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Turning of the Week for January 9, 2023

Donna Banfield

Donna Banfield

TOTW Team
Joined
May 19, 2004
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Location
Derry, NH
I began this Woodturning journey as a bowl turner. Though my journey has taken a different path, my heart will always belong to my first love, a well turned bowl.

Michael Anderson’s "Black Oak Calabash", in my opinion, meets the exceptional and challenging criteria for making a well-turned bowl. The bowl should have a continuous and graceful curve on the outside, with no visible flat surfaces. It should be proportioned to balance the height, width and weight. From the image, the walls are turned thin, but not so thin that it might be fragile for use. A well-turned bowl should always serve a useful purpose, and for centuries that has meant functionality. It will hold food, serve food, and when not fulfilling those intentions, it will look great on the table, sideboard, or shelf. If you are mindful of the proportions, the bowl will feel good in one’s hands, and I’m guessing this one does.

Michael, you made a truly wonderful bowl, and that’s not just my opinion, but also the opinion of our resident Calabash expert, Hawaiian calabash bowl turner extraordinaire, Emiliano Achaval. Your "Black Oak Calabash" is my choice for Turning of the Week for January 9, 2023.

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Excellent choice Donna! I think Bill’s comment is spot on. I would add that Michael has been an excellent contributor to the Forum; that is important to drive interest and to provide content to our site. At the risk of swelling your head too much, lol, excellent piece Michael!!
 
Wow! What a great start to my Monday. It’s truly an honor to be chosen for the totw. Even more so for this particular style of bowl. I had been holding the calabash form in my back pocket for a while—waited to turn some when I thought I could do the form and history justice.

Thanks for the kind words and review Donna—they are much appreciated. And, thank you Bill, Emiliano, and Russ for the nice comments. Woodturning is just so fun and satisfying, and the community so supportive!
 
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