I just finished sanding this maple bowl today.  Perhaps the most highly figured maple wood that I've ever had the pleasure to work with.  This bowl and many others will be at Redwing show this weekend.  Weather should be spectacular - perfect MN winter day. 

We are gearing up to hibernate this weekend with -20 degree weather predicted.  When the  balmy weather returns the following week, we'll be at a show in Redwing!  It's the annual Sargent's Nursery Winter Art Fair.  Saturday, January 23 from 10 AM - 4 PM. Could be a cool roadtrip destination for friends from the Cities!

Meanwhile, Benjamin continues to catch up on inventory.  With the April ACC show in mind, he's turning bowls and getting back into creating utensils.  Truly gorgeous maple bowls are revealing themselves.  (hint: Might be the time to start placing orders in anticipation of spring weddings.)

Until next time, we'll continue to ride out the cold wave, be grateful for what we have, and look forward to more snowy adventures in our new little town!

Be well, friends.

Now that the holidays have passed (which were excellent, by the way), the fun can really begin!  The snow has finally arrived in Minnesota and we are loving every minute of it.  Sledding in Northfield is awesome - and daughter Ruby, although just 3, is a thrill-seeker and can't get enough of the slopes! 

Benjamin is scurrying to gather up all of the felled trees that he can in the area for turning - hoping to get a good stockpile of wood for turning over the winter.  He's got his eye on some cottonwood - and is hoping his new turning technique can overcome the innate challenges of working with the fuzzy wood.

He recently found some amazingly figured maple from a farmer close to the Iowa border.  He has turned much of that wood - even making some very large (20+ inch diameter) salad bowls.  He's selling nested sets from the same log, pretty cool. 

In addition to turning, Benjamin will keep a steady stream of bowls and other goods up on Etsy.  He's making a custom knitting yarn bowl for a family member.  He's also taking on some major furniture projects - with plans to build some bedroom sets as well as a buffet.  Reach out if you're dreaming about new bowls, furniture, etc.  He's happy to create!

Images are a few popcorn bowls from a lovely walnut tree. Gorgeous! (And, perfect for popcorn!)