Category Archives: trees

Finding the Spoon in the Crook

I like making spoons from crooks.  It makes for strong elegant spoons that let the tree be a design partner.  Besides, I like discovering the crooks. When a crook is split, the sinuous ergonomic profile of the spoon is revealed.  … Continue reading

Posted in cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, sketch, spoons, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Overlooked Hooks and Crooks

Here’s to the overlooked.  Like the next guy, I appreciate the smooth curves of a well-made hook knife or the rich brown tones of a piece of walnut.  But last week I devoted some attention to a hook and tree that often go unnoticed. It … Continue reading

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, finding wood, green woodworking, holding, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 Comments

The Patience of Trees

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. — Hal Borland, Countryman: A Statement of Belief, 1965 As the oil began to reveal the rich variations in each growth ring, I found myself thinking about the tree from which this bowl … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, green woodworking, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , | 9 Comments

The Organic Artist

Not long ago, in this post, I discussed my experiment of painting a spoon handle with home-made pigments from rocks.  A few of us were discussing that idea at Lie-Nielsen, when this book was recommended to me: The Organic Artist … Continue reading

Posted in books, paint, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Good in Everything

And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything. — William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, Act II Scene 1 For a couple hours earlier … Continue reading

Posted in nature, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

New Walnut Bowl

Last week, I spent some time along the Niagara River.  I saw the Falls again (I live only three hours away), and they are still thrilling.  But what I noticed more than ever before were the beautiful trees on my walks … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, patterns, sketch, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 6 Comments