Category Archives: bird bowls

Every Goose a Swan

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

Dancing with Nature

What a privilege it is to collaborate with Nature.  Green wood is a medium that has a lot to say; there is no blank canvas.  Nature is a dance partner, and she usually takes the lead. Especially in pieces like … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, layout, nature, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green

So here is the finished little sumac bowl that I discussed in this earlier post.  No coloring of any kind has been added to this piece; the wood is just that wild.  I like the color against the little tangerines.  Well, at … Continue reading

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Overlooked Hooks and Crooks

Here’s to the overlooked.  Like the next guy, I appreciate the smooth curves of a well-made hook knife or the rich brown tones of a piece of walnut.  But last week I devoted some attention to a hook and tree that often go unnoticed. It … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, finding wood, green woodworking, holding, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Curly Bird

I’m looking forward to writing about this past whirlwind weekend full of knives, wood chips, and beards.  But, meanwhile, I’ll post some photos of this bird-inspired bowl carved from Chinese chestnut.  I hope the egg might provide some sense of … Continue reading

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A Windfall Goose

I found this stylized goose bowl in the curve of a wind-fallen cherry tree.  Usually, we think of “finding” spoons in the crooks of tree branches, but I occasionally find bowls as well. Grain flowing through the form allows for lightness, … Continue reading

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The Compass Goose

  I recently completed this commission for a goose-inspired bowl in walnut.  In some ways it may seem to be quite a departure from a “regular” bowl form, but the process is essentially the same.  As is typical, I work … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, layout, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sand Bags

Sand bags are usually called upon in times of life-and-death seriousness; like for parapets and levees.  I have one in my shop that serves a less intense purpose.  The last few evenings, I have been carving and refining a walnut … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, carving, holding, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , | 6 Comments

I hope you love birds too.

I hope you love birds too.  It is economical.  It saves going to heaven. -Emily Dickinson It is very pleasant work carving bird bowls.  I start with a branch and a few roughly sketched lines.  After much bulk is removed … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, cherry, holding, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments