One-of-a-Kind Finds

Reverting back to form, I'm going to talk about wood this month. I work with wood on a daily basis. I understand wood far better than pottery or sewing or stained glass. I'm most comfortable discussing this wonderful natural material, so that's what you're getting from me this time.

I decided to pick out a few items that are true one-of-a-kind finds. No matter how many of these a particular artist might make, no two could ever be alike due to the unique nature of the woods used in these marvelous works of art.

Ash Bowl by MaxWood Creations

I don't turn wood. I want to turn wood, but a lathe is a big investment and there are several other items ahead of it on my list. In the meantime I'll just have to drool over the beautiful turn objects at DSG, not the least of which is this bowl by MaxWood Creations. As a useful kitchen utensil it is an abject failure because it has a hole in it. As a piece of art, however, it is pure greatness of the highest order!

From MaxWood Creations: "This Ash bowl is so cool! As it was being turned, a knot was worked out creating a void in the side of the bowl. And because it was turned when the wood was still green, the wood dried after it was completed, and as a result, the bowl changed shape a little bit. So the bowl is not perfectly round. But it is striking and very unique! It would be a great focal point on a side table, on a mantle, or in a curio."

This bowl deserves to occupy a place of honor in someone's home.

Spalted Maple Jewelry Box by Welcome Woods Workshop

Jewelry boxes. I plan to build some jewelry boxes in the next year, and I'll be referring to this one for inspiration. This wonderful box features contrasting wood, visible joinery (the splines on the corners), and sturdy, simple lines that let the beauty of the wood shine.

From Welcome Woods Workshop: "A simple yet elegant hand crafted, solid maple jewelry box. It is made from Spalted maple which I hand milled myself with a small chainsaw mill and came from a large maple tree in an old churchyard here on the Sunshine Coast. The top is made from black cherry as are the splines. It is finished with a durable varnish clear coat."

This box will stand out in just about any décor, yet the design won't get in the way of your jewelry.

Elemental Slide by Holzfurhaus

Yeah... One more piece that makes me regret not owning a lathe. I love working with walnut because of the feel of the wood under my tools and the wonderful smell. I can just imagine how nice it would be to turn a bowl out of walnut.

From Holzfurhaus: "This is another bowl in the Elemental series. It is made from walnut, with a sanded natural edge to make it a lilttle more intersesting. It has deep dark shades of walnut color. This is an ornamental piece not intended for food or liquid."

This bowl should be in my library right now. I know just the place for it...

Mantle Clock by Marko Wood Designs

Tim Marko is a friend of mine. He live a few miles away from me, and I plan to spend some time in his shop stealing every secret the man has about finishing wood. The clock you see above has some wonderful design elements -- visible joinery, through tenons, the spalted cottonwood face -- but the true beauty of a Tim Marko piece is how well he finishes the wood. He has a very specific go-to formula he uses, but I think the real trademark is in the loving care he pours into every square inch.

Tim Marko says: "This clock is made from ash and spalted cottonwood. It uses a quartz chime movement that plays on the quarter hour and counts the hour. It has a natural finish."

Jagged Maple Burl Vessel by Natural Selection Studio

This bowl/vase/upside-down cone is turned from a piece of maple burl, a misshapen, malformed bit of a maple tree that woodworkers prize for it's beauty. And that beauty has been enhanced here by the gouge and the lathe, imposing a mostly symmetrical form upon a natural mistake. The results speak for themselves. And the real genius of this design is leaving the natural "wild" edge at the rim.

Natural Selection Studio says: "This wonderful vessel is overflowing with interesting color and figure. It measures 5-3/4" tall by 4-1/2" wide at the rim. Need a focal point in your decor? This is it! Finished with walnut oil."

And it would make a fine focal point indeed!

I trust this little tour through the wooded regions of Design Style Guide has given you some design ideas of your own. Check out the other offerings from all our woodworkers. You won't be disappointed.

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Design Style Guide in Texas

The following products are handcrafted by Texans, still reeling from the after affects of Hurricane Ike:

Handmade Woodcarving by glassnwood.
Tiger Maple Pencil Post Bed by ShakaStudios.

Mandella by leathersculpture.

Mixing it Up by rhradcliffdesigns.

Curly Maple Candle Holder by jneale3.

Bowls - functionality mixed with style

At its most basic, a bowl is a vessel suitable for holding something - food, coins, rocks, treasures, etc. From this basic principle, though, variations on the look of a bowl is as deep and wide as the bowlmaker's imagination.
I have gone on a bowl hunt and put together a selection of bowls as imaginative as they are functional and made from a variety of materials from wood to clay to glass - enjoy!

WOOD...

Spiral Bowl (no. 51) by woodbyderaud is half walnut, half maple - a beautiful juxtaposition of dark and light woods spun into a uniquely shaped bowl.


This sumptuous bowl from Sewelson Woodcraft is made from Australian Jarrah Burl (a common species of eucalyptus). It is lathe-turned and maintains the open fissures for added texture and elegance.

This fabulous bowl from myturningshop measures 9.5" wide by 2.5" tall and is made from a rare maple called Ambrosia Maple, after the ambrosia beetle that causes changes in the wood's color to create this beautiful design - lovely!

POTTERY...

This fascinating raku bowl by Rob Drexel has an even more fascinating process behind it, which you should click and read about! The designs are made using horse hair and the lip of the bowl is painted with gold leaf. It measures 9.25" wide by 3" deep.



This set of 5 gorgeous diamond-shaped porcelain dip bowls by Amy Esther are hand-stamped and decorated with a golden glaze with a hint of green from the kiln.

Like most of their pieces, this rimmed serving bowl by Dishfuls of Doodles is sure to brighten up your table with its bold, colorful designs!

This beautifully subtle large party bowl from SheaClay is glazed a creamy-rust color, measures 12.5" wide by 4" deep and wears a lovely spiral design around the rim.

This small stoneware bowl from Pat's Pottery, with its deep blue outside and jade inside, adds speckled color to functionality and is sure to make a latte that much tastier!

GLASS...

This handblown glass bowl from CorporanGlass is apple green and white with squared designs. Completely functional as a table centerpiece or fruit bowl, it measures 9.25" wide by 5" deep.

This luscious 6"x6" square bowl by MagiCat is decorated with fused glass adding a little shimmer to its bold black and red motif.

ETC...

Fun Fact: Gourd bowls predate pottery as a handicraft. This beautifully shaped mottled gourd bowl with its painstaking pine needle bound opening by midnightcoiler took first prize at the North Carolina Gourd Festival!

I'd like to end with this fabulously lovely olive green felted bowl by GretchensCreations. It is made from 100% wool fabric and adorned with a beautiful burnt orange design of gingko leaves and berries.