turned cherry wood bowl

Medley of Boxes, Bowls And Cups

Everyone seems fascinated by boxes. There are so many mysteries. How does it open? What is in it? How was it made? Who made it? What wood is that?

I am most grateful to the woodworkers who have shared their expertise in print. I learned to make boxes from a book by Richard Raffin, a well known wood turner and teacher from Australia. Not surprisingly, my box design bears his influence. Imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Boxes are a great medium to demonstrate stunning wood grain and the turners mastery of technique. In addition, they are fun to do.

The light colored boxes are of ash. A friend of mine in Albuquerque called me one day and said that the wind had taken down this ash tree in his neighbor's yard and asked if I wanted it. I didn't even know there was an ash tree growing in that desert town. I guess it was a tree from a nursery. With water, most anything will grow in that mild climate.

The box with a pot belly is made of cherry from Kentucky. It is such a wonderful wood to work as it responds to the tool in such a predictable way. Its color is very endearing to me. With the passage of time it darkens to a deeper red hue.