Translucent Norfolk Island Pine Vase

[BILL DONAHUE]

This is the latest translucent Norfolk Island vase I've finished. It is 10" high x 5 3/4" wide and a consistant 1/16" thick. Have also included a photo of it in a new and empty china cabinet taken in mid day to illustrate that a completely dark environment is not needed to show off it's translucency. Even on a bright day it glows on a bookshelf or china cabinet and is a dramatic focal point in a room. It was soaked in a mixture of BLO and mineral spirits for almost 3 months - 24 to 48 hours in the mix then a day out. Unfortunately the photo doesn't show the bottom which I left thicker to avoid putting a foot on the bottom. That results in a better and more natural form when a light is not over it. (Just don't like the look of a foot which is present on most Norfolk Island pieces because of the light weight.)

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[Dick Mahany]

Incrediby beautiful. Your painstaking finishing process turned out excellent. What hollowing technique did you use ?

[Nate Davey]

Beautiful, I love the shape and the patience in finishing sure paid off!

[Keith Palmer]

Absolutely georgeous Bill!!

[Doug Herzberg]

Bill, you've got it down. I love these pieces. My wife has a little NIP in the TV room. In about 50 years, she'd better watch out. I'm tempted to try this with some of my blue pine. I'm noticing some translucence even in 1/4" thicknesses, and not just the sappy parts. You're doing a long term soak in BLO aren't you?

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

I'll bet you were squeezing your cheeks when you turned that piece. Walls that thin don't offer much forgiveness. The translucence is even the whole length. You must have done a wonderful job of keeping them uniform. Well done. A glowing testament to your skills and nerve.
faust

[Greg Just]

Well done Bill

[Dave Mueller]

Bill,
WOW! Ten inches high and 1/16" thick. I don't know which is more impressive - the turning or the finish. You certainly have shown a lot of patience and skill. Congratulations.

[Kathy Marshall]

Absolutely beautiful Bill! You've sure got that process down!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Excellent! Love the form! You did an outstanding job on the finish! Thanks for sharing!

[David DeCristoforo]

Sometimes the simplest forms are the best. These really let the wood do the talking but they do so with a simple and understated elegance. Beautiful!

[Baxter Smith]

Beautiful Bill! When I saw your first ones, I was thinking that the finish sounded like too much trouble for what you got. This one certainly doesn't make me think that way.:)

[Wally Dickerman]

Another great piece....The form and finish are excellent. 3 months for the finish? The results show it off.

[Mel Fulks]

I didn't know anything like that was possible. A beautiful thing.

[Jim Burr]

I like the foot Bill...give the illusion of fire coming from nowhere. Dedication and patience are really evident!!

[Michelle Rich]

dramatic is a great word for this..looks like coals in a fire..

[Ryan Baker]

Stunning piece with the lights on it! The form really suits it, and I like the foot too.

[BILL DONAHUE]

BTW - Meant to mention that I've been experimenting with different ways to induce spalting of the Norfolk Island Pine. Used yogart on this one. Have plans on doing the spalting in a more scientific manner in the future so I can measure the results. Thanks for all the kind comments.

[Tim Rinehart]

Gorgeous Bill!! That really shines nicely. I need to just have some steely like nerves to take my next one to that thinner level that makes that possible.
Excellent!

[Mark Hubl]

So pretty. Great way to show that piece off. Looks like glass, and that is good, real good.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Beautiful Bill and love the form.

[Curt Fuller]

Wow, now that's NIP turned and finished the way it was meant to be. Just absolutely beautiful!

[David Dooley]

That's a great display of talent and skill. Such a gorgeous piece!

[Eric Gourieux]

Bill,
It's already been said, but you did a great job on this. Do you mind sharing your source for NIP?