Everyt now and then I hit upon one of those shapes that seem to be very popular. If I had a mold and could have made this bowl by plastic injection, I could have sold a bunch. As it was I did sell a bunch, but I had to make each one individually, out of either wild cherry or wormy maple.
I had turned one of these in cherry and one in wormy maple for a show I did in the fall of 2003. Both were purchased by a single person a few days before the show, and who graciously offered to let me display them with sold tags. That saved me a serious amount of panic, as I was short of what I wanted on the table. At least I would have some filler. Well, several people showed up during the course of the show who were very disappointed that they bowls were already sold. One lady tried to talk me into selling the one to her and making a second one for the previous gentleman. I was polite, but insistent, and while she almost walked, she decided she had to have one after all, and agreed to wait. Overall size is 11" in diameter and 5" high.
Here is a shot looking down. This was a very popular piece. If you keep reading, you will see the pictures of the maple version below.
This bowl was not quite so high, although it was very close to the same diameter as the one above, 11". It is approximately 3 1/2" high, so while it is the same general shape, it has a different look to it.
Looking down. Again, the finish is Watco Danish oil and buffed with the Beall wheel system.
Now here is a big bowl. This was turned on commission for a fellow turner who found the roughout sitting on the shelf and asked me to make it for him and his wife. I teased him a bit, asking him if he wanted me to let him sign his name to it. He thought about it, but thought he might be found out by the Mrs., so he told me to sign it myself. He asked for it unfinished, which happens to be my own favorite finish. This bowl is 14" in diameter, almost 6" high, and is well over 1" thick. While it is very heavy, it has a wonderful feel when it is being held in both hands. Even for me, holding it in one hand is a bit of a chore!
Looking down. This one will hold a lot of salad!
