About a third of my business comes in in November and December. Christmas shoppers buy a lot of wooden bowls.

I took Oscar to the vet yesterday to be neutered. His vet had recommended that we wait until he was two years old to be neutered because he is a giant breed.

My son Stephen is building a house here on the farm. He and his wife are doing pretty much all of the work themselves.

My sync cable came yesterday so I was able to photograph the bowls that were waiting to be put up on the website

When you sell almost exclusively on the internet, pictures of your product are vitally important.

Continuing the theme of wide plank platters, today’s entry is makore. I’ve had this plank for at least 7 or 8 years. I have made four platters from this plank previously.

When I get a beautiful plank I try to ration it. I make one bowl then return the plank to the wood room. Eventually I use up the plank.

Both variations of the name are correct. I use boxelder. The botanical name is Acer negundo. Boxelder is in the maple family.

I’ve just discovered that I can’t accept international orders on this website. I’m very disappointed, to say the least.

In this case I’m talking about turning planks into platters. Wide planks can be a great source of one day projects. Because the wood is already dry it can be finish turned in one sitting.

Last year a huge hickory tree behind our cottage died suddenly. It was over 36” wide at the base and very, very tall.

After several months of waiting (almost a year) my 1960’s Hyster QC20 three wheel forklift is in my shop. It was a bit of an ordeal.

Natural edge bowls can be very beautiful. There is a wonderful contrast between the smooth bowl and the rough bark.

Though I very rarely work with exotic lumber I have collected an assortment of planks over the years that are rich in color, figure or both.

When turning a bowl from a plainsawn plank, you have a choice, rings up or rings down.

All of my life, I have defined my success by my accomplishments. How much can I do in a single day, how high can I climb the ladder of success.

The older I get, the more patient I am. Patience has never been one of my natural virtues. For me, it is an acquired virtue, one that has developed over time.

Inspiration ebbs and flows, at least for me. In the shop it’s easier, I have so many dry green bowls waiting to be finish turned.