"In Transition" - A Natural Edge Walnut Calabash

That’s one great looking piece. Those edges look awful fragile.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

thats a really creative piece. like Gary said those edges do look fragile,

Beautiful piece!

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

Gorgeous piece of art. How did you dry it? Thank you for sharing.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

That is absolutely incredible work! I love the thin walls, but cannot imagine how you were able to keep the bark intact.

Can you tell us how you turned it? Was it turned from an oval log to acquire the shape? If so, how do you keep from chipping out each time the knife re-enters the wood when you get past the 8 inches? And just how do you keep the fragile bark intact? We’ve never heard of turning green wood to finished thickness before drying. Everything we’ve read always says to leave it somewhat thick and then turn again after drying. Did you microwave it at all? Obviously, you certainly know how to turn. We would have guessed that you used a grinder or some other manual method. We’d love to know more. Can you write a blog about it?

This is a truly spectacular piece!

-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

Thanks for all the great comments and questions. Give me a couple of days and I will write this project up for the group. Since the piece is currently on display at the Maryland Federation of the Arts Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD this is the only picture I have so unfortunately you can’t see the bottom.

For those that may be unaware “In Transition” is turned as a calabash. That is the bowl has no foot at the base and is turned round to mimic the shape of a gourd. The inspiration came from a demonstration of historic Hawaiian bowls which often took this shape so that the bowl could be nestled in the sand and always be stable. The base that the piece sits on is turned from another piece of walnut and is unattached to the bowl. This permits the bowl to be displayed at an angle pleasing to the owner or the environment.

More to come by the weekend.

Cheers Mike

-- Mike, Maryland, www.thewoodenquill.com

Mike,

This is a beautiful turning. The natural edge certainly adds to the visual interest of the piece. I would be interested in seeing your blog on this one.

Thanks for the post.

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

Very nice work

-- jeanmarc manosque france

These turnings are awsome! I just love them.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Great looking bowl!

Thanks for the post

Callum

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