Frankenstein Needs a Home

Allow me to introduce you to one of our favorites. Frankenstein. By now you know that we like to name some of our pieces when we are inspired to do so. This is one of them. Frankenstein, or Frankie as he is known to the family is one of those pieces.

#538 "Frankenstein" Box Elder with Turquoise SOLD

Among so many of the beautiful trees in the valley we find Box Elder. This tree when cut open has some of the most alluring red and gray tints along with its incredibly sensual quilting pattern. Some of the finest violins will have Maple quilted backs on them. If that is the case could this make it into the finer hollow vessel area? I will not be the one to judge that, you can. So in addition to the start of this piece with an awesome cut of wood the designed shape is great. Completely carefully hollowed out on the inside it maybe just what you were searching for to hold a dried flower arrangement on your dining room or coffee table.

So now you might be still questioning why he was dubbed Frankenstein. Well you will see he has all of these crazy turquoise filled lines on him that reminded me of the scars of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. A genuine turquoise stone has been pulverized to a fine powder and then prudently sprinkled into the openings. Some might call it bling, I call it classy stitching.

And so today, we are concerned that Frankenstein is still residing with us and needs a home, possibly with you. To entice you a bit we have decided to take 40% off of his current retail price. You can find the listing in the Studio Gallery as #538. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need more information on him or other pictures. He will be with us at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market where we vend every Saturday. For all of you who live a distance we can ship for a nominal charge.

Until next we meet… choose the right limb

Puzzle Complete

Like the multi piece puzzle that starts out disjointed there ends beauty in the whole. This past winter a well formed size of Mt. Solon cherry happened into the studio instead of the wood pile. While Steve sat and envisioned what this log would become the log was busy doing its part by drying. Bowl, vase, sculpture what would it be?

Soon these rough puzzle pieces would be honed and placed together. Cherry log joins the mustard color lathe; Steve’s chisel to fit in the right palm of his hand. Corners of a large vision taking shape.

A restless piece of the puzzle has begun to change shape. Various chisels meet the whirling wood, ribbons are flying, and chips are falling. A bowl is beginning to take shape around a naturally formed knot hole. Oh the wonder of a tree. Almost ninety degrees to the left is a small crevice forming. Was that anticipated in the puzzle picture? Not sure but what a comely spot she is. The sacred stone, Turquoise would fit so fine in here and add just the acceptable amount of bling to this already desirable bowl. Multiple sanding between finishes has made her smooth as silk.       

                                                                              

                                               

The puzzle is complete with all of her pieces tightly fitting together. A beauty she is with her 3” height and a comfortable 8” across. Place her on your elegant table setting and watch the people come to ogle and ah. 

#397 Cherry Bowl w/ Knot & Turquoise

Sold

                                                                          

                                                                                                                    

                                                             

Just a Touch of Turquoise

Ailanthus, aka the Tree of Heaven, especially down here in Virginia is very appropriate for Steve and me as we often think living in Virginia is a slice of heaven. Just so happened that one spring 2010 day we had one of the Ailanthus in the front of the property come crashing down onto the driveway. Lucky we were not out for our morning walk about. Well nothing else to do except locate the chain saw and get sawing. Several nice chunks were salvaged from that tree that became weed pots and bowls of various sizes and shapes.

One of the pieces that he fashioned is what you see here. It is a free form bowl with a naturally formed fissure through the side of the bowl. Part of this fissure was filled with my favorite semi precious stone, turquoise. If you are unaware turquoise has been a stone that you will often find in Native American jewelry and is a stone of peace and tranquility. Some believe that it will increase wisdom, balance, strength, friendship and love. I find many of these qualities in this piece as I am sure that Steve did while giving it birth.

#289 Free Form Ailanthus Bowl w/ Turquoise

Sold

I know that it is hard to envision the beauty in this piece, especially when I only give you a small taste with one photo, so if your appetite is whet and you want to see more it is currently at the OASIS Art and Craft Gallery in Harrisonburg, VA. Is the valley to far to drive? Email me and I will send you more photos. It would make a truly special wedding gift for your bride and groom or if you are celebrating a 5^th anniversary, wood is traditional and turquoise is the gemstone. Until next week…