Category Archives: Uncategorized

Update on the Upcoming Workshop Transition

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Dave Fisher

The house project has been progressing in spite of the typical delays and hiccups. It has been inspiring to meet and watch the many skilled tradespersons working on the project. From the framers, to the electrician, to the HVAC pros, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Carving the Leaves

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Dave Fisher

Following a couple recent posts on carving a sign in white oak, here and here, there were some questions about how I carved the leaves. Below are two photos of the leaves before and after painting. I’ll expand on my … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

New Bowl Horse Plans and Tutorial

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Dave Fisher

Over twenty years ago, I designed and built my first bowl horse and it has been an important carving partner for me ever since. I use it for every bowl, but also for shrink pots, spoon blanks, and all sorts … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, events, holding, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Exterior Sign in White Oak: Finished

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Dave Fisher

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post about carving this exterior sign in white oak. Since then, I’ve painted the leaves and letters, built and installed the cap, and finished it with exterior oil. Here’s a few shots from … Continue reading →

Posted in Lettering, paint, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments

Exterior Sign in White Oak Underway

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been designing and carving an exterior sign for a cottage called “Minglewood.” Above is the sign with the carving portion complete, and below is my early small sketch of the design. The cap boards, which were inspired by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 24 Comments

Marvels in the Mud

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Dave Fisher

Other than a few days of really cold temperatures, things have been mild around here this winter, with more rain than snow. You’d better have your galoshes on for a tromp across open ground. Saturday, temperatures dropped down to about … Continue reading →

Posted in nature, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Bowl from a Plank: Part 2

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Dave Fisher

Back to the “bowl from a plank” that I started in this post a couple weeks ago. After preparing the blank and laying out the hollow and rim, I began to hollow the bowl. Remember, this plank was completely dry. … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, finding wood, Lettering, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

For a Christmas Workbench

Posted on December 22, 2022 by Dave Fisher

I couldn’t help it. As a kid, when I was handed a Christmas package that seemed likely to contain clothing or some other uninteresting stuff, I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Packs of tube socks and underwear were politely acknowledged, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Lettering, Uncategorized | 16 Comments

Bowl from a Plank

Posted on December 11, 2022 by Dave Fisher

Sourcing, storing, and/or processing green logs can be a challenge for some people based on location and other circumstances. There are ways around it. I’ve written a few posts that feature bowls carved from dry wood, or other creatively-sourced blanks. … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, finding wood, layout, patterns, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

My New Old Arkansas Stone

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Dave Fisher

A whetstone is no carving instrument, And yet it maketh sharp the carving tool; And if you see my efforts wrongly spent, Eschew that course and learn out of my school; For thus the wise may profit by the fool, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lettering, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments