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Dave Fisher

WHEN all the world is young, lad, And all the trees are green; And every goose a swan, lad, And every lass a queen; — Charles Kingsley, Young and Old Charles Kingsley’s simple wonderful lines of youthful optimism were running through my … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Gouge Choice

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Nearly all of my work is left from the sharp edge of a paring gouge.  I discussed the process and tools in some detail in this post last year — and this one. Lately, I’ve received a few questions asking … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, sketch, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

Weekend in New England

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Dave Fisher

The folks at Plymouth CRAFT were kind enough to invite me to spend a July weekend by the shore — and I can bring my axe!  I’ll be teaching a weekend class in bowl carving, and I’m excited to see … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, events, teaching, Uncategorized, video | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Enduring Spoon Collection of Norman D. Stevens

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Dave Fisher

To all spoon makers, past or present and known or unknown, throughout the world for providing us with basic utensils that may feed our body but are also often beautiful small sculptures that feed our mind and soul.  You bring … Continue reading →

Posted in books, green woodworking, quotes and excerpts, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Adaptable Shaving Horse

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I was rooting around in the basement last weekend, and came upon a blast from the past: an attachment for my English-style shaving horse.  It was the beginning of the idea that ultimately resulted in my bowl horse.  Since writing the … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 18 Comments

More Spoons

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Before I return to bowls, I wanted to post these six spoons I’ve finished.  Again, most of these are black cherry (Prunus serotina), but a couple are border privet (Ligustrum obstusifolium).   There are areas on my walks that are … Continue reading →

Posted in finding wood, green woodworking, spoons, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 7 Comments