Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bright Shrink Pot

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Dave Fisher

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” That poetry excerpt may look familiar.  I shared it last … Continue reading →

Posted in paint, patterns, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Playing With Cool Sticks

Posted on June 23, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Green woodworking can imply more than just the general notion of working wood that is still relatively fresh with a high moisture content.  Among other things, the term connotes the idea of working with nature, sensitively considering the unique attributes … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, cherry, figure, finding wood, green woodworking, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Questions from Buzzards Bay

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Who was that masked man? That’s just one of the questions I’ve been pondering since my return from a week in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.  As I looked through some photos from two bowl carving classes and the “Spoon Day” event … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, events, Persons, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Bitty Bowl

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Dave Fisher

That’s either a mutant lemon or a really small bowl.  As you probably guessed, it’s a small bowl — less than nine inches long (8 7/8″ x 3 3/4″ x 2 1/4″ high).  It came from this 5″ diameter branch … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, finding wood, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

The Gladness of the River

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Dave Fisher

It avails not, neither time or place—distance avails not, I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence, I project myself, also I return—I am with you, and know how it is. … Continue reading →

Posted in nature, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Welcome Sign

Posted on May 18, 2019 by Dave Fisher

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

Thoreau and the Wooden Tray

Posted on May 11, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Not long ago, a friend referred me to an unabridged entry in Henry David Thoreau’s journal.  Here’s the first paragraph: October 19, 1858: Barrett’s apprentice, it seems, makes trays of black birch and of red maple, in a dark room … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, axe, green woodworking, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Fluted Dragon

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Here’s the ale bowl from my recent post on orthodontics, now completed.  I carved flutes along the exterior of this one.  The gouge I use for fluting depends upon the effect I want and the curvature of the exterior itself.  … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, cherry, patterns, proportions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Yup’ik Bentwood Bowls

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Among the many traditions of bowl carving is the Yup’ik method of bending a separate length of wood that attaches to the hollowed base and serves as a higher rim.  The interaction between material, hands, eyes — and teeth — … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Dragon Orthodontics

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Dave Fisher

I roughed out this cherry ale bowl during the green stage months ago, and now I’ve gotten around to refining it in the dry stage, including carving a set of choppers, a point of pride for any dragon. After sketching … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, carving, cherry, patterns, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments