Decisions, Decisions

I’ve got a pile of logs that is calling out to me. The logs need to be cut into sections and turned into bowl blanks. This is not the right time of year, I need to keep turning finished bowls to stock the store for the holiday season. The logs won’t wait though. They will go bad, at least the ends. I’m going to have to compromise, so beginning tomorrow, I’m doing half days finish turning and half days green turning (or at least making bowl blanks.)

The logs I’m most concerned with are small walnuts. I want to make them into natural edge bowls. I need to do that when they are fresh and the bark is still firmly attached. There are also some ironwood logs. I’ve never turned ironwood so I’m anxious to try one and see how it turns and how it looks. There are also a couple of maples. I always love turning maple and I don’t want them going bad.

I usually try to do all my green turning beginning mid-December and continuing into February. I use the waste material for firewood to heat the shop. The trimmings dry pretty quickly and make great kindling. I’m inclined to forget to keep the stove stoked when I’m turning so I often have to build a fire several times a day.

My wife Pennie is on vacation this week. I can usually talk her into painting the green bowls with Anchorseal. That’s a big help when I’m trying to get the most green bowls done in a day. Wish me luck, she has her days pretty well planned with crafting. She loves making things for Christmas and considers crafting the ultimate vacation. I can’t say anything, my idea of a great vacation is working in the shop.

We are dog sitting my daughter’s dog Lulu this week. She is a small cattle dog that does not like Oscar. She chases him baring her teeth and lunges but never really bites him. It’s funny really because he could swallow her in one bite. He likes to play, she does not.

Below is a very pretty honey locust salad bowl I turned today. It’s big enough to serve 10-12 people.

#1997 Honey Locust Wooden Salad Bowl