Peter Brown's ShopTime

A co-worker downed a pear tree after it was damaged in a storm. I happened to overhear the conversation and quipped, "If you want to part with some, I'll make you a bowl from some of the wood." He was generous enough to part with all of the wood. My shop is full of pear! I've already rough turned about 3 bowls. I Have acres to go! Thank heavens for Achorseal...

Found another  free table on Craigslist. It was in pretty rough shape, with a nasty discolored area from an ashtry and a crack in the table top. I ripped the top at the crack and then jointed the boards and glued up the panel. I then took a peek at the trestle. The top was secured with screws that left no room for movement in the top. So I slotted a few holes and re-attached the boards in a way that would allow the top to expand and contract again without cracking. Lastly I made some wedges for the cross member on the trestle stand. This added a ton of stability. After sanding the top down I was going to re-stain it to match the bottom, but I thought it really looked good as it was. So I put two coats of shellac on the base and 4 coats of poly on top and posted it back on craigslist.  I have someone coming to look at it tonight... EDIT: And they took it home with them. It was a fun and simple flip and now I have some more green in my pocket. 

The gift shop that I sell my bottle stoppers in is closing their doors. Too sad. It was a cool little shop. I stopped by today and picked up my stoppers and displays. I now get to go through the rather ego weary process of finding another shop to sell them in. Wish me luck!

I recently made some lift lid boxes. I really like this style of box. The boxes are 3" in all dimensions. That equals about 2 inches of useable space inside. Perfect for jewelry or a small treasure, that needs safe keeping! Both of the cedar boxes sold a the craft show, but I still have all the rest. Walnut, Oak, Maple and Cedar. With contrasting tops and miter keys. Finished with wipe on poly All in a row

A couple of recent boxes. The first is turned from walnut firewood. I love saving pieces from the fireplace. It's quite fulfilling to give them new life.   SOLD Shallow Walnut. 4"in diameter 1 3/4 high. Wipe on poly. The second is sycamore. I had a mistake on the top of the Sycamore, so I added an inset of Walnut. I think it worked out rather well.  SOLD Sycamore & Walnut. 2" in diameter 4" high. Wipe on poly   Sycamore & Walnut. With lid closed

This is my first NE bowl. It was a bear, and put my little Rikon mini through its paces. I will be hard pressed to want to turn another one any time soon... Still after 4 major catches and one pitch across the floor I ended up with a rather thick walled 9 1/2" bowl.  If you look closely you can see the glue line where the wing was re-attached. Finished with Danish oil, blood, sweat and some manly tears.:)   9 1/2 inches wing to wing. I lost some bark during it's various flights off my lathe. Some cool checking that I really like. I rough sanded the areas where I lost the bark. Felt like it added to it's character.

This is the second half of the board I acquired from the old wine cast . A very simple turning, and hopefully a cherished piece of the wine country for some lucky tourist. SOLD Some cool nail holes and char marks from the cask. Approx 7 1/2" in diameter. Still with a strong scent of wine Bottom with date and signature. Finished with light oil and shellac.