Spoon Commission

I attended my first national woodturning symposium of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) last month, held in Hartford, CT. There I met wooden spoon collector, Norman Stevens, who had a small portion of his vast collection on display. Cheeky me, I introduced myself, sharing that, while I spend most of my time as a woodturner, I have discovered and appreciate the satisfaction of using simple hand tools to carve spoons.

We exchanged business cards, and about 10 days later, I received a request to carve him a spoon. I suggested the spoon be carved from the maple tree harvested at the Robert Frost Farm, in Derry, NH. This tree is said to be the inspiration for many of Frost's poems, including "Tree At My Window". I was there for the harvesting in 2007, documenting the entire day with photographs. Mr. Stevens was thrilled with the proposal, since he is originally from Nashua, NH.






I started working on the Frost Maple spoon today. But before I touched that valuable wood, I first carved a prototype from a lilac branch, which appears in the upper left corner of the photo. I often make prototypes which help me work out design ideas, form and proportions. And for this project, I'm carving two identical spoons. There's simply too much riding on this commission to risk making a mistake, especially near the very end.



I'll document this project, too, and post my progress on this Blog. I think it's fitting, that the tool I'm using in the bottom photo, with the curved blade, was hand-made by Del Stubbs, a former woodturner. I'm using this tool to carve out the concave scoop portion.

Binh Pho Coming Here!

I am honored to host a world-class woodturning artist, Binh Pho on June 12 & 13, 2010. His work can be viewed here, at his website: http://www.angelfire.com/il2/binhpho/

On Saturday, he will be demonstrating how he creates his thin-walled woodturned vessels by piercing them with high speed dental drill bits. Then using airbrushes, he paints scenes that depict events or stories drawn from his life.

On Sunday, a fortunate few will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop, learning the techniques he uses to create his unique works or art.

And yes, I am a fortunate one :^)

I am sooooo looking forward to this, as I have been an admirer of his work since I became addicted to woodturning almost ten years ago. Need to go clean up my studio now!

I just confirmed the forecast for the upcoming holiday weekend, and we'll be starting out with some beautiful fall weather! So there's nothing to keep you from getting out and enjoying it. And while you're out, make sure you stop by my Open Studio. Below are a few more samples of Bruce and Jill's artwork that you'll find this weekend, Saturday through Monday, (October 10-12) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.







Jill will have the above two original watercolors, framed and matted, on display. I had a private showing of these last night, and they're really spectacular!




O.K., you're probably wondering, "Where's the woodturning photos?" Come to my open studio! Photos are great, but there's something very tactile about wood...you want to pick up the piece...it's warm....turn it over in your hands....your palm follows the curve, smooth as a baby's bottom...

Yes, come to the studio and you can pick up and hold any woodturning you'd like. Maybe you'll like a piece so much that it just has to go home with you. Well, that can be arranged.

Open Studio Columbus Weekend

I've been in my timber frame barn for several months now, and am excited that my first Open Studio is fast approaching. For three days in October, the Columbus Holiday weekend, (Saturday, October 10th through Monday, October 12th) my studio will be open to the public, from 10 am to 5 pm. Watch while I create my turnings on the full-sized lathe. You'll also have an opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping, and be the very first to see and own some of my latest creations. You can view some of my latest designs at my website. http://livealifelessordinary.com

Joining me that weekend will be two other artists, Bruce Haber, who creates stunning pottery, and Jill Haber, a talented pen and ink and watercolor artist.
Below are samples of their work:








Weather permitting, Bruce will be working on one of his pottery wheels. If you've never seen how these are made, it's fascinating!

Is there a better way to spend an October day? Hop in your car and take advantage of the beautiful fall colors. After all, isn't this why we put up with those bitter harsh New England winters? And while you're out, stop by the studio for some apple cider, Bruce and Dave's yummy cookies and one-of-a-kind hand-made artwork.

What Color is Your Rainbow?

I stumbled on this site, after reading another woodturner's blog. I took the quiz, "What Color is Your Rainbow." This is my result. What's your color?

Your rainbow is shaded indigo and green.

What is says about you: You are a proud person. You feel strong ties to nature and your mood changes with its cycles. Friends count on you for being honest and insightful. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

http://spacefem.com/quizzes/rainbow">Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

What's on the carving table 7/09

As many of you know, I love to carve, spoons mostly. If you've visited my webpage and read the Artist's Statement, this will sound familiar. There is almost nothing more satisfying to me than sitting outside in the evening with a block of wood and a hand-held carving tool; it is a simple but gratifying pleasure.

I'm experimenting with some different designs. Here's what I'm working on this month, a black walnut ladle. I imagine it to be decorative only, because of the bead at the bottom of the scoop. I also intend to carve a stand that will compliment and mirror the design of the ladle itself. These take a long time to make; from this point, it's a lot of sanding by hand. When the ladle is done, I'll post the finished product.

MOVING DAY!!

After three long years it was time to move into the new studio. Here's how we moved the lathe.

This is the spot where my lathe will live -- and apparently where I will, too!

But the lathe wasn't the only thing to move that day. To get all the equipment moved, I once again called on the woodturning community. On Saturday, May 16, 2009, several friends gathered to help me with the move.

A few pieces of equipment -- the noisy ones -- were put on the second floor. Here's how we got them up there. A brace was constructed in the door opening at the top, and two block and tackles were rigged. Chains and ropes were secured around each piece; with one group on the bottom pulling on one rope, the block and tackle rigging moved the piece up, where another group at the door opening grabbed the equipment and pulled it through the door.

If you're interested in how this all came about, here's a link to the website, that contains a photo journal of the entire project over the three year period.

http://s123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/Donnaturns/