Stocking the Store

This time of year I’m possessed! I’m finish turning like a wild man. My shoulders know what time of year it is. My goal is to make and post 2-3 bowls a day through the holiday season. So far I’m on track, but it’s killing me.

I usually try to vary my day the rest of the year. I run the sawmill, use the log splitter, cut green bowl blanks and lots of other things. Changing things up keeps me motivated and it helps me keep in shape. Cutting, splitting and stacking firewood is a pretty good workout. I heat my shop with a wood burning stove so firewood is essential. Cutting bowl blanks with the chainsaw is another strenuous days work. It’s kind of fun though because you get a preview of what’s inside of the log.

This time of the year though, I finish turn bowls and put them on my websites. I’m not sure why but I hate photographing bowls and putting them on the websites. It isn’t logical. I know it has to be done. Because each of my bowls are one of a kind, each has to be photographed separately. The pictures have to be edited and then uploaded. My internet is pretty slow so that takes a bit of time.

This is a pretty good time of year to visit the shop because I’m actually finish turning all day, every day. Because I’m old, and because it’s hard work, I take a lot of 5-10 minute breaks. If you visit, watch me work but remember I’m a one man operation. If I stop to talk too long, nothing gets made. This time of year that really matters.

Below is a bowl I made today. It’s a pretty boxelder burl bowl.

#1980 Boxelder Burl Wooden Bowl