Very rustic (or as Mark calls it 'Wabi sabi' ) piece

[bodrighywood]

Might be a bit too rustic for some but I love the challenge of these piece. It is the left over crotch from a cherry limb I had that nearly went into the firewood pile but I thought I'd give it a go. It's 7" max diameter and is on a warped piece of unknown wood as a base. Of  necessity ended up a bit thicker than I'd have liked but if I had gone any thinner I would have been left with nothing.

Pete

[Bryan Milham]

Pete,

this gets my vote, The 'unknown wood' base, being unworked and washed out of colour really sits well under the vase. If it had been worked or more coloured it would have detracted from the overall final appearance, to it's detriment.

Mark always adds something, stones, I don't see them here, but I do see something more organic in the dished area to the front - nuts, hazels or acorns - no idea why, it carries well as it is, but you might try a few strange items, if nothing else as an experiment.

[Les Symonds]

Hi Pete....really like this and it just goes to show that we should all be taking a second look at those lumps of root and rotten trunks that we consign to the wood-pile. I'm frantically finishing a big batch of small items for Christmas, but fancy having a go at a root that I've got, just to see what secrets it holds, and this piece is just the inspiration that I need.
Like Bryan, I think that the plinth works really well, but I'm not experienced enough to know whether or not added bits-and-bobs would add to the composition, or detract from it. I guess I'd have to try arranging a few pieces and see how it works!
Les

[bodrighywood]

Thanks both. At the moment it is sitting on the shelf getting stared at daily and may well have a stone or something added. The thing is that there is so much going on with the grain, bark etc that it would have to be something special that fits in. We'll see LOL.

Pete

[Mark Sanger]

Like Bryan, I think that the plinth works really well, but I'm not experienced enough to know whether or not added bits-and-bobs would add to the composition, or detract from it. I guess I'd have to try arranging a few pieces and see how it works!
Les

Les
 
I think you are doing yourself a misjustice in saying you are not experienced enough to know.  It is just a case of, as you say, arranging a few pieces and seeing how it works.

Experimenting and not worrying if it doesn't work is the key. Place it on the side in the workshop or home and look at it for a few weeks. You will soon start to know what you like or not.

We are all learning and developing but can only do this if we take risks.

[bodrighywood]

I am fortunate in having a partner who loves this sort of thing and so I am able to have pieces lying around being looked at and fiddled with. I have several at the moment that need some sort of tweeking and will eventually get the right attention. As Mark says it is a case of experimenting. I leave the spigots on most and have boxes of pebbles, semi precious stones and bits as well as an assortment of bits of burr, root, off cuts that get added, taken away until I am happy with it. Also putting pieces up here and other forums for review helps as honest opinion makes you look at something differently. I can't remember the last time one of these pieces came off the lathe and didn't get adapted or added to in some way or other.

Pete

[Eric Harvey]

lovely piece Pete,its always nice when a piece like this works without exploding on you,well worth the effort in my opinion,regards,

Eric.

[bodrighywood]

Thank you Eric. These pieces always have that 'whew' factor when you finally get them off the lathe as there can be so many hidden faults. I have learnt to listen hard to the sound as I cut as that often warns me if there are hidden faults.

Pete