All items available by custom order, contact me below, pricing varies by size.
WEDDING GALLERY
Aged wood guest sign. Cake stand. Centerpieces. Stained wood guest sign. Hickory Archway. Wedding card box with a slot in the top and a real lock!
KITCHEN UTENSILS GALLERY
Carving Set in Cherry
A Fork and Knife Carving Set with Cherry Handles, with a reproduction Buffalo Head Nickel in the ends. This set was purchased by a friend who owns a local restaurant, but a new set with four matching steak knives is under production now.
BOWL GALLERY
Art Bowl in Ambrosia Maple
A small pedestal bowl in Ultimate Quilted Ambrosia Maple. Prototype of a new design we hope to enter into the South Carolina State Fair Woodturning Competition.in October.
Change Bowl in Ambrosia Maple
Small Change Bowl in Ambrosia Maple.
Planter Style Bowl in Red Gum Wood
A prototype Planter Style Bowl in Red Gum Wood. Piece was a flawed bowl blank used to test various types if inlay for filling holes and cracks. A new favorite on our list of top woods.
BOX GALLERY
Large Box in Ambrosia Maple
Large Box in Ambrosia Maple with clear oil and lacquer finish. Box has a fitted lid with a lip below to keep lid and top aligned. Box is approximately 3 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches deep. Box and lid were turned from one single piece of wood so that the ambrosia lines will line up when closed.
GOBLET GALLERY
Trophy Style Goblet in Walnut
Small Goblet turned with a Trophy Style Base in Kiln Dried Walnut.
Goblet in Rotten Cherry Wood
A small Goblet turned from rotten Cherry Wood. Done merely to challenge himself by our turner. You can see the mold and rot in the bottom of the cup and in the base stem.
Juice Goblet in Rotten Cherry Wood
Another challenge to himself from our turner. Design was created specifically to hold the small juice glass inside the opening so that small bunches of flowers or buds can be kept in water in it.
VASE GALLERY
Bud Vase in Ambrosia Maple
Small Bud Vase in Ambrosia Maple with a liner so that real buds may be kept in it with water in the liner.
Champagne Flute Bud Vase in Ambrosia Maple
A six inch bud vase with plastic insert for water turned from Ambrosia Maple as a gift for a friend.
BOTTLESTOPPER GALLERY
Pouring Cork in Ambrosia Maple
Cork unscrews from top for pouring. Made in the shape of the Liberty Bell due to the "crack" seen in the wood from the Ambrosia Beetle cause color change in the wood. Topped with a real gold dollar coin with the Statue of Liberty side facing up.
Pouring Cork in Zebrawood
Cork unscrews from top for pouring. Made from Zebrawood. Topped with a reproduction Buffalo Head Nickel.
True Cork in Walnut
True Cork in Walnut with reproduction ancient Greek coin on top.
True Cork in Apple Wood
True Cork in Apple Wood, made in a chess king design. Note the faux Gold Nugget mounted in the top.
True Cork Bottle Stopper in Osage Orange Wood
A practice piece from when I was just learning how to bead and create straight sides in harder woods. Created from a piece of scrap wood, hence the cracks and sapwood still present on the finished product.
TOY GALLERY
Heirloom Toys
A fleet of delivery trucks in pine with mahogany stain. A fleet of ships in pine with oak stain.
Fairy Treehouse
A dollhouse-sized fantasy treehouse made for a friend's daughter for Christmas. Limbs from a hickory tree were used for the posts, steps, rope ladder rungs and chairs and table. A Hickory nut hull was used for the swing, and the top off an acorn was used for the bowl on the table. Note the ladder rungs on the posts below the table. This was made after her daughter saw a picture of it in a weekend projects book, and her mother showed it to me. Half the fun was figuring out how to make it work!
Spinning Top in Ambrosia Maple
A small top in Ambrosia Maple. Future ones will be wider to help the top spin longer.
CANDLESTICK GALLERY
Matched Candlesticks in Ambrosia Maple
Prototype Candlesticks in Ambrosia Maple.
PEN GALLERY
Here you can see some examples of my pens. All of these are examples only unless otherwise noted, most are already in the hands of happy new owners. Each pen takes a minimum of two weeks from start to finish due to the length of time it takes for the lacquering process. Please note: most turners merely apply a wax-based finish that lasts 2-3 years at most. My pens have multiple layers of lacquer that supply a hard, durable finish that will last almost indefinitely unless left in water, exposed to high heat such as leaving them in the car all day, or damaged by other petroleum products such as sunscreen. Unless otherwise noted, all pens are the wood's natural color, merely enhanced with clear oil beneath the lacquer to highlight the grain. The "style" or design of each pen is also noted, should you see a wood you like but not in the design you wish. Feel free to contact me with any questions or requests, and again, thank you for visiting and come back soon!
Wallstreet Desk Set in Cross Grain Bubinga Wood
Walstreet Pen with Letter Opener in Cross Grain Bubinga Wood. The wood is cut across the grain rather than in line with it as usual.
"Vase Style Pen" in Quilted Maple Wood
The highlights in this wood are naturally occuring phenomena that science has yet to explain, much like the "eyes" in Bird's Eye Maple. This is the same wood used to make the fronts of guitars and produce Maple Syrup, and is extremely sought after worldwide for wood working projects.. Each tree takes approximately 50 years to mature. It is also known as Flame, Curly, and Tiger Stripe Maple. The mechanism is in Satin Gold.
The highlights in this wood are naturally occuring phenomena that science has yet to explain, much like the "eyes" in Bird's Eye Maple. This is the same wood used to make the fronts of guitars and produce Maple Syrup, and is extremely sought after worldwide for wood working projects.. Each tree takes approximately 50 years to mature. It is also known as Flame, Curly, and Tiger Stripe Maple. The mechanism is in Satin Gold.
"Vase Style Pen" in Dyed Quilted Maple
This is an example of Dyed Quilted Maple. I make my own dyes so each batch is slightly different from the last and no two pens will ever dye exactly the same in any case. For example, this pen was dyed with the intent to make one for a friend who wanted one in his college colors. Unfortunately, "purple" is not exactly what I would call it, and my first attempt at orange came out a deep brown, almost black. When first dyed, each was perfect, but as the dye oxidized in contact with the wood overnight for finishing, each changed according to the minerals in the wood. Fortunately, I have been able to much more closely predict the current dye colors and refine my finishing process so there is mush less color change.
This is an example of Dyed Quilted Maple. I make my own dyes so each batch is slightly different from the last and no two pens will ever dye exactly the same in any case. For example, this pen was dyed with the intent to make one for a friend who wanted one in his college colors. Unfortunately, "purple" is not exactly what I would call it, and my first attempt at orange came out a deep brown, almost black. When first dyed, each was perfect, but as the dye oxidized in contact with the wood overnight for finishing, each changed according to the minerals in the wood. Fortunately, I have been able to much more closely predict the current dye colors and refine my finishing process so there is mush less color change.
"Vase Style Pen" in Dyed Quilted Maple
This is my first attempt to dye anything, and I have been trying to replicate it ever since. The wood is dyed with real natural red wine, which leaves a gorgeous color and luster behind. Unfortunately, the color is not permanent, and can change to anything from a deep brown to a pale ivory. I are working to replicate with a permanent dye or find a finish that blocks the color change.
This is my first attempt to dye anything, and I have been trying to replicate it ever since. The wood is dyed with real natural red wine, which leaves a gorgeous color and luster behind. Unfortunately, the color is not permanent, and can change to anything from a deep brown to a pale ivory. I are working to replicate with a permanent dye or find a finish that blocks the color change.
Here you can see all three examples of the Quilted Maple Pens in all three finishes. Notice that the "Quilts" are not regular or consistent even within the same piece of wood, as all three pens came from the same larger piece.
"Parabolic Style Pen" in Quilted Maple Wood
The Flares at each end of the lower half of the pen are set as a perfect parabolic curve to the middle. This style is currently being superceded by a new style, but if you wish to have one, please contact me and let me know in which wood and I will make one for you no problem! If you do not see a wood you would like a pen in I can also take a prepaid order in almost any wood you can name!
The Flares at each end of the lower half of the pen are set as a perfect parabolic curve to the middle. This style is currently being superceded by a new style, but if you wish to have one, please contact me and let me know in which wood and I will make one for you no problem! If you do not see a wood you would like a pen in I can also take a prepaid order in almost any wood you can name!
"Paintbrush Style Pen" in Quilted Maple Wood
This design was inspired by the shape of an artist's paintbrushes. Originally the pen was meant to be a Vase Style, but a mistake while turning led to the pinch in the middle and the sight of this led to modeling the design upon the paintbrushes. The design has been one of my top requests ever since!
This design was inspired by the shape of an artist's paintbrushes. Originally the pen was meant to be a Vase Style, but a mistake while turning led to the pinch in the middle and the sight of this led to modeling the design upon the paintbrushes. The design has been one of my top requests ever since!
"Vase Style Pen" in Ambrosia Maple
The Ambrosia Maple is really Maple Wood that has been infested by the Ambrosia Beetle. It lays eggs in the wood and fills in the holes with food for the larvae. As they hatch and eat their way to the surface they leave residue behind. The food and the waste both cause color change in the wood, but not the same color. The holes left when the young leave the wood do pose an issue when turning the pieces, and can cause the entire piece to fail if not stabilized as you turn. In some cases, the wood even has Quilts like the pens above, in addition to the color change. This is the wood's natural color when merely oiled with a clear oil. The mechanism is in bright gold.
The Ambrosia Maple is really Maple Wood that has been infested by the Ambrosia Beetle. It lays eggs in the wood and fills in the holes with food for the larvae. As they hatch and eat their way to the surface they leave residue behind. The food and the waste both cause color change in the wood, but not the same color. The holes left when the young leave the wood do pose an issue when turning the pieces, and can cause the entire piece to fail if not stabilized as you turn. In some cases, the wood even has Quilts like the pens above, in addition to the color change. This is the wood's natural color when merely oiled with a clear oil. The mechanism is in bright gold.
"Vase Style Pen" in Hard Maple Wood
Here is an example of Hard Maple, or Sugar Maple, with no Quilts, Curls, Flames or Tiger Stripes. Until the tree is cut, this is all that can be expected for the wood to look like, all of the highlights appear only after cutting and cannot be predicted. The Ambrosia Beetle holes can be looked for, but the amount of color in the tree is still unpredictable.
Here is an example of Hard Maple, or Sugar Maple, with no Quilts, Curls, Flames or Tiger Stripes. Until the tree is cut, this is all that can be expected for the wood to look like, all of the highlights appear only after cutting and cannot be predicted. The Ambrosia Beetle holes can be looked for, but the amount of color in the tree is still unpredictable.
"Vase Style Pen" in Curly Ambrosia Maple
This pen is one of my personal collection. If you look closely you can even see the hole left in the wood by the Ambrosia Beetle Larva leaving the wood. This example even has quilting in the maple in addition to the color change left by the Beetle Larva. Truly a one in a million pen!
This pen is one of my personal collection. If you look closely you can even see the hole left in the wood by the Ambrosia Beetle Larva leaving the wood. This example even has quilting in the maple in addition to the color change left by the Beetle Larva. Truly a one in a million pen!
"Vase Style Pen" in Purpleheart Wood
Purpleheart is the heartwood, or core wood of the tree, naturally purple in color when cut and dried, special steps must be taken to allow the color to return to the wood after turning or working and adds several days to the finishing time due to the need to allow the wood to react to the air and light for the color to return naturally before oiling and lacquering.
Purpleheart is the heartwood, or core wood of the tree, naturally purple in color when cut and dried, special steps must be taken to allow the color to return to the wood after turning or working and adds several days to the finishing time due to the need to allow the wood to react to the air and light for the color to return naturally before oiling and lacquering.
"Vase Style Pen" in Cross Grain Cut Wild Cherry Wood
This wood was cut at 90 degrees to the grain instead of in line with it as is normal. This is extremely challenging to turn or work and therefore very rare. It also leaves a gorgeous, unique grain pattern in the wood and will always elicit compliments and envy from anyone who sees it. This is from my personal collection, but I do offer pens like this on special prepaid order. Contact me for prices and woods in which this cut is available.
This wood was cut at 90 degrees to the grain instead of in line with it as is normal. This is extremely challenging to turn or work and therefore very rare. It also leaves a gorgeous, unique grain pattern in the wood and will always elicit compliments and envy from anyone who sees it. This is from my personal collection, but I do offer pens like this on special prepaid order. Contact me for prices and woods in which this cut is available.
"Vase Style Pen" in Domestic Osage Orange Wood
Osage Orange normally comes from Argentina but this came from the upstate of South Carolina where the tree is also called Mock Orange. The wood is hard as stone and naturally has this gorgeous color in the heart of the wood. The lighter sapwood visible also gives a gorgeous iridescent sheen in good light and a high contrast to make this an absolutely exquisite pen. Again, this is one of my personal pens, but I will take prepaid orders for this wood while it lasts and will hopefully be offering preturned pens in this wood on our sale page soon!
Osage Orange normally comes from Argentina but this came from the upstate of South Carolina where the tree is also called Mock Orange. The wood is hard as stone and naturally has this gorgeous color in the heart of the wood. The lighter sapwood visible also gives a gorgeous iridescent sheen in good light and a high contrast to make this an absolutely exquisite pen. Again, this is one of my personal pens, but I will take prepaid orders for this wood while it lasts and will hopefully be offering preturned pens in this wood on our sale page soon!
"Vase Style Pen" in Walnut
There are two types of Walnut wood, one is air dried after cutting, and takes from weeks to months depending on the size of the piece. This piece, however, is Kiln-Dried, or baked in an oven like most commercial lumber. The spots in the wood are actually pores that naturally occur in the wood. The wood is finished in clear oil and lacquer, with bright gold accents.
There are two types of Walnut wood, one is air dried after cutting, and takes from weeks to months depending on the size of the piece. This piece, however, is Kiln-Dried, or baked in an oven like most commercial lumber. The spots in the wood are actually pores that naturally occur in the wood. The wood is finished in clear oil and lacquer, with bright gold accents.
"Swell Style Pen" in Wild Cherry
This is actually Wild Cherry Wood, a nuisance tree in the Southeast US that must be kept from pastureland due to the toxic effect of its dead leaves. The wood is often used for firewood, which is where I found this piece, in my woodpile. The wood is prone to "blotching" like all cherry wood and which is what Quilting in Maple Wood really is. This phenomena is what led to the development of Gel Stains for the furniture industry in actuality. The lines are carved into the wood while still on the lathe, but can also be burnished, or burned in, to leave a darker and wider pattern. The wood is in its natural color with clear oil and lacquer.
This is actually Wild Cherry Wood, a nuisance tree in the Southeast US that must be kept from pastureland due to the toxic effect of its dead leaves. The wood is often used for firewood, which is where I found this piece, in my woodpile. The wood is prone to "blotching" like all cherry wood and which is what Quilting in Maple Wood really is. This phenomena is what led to the development of Gel Stains for the furniture industry in actuality. The lines are carved into the wood while still on the lathe, but can also be burnished, or burned in, to leave a darker and wider pattern. The wood is in its natural color with clear oil and lacquer.
"Beaded Vase Style Pen" in Wild Cherry Wood
This is a variation on my Vase Style with Beading instead of Flares at the ends of the halves. The small knots in the wood are extremely rare in small turnings like this, as they have a tendency to shatter when turned. It was a miracle this pen actually survived being carved! The wood is Wild Cherry in clear oil and lacquer.
This is a variation on my Vase Style with Beading instead of Flares at the ends of the halves. The small knots in the wood are extremely rare in small turnings like this, as they have a tendency to shatter when turned. It was a miracle this pen actually survived being carved! The wood is Wild Cherry in clear oil and lacquer.
"Vase Style Pen" in Red Oak
This is domestic Red Oak, finished with clear oil and lacquer. Any oak wood cut or turned in the correct manner will always have stripes or curls like Quilted Maple. In fact "Tiger Oak" furniture is merely plain oak wood that has been sawn in such a manner to produce this effect, there is no Tiger Oak Tree. The wood is finished in clear oil and lacquer with saitin gold accents.
This is domestic Red Oak, finished with clear oil and lacquer. Any oak wood cut or turned in the correct manner will always have stripes or curls like Quilted Maple. In fact "Tiger Oak" furniture is merely plain oak wood that has been sawn in such a manner to produce this effect, there is no Tiger Oak Tree. The wood is finished in clear oil and lacquer with saitin gold accents.
"Parallel Style Pen" in White Oak
Deceptively simple, the straight and unaccented style of this pen is actually the most technically challenging style to attempt. Any mistake and the pen is ruined. In most cases, if the turner makes a small mistake, the pen can be changed to a different design (in fact, most of my designs came from attempting the Vase style and ending up with a new style after I made such a mistake!), but there is no margin for error in this style. It is also the easiest to carry in a shirt or jacket pocket and thinnest any pen can be made.
Deceptively simple, the straight and unaccented style of this pen is actually the most technically challenging style to attempt. Any mistake and the pen is ruined. In most cases, if the turner makes a small mistake, the pen can be changed to a different design (in fact, most of my designs came from attempting the Vase style and ending up with a new style after I made such a mistake!), but there is no margin for error in this style. It is also the easiest to carry in a shirt or jacket pocket and thinnest any pen can be made.
"Vase Style Pen" in Kiln Dried Poplar Wood
Unassuming Poplar trees carry a secret pale green color inside their wood when dried in a kiln like lumber from your local hardware store has been. The air dried or naturally "seasoned" form of the same wood can vary wildly from the same green color to having strong brown to black streaks in it.
Unassuming Poplar trees carry a secret pale green color inside their wood when dried in a kiln like lumber from your local hardware store has been. The air dried or naturally "seasoned" form of the same wood can vary wildly from the same green color to having strong brown to black streaks in it.
"Vase Style Pen" in Rainbow Poplar Wood
Poplar trees in wetter soil may form deep color patterns inside from red, blue, purple and even this gorgeous black. This example had deep pale green grain until it was oiled for a nearly total black finish.
Poplar trees in wetter soil may form deep color patterns inside from red, blue, purple and even this gorgeous black. This example had deep pale green grain until it was oiled for a nearly total black finish.