| Project by VanDesignWoodworkin | posted 05-28-2022 10:31 PM | 413 views | 0 times favorited | 11 comments |  |
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I started this piece right before the black walnut blanks became available. I remember when I was first grinding out this bowl, I was thinking, “This looks terrible.” I actually set it on my work bench ready to call it a wash.
Obviously, I became consumed with finishing the black walnut bowls this past week for my client (he has approved them all, and I do the drop-off Tuesday at noon):
I’ve been chomping at the bit to get into the three wild cherry galls I got while fly fishing, but I also know that they are very green… so I’ve got to be patient.
Having coffee, I started studying the bowl I started (this one), and something about it told me that maybe it had more potential than I’d given it credit for. So, I got to work. The bulk of the work I’d already done because I’d ground out the bowl. So, I focused on shaping it into a more appealing shape.
I tried something a little different and stained the inside of the bowl. Even though I used a dark walnut stain and let it sit for awhile, it seemed to wipe right out without really making the bowl much different from the rest of the piece.
Oh well.
I’ve often wondered what kind of wood this is, but I think I figured it out. Sometimes when I’m harvesting, I’ll find a tree that’s already dead. In this case, I think this is actually a wild cherry gall too, but one that, like the tree, has died and has even started to dry out/rot a little.
So, I think the majority of the wood I’m working with is wild cherry gall, not true burls. I don’t care… the stuff looks beautiful to me!
That very first picture reminds me a bit of a whale.
Would love to hear what you think.
-- "What do you mean, 'Give me some wild cherry gall?' What do you think, this stuff grows on trees or something?"
11 comments so far
pottz
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26521 posts in 2474 days
#1 posted 05-28-2022 11:39 PM
wow that grain and color are just stunning van. i agree,gall, burl who cares it’s gorgeous.
-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
VanDesignWoodworkin
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#2 posted 05-28-2022 11:47 PM
Thanks. Pottz!
-- "What do you mean, 'Give me some wild cherry gall?' What do you think, this stuff grows on trees or something?"
Eric
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#3 posted 05-29-2022 02:33 AM
Some stunning grain is in there Van. You mentioned a whale, I can see that.
-- Eric, building the dream
VanDesignWoodworkin
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#4 posted 05-29-2022 02:50 AM
Yeah, it is some beautiful Moby Dick grain!
-- "What do you mean, 'Give me some wild cherry gall?' What do you think, this stuff grows on trees or something?"
pottz
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26521 posts in 2474 days
#5 posted 05-29-2022 02:51 AM
yeah i see it,cool.
-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
MrWolfe
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#6 posted 05-29-2022 07:56 PM
I like the shape on this one.
It sets it apart from some of your previous pieces. Glad you stepped away but came back to it. That little break can really change your perspective. It turned out great.
I agree burl or gall, either way its gorgeous!~
VanDesignWoodworkin
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1074 posts in 289 days
#7 posted 05-29-2022 08:09 PM
Thanks!
-- "What do you mean, 'Give me some wild cherry gall?' What do you think, this stuff grows on trees or something?"
awsum55
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1315 posts in 1998 days
#8 posted 05-29-2022 08:09 PM
I think this is one of my favorites. As to what I think…I think you have to leave some of that beautiful wood for the rest of us. I don’t know where you are fishing, but you certainly have found the mother load of very cool looking wood for your projects. This one is just gorgeous.
-- "The Answer Is Blowin'n In The Wind" John D, OP, KS
VanDesignWoodworkin
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#9 posted 05-29-2022 08:32 PM
But I use my wood to mask my lack of talent!
-- "What do you mean, 'Give me some wild cherry gall?' What do you think, this stuff grows on trees or something?"
SnowyRiver
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#10 posted 06-06-2022 06:07 PM
Very nice. I love the color and design.
-- Wayne - Plymouth MN
Thedustydutchman
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#11 posted 06-06-2022 10:53 PM
I really like this one Van! Nice job.
-- Jerry H - Holland Michigan
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