Well, you know the old saying, "I like to make firewood in the woodshop" and for me that could not be closer to the truth! Here are my first few attempts at turning, before I read any instructions and watched any videos, I just chucked up some wood and went to town, and made firewood!

I am doing a little better now, have not been on my lathe for about three weeks since I made my first successful bowls, but I'll get back on there soon enough!

The big one at the top looks salvageable.

My woodworking may not warm your heart but, it can warm your toes.

Everything there looks salvageable to me! That shallow bowl would make a fine candy dish. The tall vase would hold a bouquet "weed flowers" (not that kind of weed!) and the other bowls could hold pencils and small parts used around the lathe/shop. 

Well, that's a grand idea about the pencil holders, problem is I threw out a bunch of pencil holders yesterday during clean up! Now I do like the idea of a flower pot! For all of them, that could work around our yard, thanks for the ideas Lew and Gene!

I see a couple or three nice pieces in there.

 

One way to look at split wood is as an  opportunity for diversity.  Some folks use a slurry of shiny stones and glue some add slivers of accent wood some leave the splits and call 'em strategic.

 

"Yah, I meant it to split just like it did coz I was shootin' fer an authentic hand made historic look, like it came out of a dig at an old colonial site."

 

You know, just like that one about the big fish.

I like Cliff's answer.

 

Tell them you meant to turn it with the cracks and it takes a lot of skill to turn it and keep those in there.

I see a couple or three nice pieces in there.

 

One way to look at split wood is as an  opportunity for diversity.  Some folks use a slurry of shiny stones and glue some add slivers of accent wood some leave the splits and call 'em strategic.

 

"Yah, I meant it to split just like it did coz I was shootin' fer an authentic hand made historic look, like it came out of a dig at an old colonial site."

 

You know, just like that one about the big fish.

I like it Cliff, and I love the crushed stone in cracks, it looks really nice and natural. What you guys don't see though in that vase, is that it's only hollowed out the first 2 inches from the top! I guess it could be a big ash tray?

I like it Cliff, and I love the crushed stone in cracks, it looks really nice and natural. What you guys don't see though in that vase, is that it's only hollowed out the first 2 inches from the top! I guess it could be a big ash tray?

 

 

You could put a large candle in it. Has that rustic look they are looking for these days.

Lew, you move to Colorado?

Lew, you move to Colorado?