Bocote Bowl

Bocote bowl with two inlays of brass powder (hard to see in the photo). 8" wide x 3" tall This was a little tricky to make as the wood will exploit any defect it can find. The sharp edges were rounder over with a router. Finished with a 70/30 percent mix of De-natured Alcohol and Shellac, then buffed with Renaissance Wax. I'm thinking of making a lid for this. I have some spalted maple and sycamore that is dry enough to use. What do you guys think? Should I leave it alone or go for it?
Thanks for looking and all comments welcome, Don L.

Photo Details

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Registered: August 2009
Location: Oxford, NC
Posts: 1,599

10

Date: Wed February 3, 2010
Views: 1,102
Keywords: bocote bowl

Comments

Makepeace

Leo Makepeace

Yet again Don a fantastic job. About the lid, I was going to say leave it alone as it's great, but if you make a lid and it doesn't look good enough, you could always use that lid for something else, so I say go for it, nothing to lose.

Ruining lots of good wood to get a few average bits.

#1 Wed February 3, 2010 9:25pm

Makepeace

Leo Makepeace

BTW. I must be getting a bit wierd, I like it upside down as much as this way up. I must take some more pills I think........

Ruining lots of good wood to get a few average bits.

#2 Wed February 3, 2010 9:27pm

Frank Van Atta

I think it's a great piece the way it is. If I were going to make a lid for it I would use Ebony or Blackwood instead of one of the lighter woods.

#3 Wed February 3, 2010 9:53pm

Bill Bolen

Gotta agree Don. This is such a pretty piece I would hate to see any of that grain lost to a lid other than Bocote that is just as nice...Bill..

#4 Wed February 3, 2010 10:51pm

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Thanks so much for your opinions guys, it's appreciated. I was leaning towards leaving it alone myself and I agree with Frank about the color of the wood. Being color blind, I should stay away from decisions like that, but I probably never will.
Thanks again, Don

#5 Wed February 3, 2010 10:57pm

Brendan McAreavy

I agree with the others, leave it alone. On colour, don't shy away from colour decisions because, generally, I have found that most of my colour decisions have worked and sometimes create an interest that I don't appreciate but that a person with full colour vision does. The couple of occasions that I have been asked 'How did you get that colour?' will always be remembered for the look of sheer exasperation on the questioner's face when I replied 'I don't know, I'm colourblind'.

Also, from what I've seen of your journeys into colour you are doing well so far.

#6 Wed February 3, 2010 11:20pm

Robert Greene

Bob

This piece reminds me how much there still is to learn. It's so well executed, and it's clear you didn't force the wood into a shape, but rather responded to the wood. I think Leo's comment makes sense: why not make a lid. If it detracts from the bowl, don't use it. Nice work. Bob

#7 Wed February 3, 2010 11:39pm

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Thanks rgreene!

You're right Brendan, I've had folks ask me "how did you get that color" too. I couldn't tell them either!:] Can't stop though, it's too much fun to try.

Thanks, Don L.

#8 Thu February 4, 2010 12:25pm

TomTunget

Tom Tunget

Very well executed Don. I gotta say, it never occured to me to soften the edges with a router! A great use for that trim router!

#9 Thu February 4, 2010 2:45pm

phinds

No matter how good a lid you made, it would be a shame to cover up that beautiful bocote. Really nice work.

#10 Fri February 5, 2010 2:01am