Lathe turned Bowls & chalices
Making bowls and & chalices on the lathe is a very special art, the kind of art that can not only feed the body but the soul as well. Below are a sampling of current and past projects, the different kinds of woods I work in, and the types of bowls I currently make. To begin an order you can head over to my Shop and select different options and see pricing. Some items may be in stock, and others may need to be made per order. To inquire about something you see below please email at order@sylvanartsrevival.com. All bowls are finished with food grade mineral oil and beeswax finish. However hot liquids are not recommended for most of my bowls at this time. For more current projects see my Instagram feed. Almost anything can be reproduced. Commissions available.
Redwood has an exquisite grain texture and color and is a local favorite to where I live and work. Once oiled, the redness shines through, and the yearly growth rings and branch knots create mesmerizing patterns. Below are recent projects in redwood, a few gaming dice trays, a small urn, and bodhran tippers.
Monterey Cypress, like redwood and other softwoods has a pronounced grain expression, but also carries a subtle sent of it’s living essence well after it has been carved. I don’t have as much access to this wood in Mendocino County, but it is one of my favorite to work with. Below is one of the largest serving bowls I’ve made that would be great for salads, popcorn, chips or any other kind of party food that deserves a special presentation. This is currently the largest size bowl I make. Roughly 6” tall x 10.5” wide with a 4.5” deep basin.
Walnut has a deep, rich brown color with tight grain and variable patterns of light and dark. It is one of my favorite woods to carve because it is so smooth, and takes to sanding quickly. I source my walnut from a local walnut orchard in Lake County. I like to make saucers, salt/offering bowls, keepsake boxes and others, as well as bodhran tippers. Let me know what you’d like to see in walnut!
California Bay- or Pepperwood- is similar to walnut, only the lighter colored version. It holds up well to fluids and I am working towards make these to be worthy of holding hot liquids like soup. It also makes fabulous live edge pieces- bowls and chalices with the bark still intact on the rim. It does not retain a scent, most of the volatile oil is in the leaves.
Ponderosa Pine is another wonderful softwood with eye-catching grain textures. Pine trees were considered sacred to Sylvanus, from whom my business owes it’s namesake. Additionally, I grew up in the largest predominantly Ponderosa Pine forest on Turtle Island, so this wood is a particular favorite of mine. Pine tends to come spalted- a process wherein a fungi has entered the wood and begun to add another layer of color and pattern, highly prized in the wood turning field. It makes for wonderful decorative bowls and has a very light feeling to it. Not suitable for liquids.
