Robert Nelson Woodturning

[mica]

My uncle Bob is an amazing woodturner. Every year I ask if I can offer some of his work to our customers, because we all appreciate fine wood and fine woodworking. He's usually sold out, but this year I got my request in early and Mary brought these pieces in yesterday:        Flame Maple Wine Goblets    Bases are turned from Flame Maple, finished with a familiar glossy polyester finish. 9 inches high, 3 inch diameter base, $175/set of two        

       

       

            Burl Lidded Bowl    Bowl is turned from a solid piece of Redwood Burl, the top a solid piece of Burl Maple, with some terminal buds left intact at the knob. Finished in low-lustre polyurethane. 5.25 diameter, 5 inches high with lid, $275        

       

       

            Spalted Burl Maple Vase    Turned from a solid piece of Spalted Burl Maple. Not for fresh flowers - all natural holes are left intact. Finished in low-lustre polyurethane. Stunning! 6.5 inches high, 4.25 inch mouth, 2.25 inch base, $165        

        Maple and Purpleheart Wine Glasses    Dozens of Maple and Purpleheart pieces artfully joined to create these breathtaking tall glasses. 10.5 inches high, 3.5 inch diameter base, $395/set of two        

       

       

       

        I've been the lucky recipient of Bob's work before, and like the Alembics he makes for his "day job" these snapshots pale in comparison to the real deal.      (Message edited by mica on December 15, 2004)

[mica]

The Maple and Purpleheart stems are on hold.

[valvil]

The Maple & purpleheart stems are not on hold anymore; the burl lidded bowl is sold.
 
Valentino

[bsee]

I think I'll hold out for ebony laminated stems for a more sustained finish!
 
Those maple/purpleheart stems are really interesting to look at.  I bet that, functionally, they are also superior in that they will conduct less of the heat from your hand through to the wine as compared to the usual glass/crystal stem.  Oh, and if they ever stain, the color will blend right in!
 
By the way, are they made to be like that from scratch, or did they start from the leavings of various bass necks?  Those bases look like they could have come from a deluxe-laminate six string.  Just as people were discussing boxes topped with pieces from the same piece of wood that became their bass, it would be equally cool to have a set of wine glasses made from the same wood as one's bass!  (Okay, admittedly I am a wine snob.  So shoot me...)

[valvil]

The stems were made like that from scratch. They really are stunning in person.
 
Valentino

[bsee]

They're stunning in the photos too!