Category Archives: Uncategorized

Gouge Choice

Nearly all of my work is left from the sharp edge of a paring gouge.  I discussed the process and tools in some detail in this post last year — and this one. Lately, I’ve received a few questions asking … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, sketch, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

Weekend in New England

The folks at Plymouth CRAFT were kind enough to invite me to spend a July weekend by the shore — and I can bring my axe!  I’ll be teaching a weekend class in bowl carving, and I’m excited to see … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, events, teaching, Uncategorized, video | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Enduring Spoon Collection of Norman D. Stevens

To all spoon makers, past or present and known or unknown, throughout the world for providing us with basic utensils that may feed our body but are also often beautiful small sculptures that feed our mind and soul.  You bring … Continue reading →

Posted in books, green woodworking, quotes and excerpts, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Adaptable Shaving Horse

I was rooting around in the basement last weekend, and came upon a blast from the past: an attachment for my English-style shaving horse.  It was the beginning of the idea that ultimately resulted in my bowl horse.  Since writing the … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 18 Comments

More Spoons

Before I return to bowls, I wanted to post these six spoons I’ve finished.  Again, most of these are black cherry (Prunus serotina), but a couple are border privet (Ligustrum obstusifolium).   There are areas on my walks that are … Continue reading →

Posted in finding wood, green woodworking, spoons, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 7 Comments

The Magic of a Shrink Box

There may be no project in green woodworking as magical as the making of a shrink box.  The magic happens slowly, but you still want to find somebody to ask, “Did you see that?!”  Maybe that’s why I can’t resist … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, green woodworking, patterns, shrink box, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Carving Round Bowls can be Super

If you’re going to make round bowls, why not use a lathe?  Well, because I’m chicken.  There’s something about a twenty pound chunk of wood spinning around at five hundred rpm that makes me not want to poke it with … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, layout, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Proof of the Workmanship of Risk

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and it put me in the mood to do a little early Spring cleaning in the shop.  Scattered around were these reminders of the “workmanship of risk.”  That was, of course, the phrase coined … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, drying, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Dancing with Nature

What a privilege it is to collaborate with Nature.  Green wood is a medium that has a lot to say; there is no blank canvas.  Nature is a dance partner, and she usually takes the lead. Especially in pieces like … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, layout, nature, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

On Flutes and Aging

I don’t know much about cheese or scotch, but I’ve heard they can improve if you just let them sit around awhile.  The same might be said for wood sometimes.  This maple bowl underway is from a log that hung around in … Continue reading →

Posted in green woodworking, holding, layout, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 12 Comments