Category Archives: quotes and excerpts

Spring Snow and Wood Storage

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Dave Fisher

A book that I return to often is The Heart of Thoreau’s Journals edited by Odell Shepard.  One interesting aspect is comparing Thoreau’s notes for a particular time of year to my own observances; his March to my March. Thoreau … Continue reading →

Posted in drying, finding wood, green woodworking, nature, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 14 Comments

“When I am Among the Trees”

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Dave Fisher

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. —Mary Oliver, from the poem “When I am Among the Trees”

Posted in nature, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged | 8 Comments

Revisiting the Ale Duck

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Dave Fisher

It had been a while since I carved an ale bowl, so it was fun to make another recently, in this case an ale duck.  I’ve written several posts about ale bowls, including some that go into my carving process, but  … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bird bowls, carving, cherry, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

True Hope is Swift

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Dave Fisher

True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings. Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.           — William Shakespeare, Richard III, Act V, Scene ii I knew I had to carve that first line … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Quiet Hen

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Dave Fisher

Noise proves nothing.  Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid. Mark Twain, Following the Equator (1897) No asteroid under this chicken.  Since my last post, I finished her with oil … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, paint, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

There’s No Blemish

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Dave Fisher

In nature there’s no blemish but the mind, None can be called deformed but the unkind. — William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act III, scene iv As I was cutting and collecting this storm-fallen silver maple, I noticed in the end-grain … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, finding wood, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Being at Ease

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Dave Fisher

Every once-in-a-while, I get an itch to make another post-and-rung chair.  I really haven’t made too many, but I love the processes:  riving the parts, shaving at the horse, weaving the seat.  My first was fifteen years ago, following my … Continue reading →

Posted in books, green woodworking, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Wander to Wonder

Posted on May 27, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I guess I can’t get Tolkien’s words out of my mind.  This is the second time in a few months that I’ve carved the same line onto a bowl: “Not all those who wander are lost.” I wrote a post about … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Lettering, nature, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Making Things from Trees

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Dave Fisher

  Not long ago, this book arrived in the mail, an unexpected and thoughtful gift from a friend.  In it, Robert Penn writes of his experience of felling one ash tree in Herefordshire and having as many things made from … Continue reading →

Posted in books, finding wood, green woodworking, nature, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Fish Say…” Shrink Pot

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Dave Fisher

As I was shaving down the walls of this cherry shrink pot, I couldn’t help but notice a few small tight pin knots, mostly because the swirling grain direction around them was causing me fits.  Then I thought they might … Continue reading →

Posted in cherry, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, shrink box, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments