Category Archives: trees

Whittling A Julfågel

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Dave Fisher

Four years ago, I wrote about Phil Teeter and his Julfågels (“Christmas Birds”). A couple days ago, I learned that Phil passed away last month. I went out back, cut a little branch junction and whittled a Julfågel. What fun … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, green woodworking, paint, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Walnut Tray and Autumn Leaves

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Dave Fisher

This black walnut tray started out as an experiment in rehydrating kiln dried wood. One of the carvers in my October class asked me if I had ever tried soaking a block of kiln dried wood to bring it back … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, nature, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

More than Wood: Black Walnut Season

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Dave Fisher

You’ve got to watch your head walking around here in October as the black walnut trees drop their heavy fruits. A walk is accompanied by a chorus of soft plinks and solid thunks. The plinks are acorns, the thunks are … Continue reading →

Posted in historical reference, nature, quotes and excerpts, sketch, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments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

Walnut Tray/Bowl with Tree Footnotes

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Dave Fisher

When I finished carving this walnut tray/bowl last week, I had no particular plans for the foot. As I looked at the broad canvas of walnut wood, an idea came to mind for a representation of forest trees rooted along … Continue reading →

Posted in paint, patterns, sketch, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | 15 Comments

Streamside Treasure in the Allegheny National Forest

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Dave Fisher

Over the weekend, a friend and I headed to the Allegheny National Forest, less than a two-hour drive from my home in western Pennsylvania. We hiked up along a small stream, fishing a little along the way. A steady light … Continue reading →

Posted in books, nature, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

First bowl of 2025

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Dave Fisher

This is the bowl I was carving in a post in early November. It was nice to carve 2025 on the foot. 4s aren’t as interesting to carve. I decided to do a small painted scene on the foot of … Continue reading →

Posted in paint, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged | 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

Fall Fluttering

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Dave Fisher

My workshop is our attached garage at one end of the house. While it’s not an idyllic cabin-shop among the trees, I did get pretty lucky that there is a grove of quaking aspens just outside one window. For much … Continue reading →

Posted in nature, quotes and excerpts, sketch, trees, Uncategorized, video, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

“A Crust — a Crumb” Walnut Bowl

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Dave Fisher

It’s been a week since I’ve returned from teaching an October class at Peter Galbert Workshops. I carved this walnut bowl in July and took it along as an example for the students. I’ve decided to offer it for sale … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, Lettering, teaching, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments