May Newsletter
Busy Spring
It has been a fast-moving spring full of making and markets. Bud vases with a hidden glass vial have been high on my priority list of items to get done for the spring sales. I made them in walnut, ash, oak, cedar, maple and eastern redbud.
I have enjoyed exploring subtle variations in the forms of my vases. Often the piece of wood that I start with plays a role in dictating the final contour shape. If there is some interesting character, I try to balance the overall form with preserving the beauty in the wood, weather it’s the patterns made from decay, or a bark inclusion, or just contrasting heart and sapwood.
In addition to making vases this past month, I participated in the Wood Fest at Bethany Arts Community. I brought my mini lathe and demonstrated how I use it to make spinning tops as I did last year. I used glued up blanks of maple and walnut that I got from a friend and they were by far the most popular of all the tops that I made. They sold so fast that I didn’t even get a photo of them. This feedback lets me know that I should do more with combining different species in my spinning tops.
Another event that I be sure to attend each spring and fall is the biannual Spoon Carving Camp in northern New Jersey. This informal gathering of regional carvers is a great way for me to connect with other greenwood working artisans and practice new techniques with friends nearby to offer advice. While there for an afternoon, I carved a spoon from black birch leaving the bark on the handle, which I haven’t ever tried before. The other spoon I made was from tulip poplar. I chose that wood in the spirit of trying a new species, but it was spongy and stringy to work with. When I brought it home, it smelled so bad that I had to leave it outside to dry. It’s probably not worth finishing up at this point, but now I know it’s a problematic choice for carving.
Another small project that I recently did was making honey dippers for the Bartlett Arboretum to auction off in their annual fundraising gala. Mine are included in auction item #406. After making these four, I saw some for sale at my local grocery store and it made me proud of the versions that I’m able to produce.
The warmer weather has been a welcome chance for me to set up my lathe outside and get work done in the fresh air for a change. I’m currently working on more tableware for Chef Nicholas Leiss for his Oscine Dinner & Foraging Experience.
If you are curious to know what I’m working on more frequently than my monthly newsletter, I have started using Substack Notes to give a quick update on what I’m making on days when I’m in the shop. I’m also using the BeReal social network to show what I’m working on in the moment. I’m acornwoodshop in the BeReal app. I’m also posting regularly on Instagram as well.
Enjoy the springtime and I’ll write more next month.
Thanks for your updates! I enjoyed meeting you at Bartlett Arboretum and seeing your beautiful woodwork!
Great Spring issue!