Orange Birch Birthday Gift

[Steve Schlumpf]

This White Birch bowl was turned as a birthday gift for our neighbor, Linda. She and her husband Dennis belong to our local golf & country club and 2 years ago Dennis called informing me that the golf course had just dropped a large white birch tree and if I wanted any of the wood – come get it because they were just going to run it through a chipper! That happened in late April and as is typical in the U.P. there was still a lot of snow on the ground even though it was raining when I went to get the wood. Grabbing a truck load of extremely heavy chunks of wood was a very cold & wet experience but that is another story best told over a few beers! When I went to turn this bowl, I found out through my wife that Linda’s favorite color is orange. Orange? Why? :eek:

White Birch, 8.5” (216mm) diameter x 3.75” (95mm) high x 5/16” (8mm) thick. Dyed orange using red & yellow Transtint dye mixed with DNA. Multiple coats of gloss wipe-on poly, buffed and given a coat of Renaissance wax to help protect the finish.

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As always, your comments, opinions and critiques are welcomed!

Thanks for looking! :D

[Roger Chandler]

Nice curve to the bottom, and I like the inward sloped rim. Georgeous color. You have not lost your touch, Steve!

[Mel Fulks]

Nice,and love that color. Sinatra's favorite color was orange

[Chris Wdowiak]

Looks great. Good Job!!

[John Keeton]

Yep, it is ORANGE!! This is signature Schlumpf - always exemplary work.

[Dean S Walker]

Well done! nice shape visually appealing.

[Dave Fritz]

That's a dandy, great job on it. I love birch, unfortunately down in Southern Wis. it's pretty rare. I can get European birch but it's not as nice and clean as paper birch. I'm always surprised with how heavy wet birch is compared to how light it is when it drys. It must contain a lot of moisture.

[William C Rogers]

Great color Steve. I also use the transtint as it colors without hiding the wood grain.

[mike ash]

Great job Steve! That orange dye really gives the grain in the birch a deep and rich look!

[Sid Matheny]

Looks great and maybe she is from Tennessee and a UT fan. :)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks for the comments everyone - I do appreciate it! Got a call from Linda, who was not home when I dropped off the gift. She absolutely loved the bowl and thanked us numerous times for thinking of her! When it comes to turning, can't ask for anything more than that! :D

[carl mesaros]

Thanks for the comments everyone - I do appreciate it! Got a call from Linda, who was not home when I dropped off the gift. She absolutely loved the bowl and thanked us numerous times for thinking of her! When it comes to turning, can't ask for anything more than that! :D

Beautiful Steve. The thank you's and appreciation is what makes woodturning special for me.

[Martin Drummond]

beautiful piece Steve, great shape and form

[Frederick Skelly]

I like it Steve! The color came out well, just enough to be tasteful, but not enough to overpower.
Fred