Category Archives: patterns

Getting Colorful at Pete’s

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I returned home a week ago from the most recent Bowl Exploration class at Peter Galbert Workshops. This was the third time I’ve taught this class and each iteration has seen a change or two. This time around, we carved … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, classes, finding wood, paint, patterns, teaching, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

A New Tree Design

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Dave Fisher

With about six more weeks until my March class at Peter Galbert Workshops, I’ve designed an alternate pattern for the handles of the bowls we’ll be carving. We’ll practice the methods for both designs, and students will have the option … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, paint, patterns, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Ambrosia Maple Bowl — Butterflies Included

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Dave Fisher

I should take my own advice. I tell people to be careful to look for the tiniest checks in the end grain of a log because they will open up as the bowl dries. If a log section has been … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, figure, finding wood, patterns, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Silly Putty Cherry Bowl… and Three Spoons

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Dave Fisher

What I make is usually dependent on what bits of tree become available. Responding to each piece is a fun challenge. When I checked out a small cherry tree that had fallen over in a yard, it had already been … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, cherry, patterns, proportions, sketch, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Gouge Thoughts: Sharpening, Sweep, Size

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Dave Fisher

In thirty years of teaching, I’ve learned (and sometimes failed to remember) the value of preparation beforehand and flexibility once things get started. I’ve been doing a lot of preparation for my upcoming class. Materials, logistics, and many other things. … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, patterns, sharpening, teaching, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Apple Wood Bowl and Leaf Patterns

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Dave Fisher

I roughed this bowl out of a green apple log almost a year ago. It’s just under 5″ end-to-end; you can cradle it in one hand. Next time, I’ll make a bigger one. It will be a lot easier! This … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, layout, nature, patterns, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Whale Bowl

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Dave Fisher

I’m not as obsessed as Captain Ahab, but this whale has been surfacing in my mind for a couple years. I think the idea for it came from carving bowls like this with the flutes on the end panels. They … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, paint, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Butterfly Chips

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Dave Fisher

Don’t worry, the title doesn’t refer to a new snack trend. It’s that time of year when, like many woodworkers, I try to get a few gifts finished in time. One of them is a set of three kitchen spoons from a … Continue reading →

Posted in patterns, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Applewood Bowl — Finished

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Dave Fisher

A few months ago, I wrote a post about the early stages of carving this little apple bowl. After it dried, I was trying to sort out how to go about carving the leaf design on the side panel. I … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Article in the Works

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Dave Fisher

I’m going to do an article on the Bowl-from-a-Plank with Fine Woodworking Magazine. It’s been a little while since my last article, so I’m especially looking forward to it. Everyone at Fine Woodworking is a pleasure to work with, and … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, layout, patterns, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , | 20 Comments