Cucumber bowl

Bowl turned from a cucumber (AKA Cowcumber) tree. Bowl is 11 by 5 inches and finished with lacquer. Voids are filled with malachite.

Photo Details

Roger Smith

Registered: December 2008
Posts: 227

10

Date: Sat May 22, 2010
Views: 981
Keywords: cucumber malachite

Comments

Mike Baber

Nice, great shape, beautiful colors and smooth finish, only thing I don't care for is the inlay, I like the natural voids. To me, something about colored inlay takes away from the natural beauty of the wood. Other than that, its a beautiful bowl.

Wizzy

#1 Sat May 22, 2010 1:46pm

David Seaba

Great Looking Bowl!! Roger

#2 Sat May 22, 2010 2:02pm

Roger Smith

Wizzy, I do not disagree with you. However, my customers do not agree with us. I can have two similar pieces, one with an open void and the other filled with turquoise, and 5 to 1 the customer will pick up the filled piece first. The filled void pieces normally sell quicker. I really do not like working with stone, but it sells.

#3 Sat May 22, 2010 3:41pm

TDRice

Sorry, guys, but I have to disagree. In many cases I think the inlay adds a great deal to the piece. I ofen use turquoise or alabaster to highlight the voids.

#4 Sat May 22, 2010 7:24pm

Mike Baber

I guess ya could say I'm really old fashion, I'd never seen this kind of inlay in wood working until I seen photos here so I look at it this way... to each their own, if its what your customers like, more power to them and I hope you sell lots more. :o)

Wizzy

#5 Sun May 23, 2010 1:35am

Cathy Schaewe

Personally, I really like the inlays. I think that's a beautiful piece. Never heard of cucumber/cowcumber tree. Where did you get the wood?

#6 Sun May 23, 2010 2:04am

Roger Smith

Cathy, it is a member of the magnolia species. It has really large (up to 10-12 inches) leaves. The fruit when green looks similar to a cucumber. The wood is harder and turns better than magnolia. This piece had a light colored orange strip that was prone to tearout. Finishes great!

#7 Sun May 23, 2010 3:28am

Rev. Doug Miller

Rev. Doug Miller

I can't imagine how it can turn better than magnolia. But, I'll take your word for it. This piece sure looks good. I don't mind the stone infill, but I would prefer coffee or some other more natural filler. But that is not to criticize. Your work is beautiful and well done. Your customers are the ones to listen to. 8-)

#8 Sun May 23, 2010 4:59am

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Beautiful piece, Roger. Love that wood. Beautiful grain.
Don L.

#9 Sun May 23, 2010 4:00pm

Michelle Rich

Roger, my customers navigate to filled items also, especially turquoise. Gotta give 'em what they will buy.

#10 Sun May 23, 2010 4:28pm

Roger Smith

Thanks all for the comments.

#11 Mon May 24, 2010 7:46pm