Desert SW Spalted Holly Form

[Mike Minto]

Another in the same vein as my previous post...love that spalted wood. About 3" tall by 6.5" wide, walls the same as the other (thanks to my Jamieson hollowing system) at about 3/16". Not buffed, just sprayed with Deft lacquer over a couple coats of water-based poly.

[John Keeton]

Mike, I actually like this one better than the maple - I guess it is the lower form, although I know the other is popular. And, the spalted holly is such a nice wood. Again, nice work!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Mike - you've got this Southwestern stuff down to a science! Great form!

[Ted Calver]

Nice one Mike..I sure like that spalted holly.

[Paul Douglass]

Will that is REALLY pretty. The wood and form really go together.

[Roland Martin]

That's some really nice holly. Nice work Mike.

[Dave MacArthur]

Nice, I really like the whiteness of the holly.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Really nice piece Mike. Nice wood and form is great.

[Richard Madison]

Nice piece Mike. Am curious why you use the poly under a lacquer finish?

[David E Keller]

Nice looking piece.

[Mike Minto]

Nice piece Mike. Am curious why you use the poly under a lacquer finish?

Richard, I had initially used the poly to try and strengthen the wood (didn't help much), as it was sanding out of round due to some of the spalted areas being softer than the other. Then, since I was using the laquer on another piece, I just gave this one a light hand sanding and sprayed it. Deft is fast becoming my finish of choice - easy to apply, looks great, no color.

[Bill Bolen]

A fine job on a beautiful piece of wood. Glad you found a non yelllowing finish for this Holly...Bill...

[Jim Underwood]

I like the new word you made up...

"HollyForm"

No pun intended I bet....:D


Nice looking work.

[Richard Madison]

Thanks Mike. Also use lacquer on nearly everything recently. Always wipe on a coat or two of lacquer sanding sealer first. On a larger piece where I want to really "build" a finish, may use a coat or two of brushing lacquer first, maybe wet sand level and finish with a few spray coats. Rarely do this now, as in my area I can't price a good finish any higher than a sort of regular finish and expect it to sell. Usually wait a few days and buff lightly with white compound. Doesn't increase the gloss much but gives a better feel in the hand.

[Don Robert]

Mike,
Very nice piece. I'm curious about the source of the wood. You titled this "desert SW spalted holly," so being an easterner where did you get the wood? I live in central Arizona and have seen lots of holly trees on hikes I have taken. But I know of nowhere around here that sells (or gives away) spalted holly large enough to be interest to turners. I sure would like to get some though.

[Mike Minto]

Mike,
Very nice piece. I'm curious about the source of the wood. You titled this "desert SW spalted holly," so being an easterner where did you get the wood? I live in central Arizona and have seen lots of holly trees on hikes I have taken. But I know of nowhere around here that sells (or gives away) spalted holly large enough to be interest to turners. I sure would like to get some though.

Don, by the title, I didn't mean to imply the source of the wood (or the accuracy/authenticity of the form). I really like looking at 'native American' pottery, and was just trying to emulate the style in wood. It's just a title for a descriptive paragraph on the turning I was showing. Sorry if that was confusing, didn't mean to be. As for the source, it is Virginia holly that a neighbor cut down and gave to me, and it spalted while sitting next to my workshop. :)

[Mark Hubl]

Mike,

I am a big fan of SW pottery myself, so I really like the last two pieces that you have shown us. Love the spalted wood and the forms are lovely. The Holly is my fav of the two. The spalted stuff can be challenging with all of it's soft spots, but it's beauty certainly makes it worth the effort. Nice stuff.

[Bill Wyko]

That is a real beauty. The contrast in colors really make this piece. very well done.

[Baxter Smith]

Really like the spalted holly. I hope some I am trying to spalt will come out that well!

[Don Robert]

Mike,
Sorry. I misunderstood that you were referring to form not the source of the wood. Should have put 2+2 together. Anyway, you did well on the form - I really like it.