Some new pieces this week

The first of two pieces made from wood from a conifer (I think!) Found in Irene. The pith shavings of this wood is mustard in colour and as as you can see there is quite a big contrast between the heartwood and sapwood. About 200 mm dia, the base is a bit heavy looking I think.

A vase in progress, an attempt to really get this thin. We'll see how this goes!

I got the pieces completed for Saturday

The completed hollow form. This is the last of the Indian mahogany that I had and has fantastic figure on the top near the mouth.

A slightly different view of the piece. Check out that figure!

This is a piece about120 mm diameter but has warped extensively at the pith. I thought I would accentuate this by carving the end grain down a level to give the impression of a vessel within a vessel. The upper layer has been pyrographed a la Molly Winton. Do a google search for her if you do not know her work.

Trying to finish some pieces....

I have really been trying to complete some pieces as next Saturday is the next Pretoria meeting

I am on the last stretch with this one, a lot of sanding and detailing has been done.

The pyrography completed and covered with stain.

A piece I turned this week (practicing with the Rolly Munro tool). 

It's about 280 mm high

Quite a bit of work still, playing with the tips I've made but we'll see where this pyrography "thing" takes me.

A new (old) toy and some testing...

I was able to buy a second-hand pyrography machine. I think it's either a PeterChild model or a copy thereof.

I bought some nichrome wire and started doodling as you can see!

Nothing like trying some textures on a real piece. This is the small hollowform shown on the precious post. The idea is to carve away each side so as to give the appearance of a vessel within a woven form.