An update on this blogs' status

Some time ago I setup my own static woodturning website.

Please note that this blog will be moving and becoming part of this website and can be found in the links portion or specifically at http://www.abwoodturning.co.za/blog

A teaser....

Here's a teaser of  a piece I completed today. It's made from Jacaranda and it about 320 mm (13") tall. Visit my webpage to see more....

I'm blogging again

I took a break from blogging over the holidays but I am now back.
I did not take a break from the hobby though....

Lots of burning here but I am nearly done.

















Some basketweave designs

The holes are completed...

The holes have been made and the layout has been burnt in so that I should not get confused

The roughing out of the design has now started - many hours to go!

I am still doing flowers

I am still developing the flower theme in between the other works in progress. I find myself working on multiple projects at a time and feel that I never finish anything!
This is a piece which I started working on at a demo at our yearly exhibition.

The start of something new

I turned a tall vase from Jacaranda this week. I now start with the carving - over the next couple of weeks the progress will be posted.

My biggest piece yet

My tallest piece yet! Turned from Jacaranda obtained from Pretoria Girls High. It's 310mm (12") with a diameter of 170 mm (6 1/2") Turned thick with a view to some carving to be done once dry.

I made some tools...

I have spent some time this week in making some Ellsworth style hollowing tools. They look rather crude but really work well and are easy on the pocket. These are smaller than what I have been using up to now but will increase the shapes possible.

I have also updated some content on my website http://abwoodturning.co.za 

Please have a look!

Hot off the lathe...

Freshly turned Jacaranda that comes from Pretoria Girls High school. I have taken a break from doing detail work and started on the pile I got from a fellow woodturner. It's about 200 mm dia.

Moving along....

I have added some depth by recessing the petals. I still have to smooth them but I love how when the vessel is held it "speaks" to the fingers.
I have also started to cut around the petals on the edge

A closer view

Some items completed, some in progress

A more complex flower vessel than the first. Made from Camphor.
This is the one I have been busy with the last couple of posts. I completed it in time for the yearly exhibition on the club.

I seem to be on a roll with the flowers! I got good feedback this weekend at the club exhibition.
Turned from Karee

Another flower vessel in the making.....

Flower vessel is progressing...

The level of detail on this piece stuns me and I wonder what I have let myself in for.
At the moment the edges have been burnt in and currently some color is being applied.


As a matter of interest, an article about my work has been published in the latest edition of the Easy DIY magazine. See your local CNA, Builders Warehouse or others.

One vessel nearly complete

One vessel nearly complete, just need to apply some finish.

This piece still has a way to go but already shows promise. The design is roughed in but now comes the finer detail.

I am still on the flowers

I also have another piece semi completed, and also with flowers.
It's gourd shaped vase design with lots of pyrography involved. I have done the layout, traced out the design and have started doing the burning. Incidentally the lines going through the design will be gone by the time I am finished. It's a left over from another design idea:)

A productive week

A couple of layers of dye later and we're heading for completion with this group. See a post or too back for the raw wood comparison.

I have completed the rough shaping of the new flower vessel. This section was done with a 8 mm dia ball burr. The next step is to get the different heights of the flowers done.

Another flower vessel

I have started another flower vessel. This time there are 3 flower sizes, the design is based on a real flower and there are multiple levels. What you see is the design burnt onto the piece. Now to remove the gaps between flowers.

A splash of colour

I am playing with colour. This is the first coat, the middle one has already started being sanded back. All turned from Jacaranda and the tallest is about 75 mm (3") See the previous post for the raw turnings.

Jacaranda all the way!

Some small forms, the largest is about 75 mm (3") tall.

A vase, about 220mm (8 1/2 ") tall, in a different shape than normal for me.

New updates on website

Sorry no pictures today, I have uploaded some information regarding the making of the last piece on the website though. have I missed out anything ? - let me know.....

The 3 Amigos

I always feel that groups are more interesting from a visual point of view. Here are 3 small natural edge bowls made from Johannesburg Gold, a shrub common here in gardens. Maybe I can sell them as a group........