From Raw Wood to Finished Bowl: A Look at My Process

There's a moment on the lathe when a rough, bark-covered chunk of wood starts to reveal itself. The tool catches the edge, the shavings fly, and slowly — almost like the wood is deciding what it wants to be — a bowl takes shape. That moment never gets old for me.

I'm Andrew, and I've been turning wood on Manasota Key in Englewood, Florida my whole life. My mother was a woodworker before me, and I grew up watching her coax beautiful things out of raw timber. Now I do it too, and I want to share a little of what that process actually looks like — from the wood pile to your table.

It Starts with the Wood

Every bowl begins with choosing the right piece of wood, and that choice shapes everything that follows. I work with several species, and each one has its own personality.

Cherry is one of my favorites. It starts out a pale pinkish-tan and deepens into a rich reddish-brown over time as it's exposed to light. It turns beautifully — smooth and cooperative — and the grain has a warmth that photographs can't fully capture. A cherry bowl only gets better looking with age.

Maple is dense and tight-grained, which means it takes a very fine finish. It's lighter in color — creamy white to pale gold — and has a clean, modern look that works in just about any kitchen. Hard maple in particular is incredibly durable.

Spalted maple is maple with a story. The dark lines running through it — called zone lines — are actually the boundaries left behind by fungi that colonized the wood before it was harvested. The result is a completely one-of-a-kind pattern that no two pieces share. Every spalted maple bowl I make is genuinely unique.

Cocobolo is a tropical hardwood from Central America, and it's in a class of its own. The colors range from deep orange to burgundy to near-black, often all in the same piece. It's dense, oily, and has a natural luster that almost looks polished straight off the lathe. It's also one of the more challenging woods to work with — but the results are worth it.

On the Lathe

Once I've selected a piece of wood, I rough it into a blank — a cylinder or disc — and mount it on the lathe. From there, it's a conversation between me and the wood. I use gouges and scrapers to remove material, constantly checking the wall thickness, the curve of the rim, the balance of the form.

A bowl that looks simple often takes the most time. Getting a smooth, flowing curve from rim to foot — with walls that are consistent all the way around — requires patience and a lot of passes. I don't rush it. The wood tells you when it's ready.

After the initial turning, the bowl gets set aside to dry if it's green wood, or goes straight to sanding if it's already dry. Sanding is its own process — I work through progressively finer grits until the surface is smooth to the touch and the grain really starts to pop.

The Finish

Finishing a bowl that will be used with food is something I take seriously. I use General Finishes Wood Bowl Finish, and I've tried enough products over the years to know why it's the right choice. It's food-safe once cured, durable enough to handle daily use, and it enhances the natural color and figure of the wood without looking plastic or artificial.

I apply it by hand, let it soak in, wipe off the excess, and repeat. The wood drinks up the first coat. By the third or fourth coat, you start to see the depth — the way the grain seems to glow from inside the wood. That's the moment I know a piece is done.

Why It Matters

I make handmade wooden bowls because I believe the things we use every day should be beautiful. A bowl on your counter isn't just functional — it's something you look at, pick up, and interact with. When it's made from a piece of cherry or spalted maple that grew for decades before becoming part of your home, that means something.

Every piece I make is signed and finished by hand. No two are exactly alike. That's not a marketing line — it's just the nature of working with wood.

If you have questions about a specific piece, the wood it's made from, or how to care for it, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to talk shop.

— Andrew