Looking for some bowl turning help!!

Hey everyone!

My best friend and I have been friends since our freshman year in high school. He has recently gotten engaged and asked me to be the best man at his wedding. During the same conversation we discussed plans for his upcoming trip to visit me in September. One thing he mentioned he and his fiance want is a Salad bowl to match some wooden spoons they got (zebra wood). Initially I was thinking this was something we could try make while he was here, I have not done bowls before but I figured we could figure it out because I was thinking a small bowl. He sent some picture of the bowl size they want and unfortunately it exceeds what my little bench top lathe can handle! I told him we can make some smaller kitchen accessories or something while he was here but a bowl that size isn’t an option. I got to thinking and decided it would be nice to surprise them with one for their wedding instead of making it here.

So my question… First off is anyone located near Greensboro NC that might be willing to make a large zebra wood salad bowl. If someone is willing to make one that’s not nearby let me know and we can figure out shipping. Depending on cost I was thinking it might be nice to get them a set (one large bowl and maybe 4 smaller ones. I know in my area getting zebra wood large enough is not only had but pricey so we could explore the option of segmented bowls or maybe a different species. I know they like dramatic grains.

Of course as with many woodworkers budget is always a factor on whether or not I will be able to do this but I am happy to pay someone if they are willing to help me out! Being my best friend and the fact I am the best man at his wedding I want it to be a very unique and special gift! I would love to try this but my little lathe cant handle larger stuff and quite frankly right now between new responsibilities at work, being in grad school, a 3 year old daughter and a recently pregnant wife my time is in the shop is scarce!!! Attached are a couple picture of a bowl his fiance’s mother has that they like size wise to get an idea of the size of bowl they are looking for for the large salad bowl, if a set is an option the others would be standard size bowls.

I look forward to hearing from someone!!

-- Matt R