Category Archives: finding wood

Going with the Flow

Back in June, I wrote a post about splitting a large maple crook.  Here it is again, sitting on a rock in the Little Shenango River.  The arch from head through tail follows the grain of the crook, and the … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, finding wood, green woodworking, nature, photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 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

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, finding wood, nature, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

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Posted in adze, finding wood, green woodworking, historical reference, holding, sketch, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Bowl for Beginners and Beyond

I had been thinking about an ideal bowl design for the Plymouth CRAFT class, now only a month away.  This sample bowl is the result of those thoughts.  In addition to providing challenges for development of various skills, I wanted … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, classes, drying, finding wood, layout, patterns, proportions, teaching, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Birding

While on a morning walk today, I spied a bird in this big branch crook.  The whole upper section of the branch above the crook had already died, so it was a good choice to collect. Smaller crooks will usually … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, finding wood, green woodworking, nature, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

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

More Spoons

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

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

Finding the Spoon in the Crook

I like making spoons from crooks.  It makes for strong elegant spoons that let the tree be a design partner.  Besides, I like discovering the crooks. When a crook is split, the sinuous ergonomic profile of the spoon is revealed.  … Continue reading

Posted in cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, sketch, spoons, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

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