Nieghbor Bowls

It's been a while since I posted anything and I got that reminder recently, so I thought I would prove that I actually do turn some wood now and then. Our next door neighbor had to take down a nearly dead Elm year before last. They called it Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra). I asked for some of the wood and promised to make something for them. I did some simple Christmas ornaments last year for them. I had secretly told the husband that I was going to do something bigger at some point so this is what came of it. Four bowls since there are 4 people in the house right now-2 parents-2 daughters. Sizes are in the 10-13" diameter range and are finished with Bush Oil. I delivered them just after Christmas and they were quite surprised and pleased to have a memento of a tree that meant a lot to them. The other children will get bowls made from the cores taken from these pieces.

Comments and critiques welcome.

Elm, around here is a trash tree. I didn't know it had pretty wood! Maybe I had better quit trashing it. Those really are pretty.

Those are beautiful Don. Great shapes and I like the color of the wood and the grain pattern. I snagged some elm once and look for a chance to get more. Good job and thanks for sharing with us.

Nicely done, Don. I'm sure the neighbors were very pleased.

Paul, I've turned some Siberian elm found on the curb in LA, and it was very pretty stuff. Hard as woodpecker lips when it was dry, but great figure.

Good to have you back Don...good looking bowls and a nice gesture to boot!

Hi Don,

The bowls are good. However, it is better hearing from you.

Those are nice bowls. I like the color. You turned the bowls well and really took advantage of the grain pattern. They are the kind of thing that is enjoyed for many years.

Enjoy,
JimB

Thanks for all the nice comments! I do check in here fairly often-just don't have much to say I guess.

Ted Calver said:

Those are beautiful Don. Great shapes and I like the color of the wood and the grain pattern. I snagged some elm once and look for a chance to get more. Good job and thanks for sharing with us.

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Wish you had said that when you were here I have way more of it than I want. We used to mill a lot of it back home growing up. I made everyone in the close family a butlers stool out of it (12 of them) and they looked great.

Grandpa would always go looking for Slick Elm said it made the best firewood. I know I packed a lot of it into the house back then.

Don those look beautiful for sure you done a fine job

Next time Jay

Great looking bowls, love the rich colour of Elm, very envious of you if you have it in abundance, virtually all our native Elms have been destroyed by Dutch Elm Disease.
Only ever get the small (30ft high) hedgerow shoots these days that die as soon as they succumb to the beetles.

Don I bet they were thrilled with them . Great job.

Have you ever heard of anyone using mulberry wood? My neighbor cut down a smaller one last summer and I got a good look at the wood. It was a beautiful red wood. I don't even know if it is a hard or soft wood, but I would love to see something turned using it. Those bowls are amazing.