Tag Archives: bird bowl

Carving Catalpa

Posted on September 6, 2020 by

When a friend of mine sent me this big chunk of fresh catalpa wood, some memories came to mind. When I was a kid we had a big catalpa tree in the yard and I had fun playing with the … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, finding wood, layout, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Knotty Story

Posted on March 22, 2020 by

This tale from my isolated workshop is actually quite tame compared to Boccaccio’s famous ones from the 14th Century told by a group of friends isolating themselves in an Italian villa; unfortunately timely circumstances. Amid the adjustments to the ever … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, bowls, layout, nature, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Mulberry Rooster Bowl

Posted on September 15, 2019 by

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

Rooftop Bird with 12/12 pitch

Posted on February 12, 2019 by

It’s been a couple years since I wrote this post about a bowl orientation I call a rooftop bowl.  In it, I discussed working with this type of blank and suggested experimenting with quarter-log splits and other angles.  Of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, finding wood, holding, layout, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

Bird Inspiration

Posted on July 18, 2018 by

The birds are singing in the rain about the small pond in front, the inquisitive chickadee that has flown at once to the alders to reconnoitre us, the blackbirds, the song sparrow, telling of expanding buds. Henry David Thoreau, journal … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, cherry, finding wood, nature, photography, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

A Bird in the Hand

Posted on October 16, 2017 by

I’ll be thrilled one day if I ever convince a chickadee to eat from my hand.  Until then, this little guy will have to do.  I carved him from a small maple crook, and learned the difficulties of carving small.  … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, cherry, nature, proportions, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 26 Comments

The Return of the Swallows

Posted on July 21, 2017 by

This little guy was in the pear tree yesterday morning.  I hadn’t made any in awhile, which is a shame because they are a lot of fun to make.  I based the design on the swallow and their graceful curves … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, patterns, spoons, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Swallows in Wood and in Motion

Posted on July 24, 2016 by

Last week, I finished these two swallow inspired bowls, one in maple and the other in cherry.  Then I found myself in Lou’s barn, a swallow haven. My friend Lou is a part-time sawyer who knows more about trees than … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, finding wood, nature, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Birding

Posted on June 18, 2016 by

While on a morning walk today, I spied a bird in this big branch crook.  The whole upper section of the branch above the crook had already died, so it was a good choice to collect. Smaller crooks will usually … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, finding wood, green woodworking, nature, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Birds Ready to Fly to Plymouth

Posted on May 26, 2016 by

In addition to starting some larger walnut bowls, I’ve been working to get some examples finished to take to Plymouth for the Greenwood Fest in a couple weeks.  Among them are some lettering examples, a couple medium-sized bowls, and some bird … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, cherry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments