Binge Cherry w Turquoise inlay

Re: PIC 2 

Ben Aragon

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Re: PIC 3 

Ben Aragon

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Re: PIC 3

Tom Mullane

>Nice... how did the turquoise turn... I have done pink coral and malachite.. the pink coral turned like hardwood.. the malachite was like trying to turn diamonds...

I have some crushed turquoise and am hoping it is closer to the pink coral.. LOL

Re: PIC 3

David Galloway

>Ben, I have been using tourq. on my cherry bowls recently and have tried to be understated. I think tourq is a great accent to the color of cherry and it is working well for you in this form. I like the form itsele, the accent rings on top are good. The "save" of using the tourq in the crack is an interesting choice. I find it a bit out of place as I look at it, distracting. But what were your other options? Did you consider carving along the line of the crack? The form suggests a wing and I wondered about other options.

If after my opinions you don't mind helping me, what method do you use for the inlay of the tourq? How do you sand and finish?

Thanks.

David Galloway

Re: PIC 3

Bernie

>LOOKS GREAT I have yet to use the inlace but it is time it is such a nice touch

bernie

Re: Tom, David, Bernie

Ben Aragon

>Tom,

I am not sure how hard it is compared to the other materials you have used. I have only used the turquoise so far. I�m sure you could find some kind of hardness scale info on the web. I don�t turn it I just sand it.

David,

I welcome your opinions, thank you. You may be right about the inlay on the side being distracting. Most people that see this bowl pick it up to get a closer look at what is actually on the side. Your absolutely correct about the cherry and turquoise complementing each other, of the work I have done I think this combination is beautiful. Mesquite and turquoise is another beautiful combination. I did try and carve other bowls and inlay but the look was not natural. I think a large natural crack inlayed looks best, like a vein of turquoise growing in the bowl. If I can be of any help email me.

Bernie,

Thank you and you should try it.

The process I use to inlay the turquoise is.

1. I crush the turquoise and sift it through 3 different grade of screen, to get fine, med, course.

2. The bowl needs to be finished and coated with sanding sealer.

3. Then I put the largest grit of turquoise that will fit the hole, crack, or defect in the bowl. Add finer grits second to fill in any gaps.

4. Put drops of thin CA glue over the turquoise and let it soak in and dry.

5. Sand the bowl and finish.

If anyone else has any option on how to decorate or disguise the crack on the side of this bowl I would appreciate it. I thought about carving a ring around it like my carved Sycamore bowl I posted yesterday.

Best Wishes,

Ben

Re: PIC 2 *LINK*

John D Williams -oubaasjohn

>Did you want the checks? They look good filled with turquose but may have been avoided if you had microwave dried the piece before they started.

Check the microwave technique that I put on my site as a feeler to see what others think. I have had mixed results but also some excellent ones especially with Cherry.


http://www3.sympatico.ca/3jdw8/microwavedrying.htm

Re: PIC 2

Ben Aragon

>John,

I didn�t want the crack in the bowl, but after it was there I just emphasized it. The binge cherry tree was dead standing so I think the crack was already there. I�ll try the microwave treatment, thank you. Have you successfully died a whole log section, not a halved one cut through pith?

Ben

Re: Tom, David, Bernie

David Galloway

>Thanks Ben. That's mostly like I have heard the process in the past. I am always interested in what other options one has with bowls. I have a huge piece of walnut that is begging to be a bowl and I am trying to think through the possibilities. I also have a roughed out cherry bowl with a large void The options are endless. Thanks for sharing your bowl and process!

David

Re: Binge Cherry w Turquoise inlay

Duane C.Leach

>Nice piece Ben. As for cracks in cherry. I have yet to see a cherry tree that did not have a crack through the pith. But i am still looking.

Happy turning

Duane

Re: Binge Cherry w Turquoise inlay

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Hi Ben,

I'm with you...I never feel "qualified" to really critique others peoples work either...but I would like to say that I really like this piece. I think the form is very pleasing and while I'm not a big fan of the crushed stone inlay materials, they way you've used it appeals to me. The lines around the opening are thin and not overbearing and the same on the sides as well. I really like this piece. It's beautiful!

Jennifer

Re: Tom, David, Bernie

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Ben, One thing that I've been trying and having some success with is using ground coffee to fill voids and cracks. If I grind it very fine it seems to look less like a "patch" rather than the stuff that comes right out of the can.

Jen

PS: Decaffeinated works fine too : )