"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.

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

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

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

What a wonderful and unique bowl! What type of lathe are you using?

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

Meilie

Thanks for the look and the comments.

My shop lathe is a Rikon Midi Lathe with one bed extension.

For this piece I roughed out the blank on a larger lathe at our woodturners club and then brought the rough out back to my shop and did the finish turning.

If you get a chance please join us at the Chesapeake Woodturners meeting the 3rd Saturday of each month.
This month’s guest demonstrator is Jerry Whitehurst. You can find details on the club wedsite
www.chesapeakewoodturners.com

Cheers
Mike

-- Mike, Maryland, www.thewoodenquill.com