Category Archives: historical reference

Cigar Box Reminder

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Lately, my evenings and weekends have been filled with non-carving matters, including tending to the needs of our house that was built in 1905.  When Kristin and I bought it in 1996, the same year we were married, we became … Continue reading →

Posted in historical reference, Persons, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 22 Comments

Treasures from Millersburg

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Dave Fisher

These T-handle augers weren’t the only treasures I found in Millersburg, Ohio last weekend at the Early American Artisans Fair.  I included some links in a previous post.  The Artisans’ Guild has some exciting plans, so its well worth a … Continue reading →

Posted in events, historical reference, teaching, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Täljfest 2019

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Dave Fisher

In my lectures at both Spoonfest and Täljfest, I referred to an excerpt from Mary Oliver’s poem Sometimes: Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. Astonishment comes easy at Sätergläntan, the traditional crafts school in … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, events, green woodworking, historical reference, paint, shrink box, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Spoonfest 2019

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Dave Fisher

I’m back from my first ever overseas adventure, and it was a thrilling and enriching one.  The English countryside, London, Stockholm, and the Swedish countryside.  Almost a week after my return, my head is still spinning with all I saw … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, events, green woodworking, historical reference, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Thoreau and the Wooden Tray

Posted on May 11, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Not long ago, a friend referred me to an unabridged entry in Henry David Thoreau’s journal.  Here’s the first paragraph: October 19, 1858: Barrett’s apprentice, it seems, makes trays of black birch and of red maple, in a dark room … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, axe, green woodworking, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Yup’ik Bentwood Bowls

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Among the many traditions of bowl carving is the Yup’ik method of bending a separate length of wood that attaches to the hollowed base and serves as a higher rim.  The interaction between material, hands, eyes — and teeth — … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Let Follansbee be Your Guide

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Dave Fisher

About a decade ago, my mind was blown by the boxes and furniture that Peter Follansbee was talking about on his blog.  There he was splitting up oak logs into boards and joining them together.  Well, how do you not … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, green woodworking, historical reference, publications, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Beaver Connections

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Since sharing some photos of beaver activity in a blog post a couple weeks ago I’ve made a few more beaver connections.  One goes way back to Aesop. If, like me, you weren’t familiar with that unsettling story, this should … Continue reading →

Posted in finding wood, green woodworking, historical reference, nature, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Transferred Touch

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Dave Fisher

Things men have made with wakened hands are awake through years with transferred touch, and go on glowing for long years. And for this reason, some old things are lovely warm still with the life of forgotten men who made … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, finding wood, historical reference, patterns, proportions, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 28 Comments

Look What Arrived From Brittany

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Dave Fisher

Yesterday, a package arrived from Jane Mickelborough.  After having the pleasure of getting to know Jane at Greenwood Fest 2017, I requested a porte-cuillères, a traditional Breton spoon rack that is meant to hang over the table.  It incorporates a … Continue reading →

Posted in historical reference, spoons, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments