Majestic

Majestic, indeed!

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

Amazing grain, interesting use of leather dyes.

-- ....next big purchase is wood for the next project, Mark

I guess I’m prejudiced because blue is my favorite color, but this is spectacular. What the color does for the grain is amazing.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I’m loving your blue “phase” lately Picasso. :) It’s not easy to make wood look nice when “colored” blue, but you do the best job of it, imo.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

...building up a beautiful portfolio of turnings!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

This is another amazing piece. It has such a beautiful color and grain pattern.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Another beautiful turning Joe, it is amazing how you get the colors you do get from the wood.

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

this piece is f ing amazing! your finishes make every piece just that much more amazing. i would love it if you did a small blog or vid on how you do your finishes. and if it’s your little secret i understand that to. great job as always.

-- Roper - master of sawdust-

Incredible colours, Well done.

Woody.

-- Woody, UK

Those are just absolutely awesome. If I ever get rid of all this spalted Maple, I’m going to give that process a try!

-- http://www.LanierandSons.com

I bet you get a spiral effect when you turn that one slowly Joe.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Those grain lines really play eye tricks. It looks great but I really have to know, where to do find the time to have a job?

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

I thought the last blue one was nice , Joe , but this one really takes the ribbon ! Great job : )

-- Dusty56@comcast.net

Brian. I do have a job that I am successful at. I usually spend a couple of hours most nights in the shop.

Thanks for all the kind remarks. I appreciate them all.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Beautiful piece! The lines are so elegant with the contrast you created. I want to touch it and feel the wonderful curves you created. Well done! Well done! Please creat and show more!

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Another one out of the park.

-- Michael A. Brailsford

Wow! What more can be said? Love the color.

-- Marty Ohio

Stunning!

have you ever tried combining this technique with gold leaf or mother of pearl inlay? I love the iridescent quality of these bowls. It would be interesting to see how it looked combined with something reflective. Thanks for sharing your work.

-- Adam, http://adamweisfurniture.com

If I’m not mistaken I think Catalpa grows in my area in Maryland. Where do you get your nicely grained Catalpa? Do you have to special order or hunt it down?

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

I really like this piece! Excellent execution!

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

stunning

-- www.robneves.com

I can’t believe I missed this the first time around. You really do some nice turning.

-- Maplewood, MN

Inspired by the beauty of this I bought some leather dye and tried it.
In a moderated forum such as this it’s hard to describe the result – “blotchy disgusting mess” doesn’t even get close. What’s the secret of getting an even coat on?

KnickKnack,

What kind of wood?
What grit did you sand to?
What brand of leather dye?

I typically use an open grained wood like catalpa, oak, ash…
I sand through 180 grit or 220 grit.
I use Fiebing’s leather dye, it is alcohol based.
I apply liberally, let it penetrate and soak in, and then rub off any excess.
I seal with 3-4 thin coats of either lacquer, polycrylic, or shellac prior to applying the liming wax. Too many or too thick will fill the open grain too much and will not leave enough grain for the liming wax.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Thanks for the reply.

It was pine, mostly end-grain.
Sanded to 1000
Brand is “Bufalo” (here in Portugal, not spoilt for choice, in fact, I had to go to Spain) – smells alcoholy.

I have some ash and oak offcuts – one day I’ll give it another go on that.

Trifern, really nice, thanks for sharing.

Do you spray the laquer, polycrylic,shellac?

Thanks

-- Fred, Georgia

Thanks Fred, yes I typically spray the finish on my dyed pieces.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.