Category Archives: shrink box

Boring Shrink Pots

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Dave Fisher

To make a shrink pot, regardless of form, you’ve got to bore at least one hole through end-grain. I typically use an antique T-handle auger for that task. In this old post, I show how I sharpen it and use … Continue reading →

Posted in shrink box, tools, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Leaf Pattern Shrink Pot

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Dave Fisher

This leaf pattern is a design that I’ve been experimenting with on bits of scrap for a long time, tweaking this and that. This four-sided shrink pot, made from a red maple log, was a good canvas for it, and … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, patterns, shrink box, Uncategorized | 17 Comments

A Couple Tall Ones

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Dave Fisher

I’ve just finished two tall shrink pots. Each represents an experiment with texture and pattern, respectively, and I plan on making a small example of each to take along to my classes at Pete Galbert’s later this year. Meanwhile, both … Continue reading →

Posted in paint, patterns, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments

Three Shrink Pots

Posted on November 1, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I’ve finished three shrink pots that are available for purchase. I’ll provide some details about each of them below. If you’re interested, please email me at dandkfish@gmail.com. Prices include shipping. Thanks. I’ll start with the pot on the left, Riven … Continue reading →

Posted in shrink box, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Strange and Unusual Shrink Pot

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Dave Fisher

In the 1988 movie Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder, as Lydia, professes her strangeness with quiet self-assurance: “I myself am strange and unusual.” About a year ago I was asked to incorporate that line into a piece, and the idea developed in … Continue reading →

Posted in design, Lettering, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Four Shrinkpots and Some Tool Thoughts

Posted on September 13, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I’ve just finished four shrink pots that are available for purchase. They are made from various wood species, which I’ll detail below. All are finished with a mixture of linseed oil and beeswax. The lidded ones all have tight-fitting lids … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, paint, shrink box, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Moby Dick Book Box

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Dave Fisher

There’s a long tradition of making boxes and other items in the form of books. I’ve made a few now, each in a different way. In an old post I showed one joined from several pieces and another example made … Continue reading →

Posted in books, historical reference, Lettering, paint, patterns, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Birch Ummik and Woodworking in Estonia

Posted on August 21, 2025 by Dave Fisher

Making and using shrink pots for grain and food storage is an ancient practice. In one of the greatest woodworking books, Woodworking in Estonia, Ants Viires, dedicates several pages (89-95) to it. In various regions of Estonia, these containers were … Continue reading →

Posted in books, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Cracked Pot

Posted on August 13, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I roughed out this cherry shrink pot with split sides a few years ago. It cracked a couple days into drying, leaving a 1/2″ wide gap. It’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes you get lucky. My first inclination was to … Continue reading →

Posted in cherry, Lettering, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Barefoot Shrink Pot

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Dave Fisher

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet. Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet (1923) Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by the magical surface of a tree when the bark peels off cleanly in … Continue reading →

Posted in finding wood, Lettering, photography, quotes and excerpts, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 16 Comments