Category Archives: trees

Thankful for Birds and Trees

  This past summer, we were fortunate to have a pair of wrens make a home in our yard.  We enjoyed watching them flit around and hearing them sing.  It also reminded me of my grandmother who loved her “Jenny … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Mulberry Rooster Bowl

In summer, the birds and I eat the mulberries from my neighbor’s tree.  We have a deal; the birds get the high ones and I get the low ones.  The other way around proved to be far too dangerous. A … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, finding wood, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Two Upcoming Exhibitions

If you’re in the neighborhoods of Asheville, NC or Rockport, ME, there are two exhibitions coming up that may interest you. Opening first is Spoonin’: A Showcase of Handcrafted Spoons that will run from 14 September through 13 October at … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, events, spoons, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Welcome Sign

I’ve never come across a redwood tree in my neck of the woods, but now I’ve carved the wood for the first time.  I’ve had this board (18″ x 9 1/2″ x 1″) kicking around since it was given to … Continue reading

Posted in Lettering, trees, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

First Snow

This weekend brought us our first significant snowfall of the winter, about a foot waiting for my snowshoes.  Here are a few photos from yesterday’s walk, along with an excerpt from the poem First Snow by Mary Oliver who passed … Continue reading

Posted in nature, photography, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Slippery Elm Bowls

There’s no better way to understand the working properties of a wood species than to carve a chunk of it.  Its character is revealed through experience with it,  including subtle nuances that are difficult to communicate.  Different trees within the … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, finding wood, paint, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Greenwoodworking in White Oak

“One word, no spaces,” specified Jennie Alexander when she requested this sign.  Not only was I not going to argue with the one who coined the term, I was thrilled for the opportunity to make something so meaningful for someone … Continue reading

Posted in books, green woodworking, layout, sketch, teaching, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Memorial Bowl

This tulip poplar log came to me with a history.  John’s son-in-law explained to me that John watched this tree grow and would often comment on its simple beauty and growth when they were together.  A couple years ago, John … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, Lettering, nature, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

“When I am Among the Trees”

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

Putting the Wood in the Driver’s Seat

One of the things I enjoy most about greenwood carving is the challenge of making the most out of the wood that becomes available.  The individual characteristics of the log or branch drive the design, while I navigate among the … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, carving, drying, finding wood, Lettering, spoons, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments