|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This 'museum piece' is a delectable consortium of Poison Ivy vines that gathered themselves in a ball at the base of a tree. (I put a curly willow branch in it merely to confuse you.) It's about 10 inches high, and 8 inches wide. $1,400 John
A. Styer 410-287-8844
This is a Box Elder vessel, turned on three different axis
This vessel is Spalted Japanese Maple from Alexandria, Virginia
This natural-edge vessel is turned from Hackmatack, a member of the Larch family. It was used in the reconstruction of the Kalmar Nyckel, the ship that brought the first Swedes to America, in 1638.
More Kalmar Nyckel wood, the mortar is Purpleheart. The pestle is Osage Orange from another ship, the Sultana. It was built in Chestertown, Md.
This coffee grinder is turned from Spalted Beech. It comes with a coffee catcher, a small vessel that is hidden inside it.
This is another natural-edge vessel, turned from Japanese Maple.
This is my foray into gilding. (If you gild it they will buy.) This American Boxwood vessel is gilded with 23 carat gold leaf.
This is American Cherry, turned very thinly, displaying beautiful grain.
Lots of wood borers assisted with this piece. It is Maple, from Hyattsville, Maryland. Its demise, no doubt, was caused by the very contributors to my turning.
This thin-walled vessel is turned from the Sugar Maple tree that was in danger of falling on the Fair Hill Nature Center - so it was taken down, to be put to better uses. Like this.
This piece of history is called a World Time Piece. it allows you to see the time at 24 locations throughout the globe. The wood is an Oak beam from Elk Landing, in Elkton, Maryland, a structure built around 1780, which makes this piece of wood well over 300 years old.
The top and bottom of this lamp are turned from Cherry. The spiraled vine is an unknown species. (Looks good, doesn't it?)
|
Definitions & Elucidations
Every catalogue that crosses my threshold seems to have new items which cry out for my involvement with them. I feel it is my obligation to honor their demands, to the extent possible. But not necessarily today. Therefore, while most of the items listed here are presently in stock, or can be turned in short order, there may be a few projects which you and I will enjoy for the first time, together. And some things, (occasionally custom orders), may involve a bit more time. This may depend on parts that may need to be ordered, which may be delayed, availability of a particular kind of wood, time constraints, or even the need for a nearly finished product to 'weather' before completion. Writing Instruments. Although most of my pens are variations of ball points, they include a wide variety of writing devices. They fall in the ($), ($$), & ($$$) range (mostly $$). The most popular are twist pens, which are ball points that expose the tip by a simple twist at the center of the pen. Most are wood, some Dymondwood, which is a process of bonding colored birch veneers together and cutting them diagonally, to produce a swirl pattern on the pen. And some are constructed from plastic compounds, such as Acrylic Acetate (AcryliGem), or Celluloid Acetate (Crushed Velvet). Most of the twist pens have a standard Cross type insert, medium point, and black ink. Similar, or matching pencils have .5 mm. lead. I also have Parker style pencils, with .7 mm. lead. The European-style pens were once called Mont Blanc style, because of their shape (Mont Blanc wasn't so crazy about other people using their fine name, which is why "European" is now the name of choice.) I make them, and assemble them, with a similar shape, and possibly better quality, at a fraction of the usual and customary price. Cigar pens are called that because of their shape. They are larger-barreled, a bit heavier, and very attractively arrayed. The fountain pens accept a standard cartridge, but an ink pump is also available, which allows you to access a bottle of ink without painting yourself, or your attire. Roller ball pens, my personal favorite, write so much smoother than a ball point, and the writing looks like it was done with a fountain pen. Mini-pens come with a black silk lanyard (for neckwear), a key ring, or a latch. Some are detachable meaning the cap comes off, and goes back on. There are also click pens and push pens (ball point), a pen/pencil combination writing instrument (twist one way for the pen, the other for the pencil) a double-tip pen, which writes black from one end, and red from the other, purse pens, and single-piece pens, which I turn from wood, using the inserts from any of a thousand plastic pens. Vessels ($$) This category is generally the potpourri family. The turned wood vessels are usually six inches or less in diameter, and usually two to four inches high. The lids can be pewter, brass, filigree, embroidered, ceramic, cloisonne, or Staffordshire bone china, among others. The lidless vessels are candy dishes and the like, or simply conversational pieces. They are usually turned of highly figured wood, and polished to a high luster. Containers ($$$) Usually larger, these pieces are higher quality, and often contain outstanding characteristics, such as knots and knot holes, natural edges, variations in the color of the wood, unique grain patterns, inlaid cracks, and a wide range of shapes. Bowls are the most popular shapes, but this category would also include plates, cups, vases, urns, and lamps. Bowls, Canisters ($$$$) Size is not so much a factor here as is the gallery quality of the finished product. A bowl in this category will generally be thin-walled, or will have unique characteristics to it. It will also usually be highly polished. Designed as a center of attraction, it will command a preferred location in your decorative arrangements. ($$$$$) This is my personal stock, some of which may be available for private viewing, but the vast portion of which is in the design stages, and has not left my realm of ideas and planted itself on the work table yet. There is a distinct possibility that the aforementioned may occur, with frightening speed, in a fit of enthusiasm. The end product is likely to fall into one of the previous categories, meaning that it would be publicly available. But no guarantees can be made regarding those decisions, which are left solely up to the thoughts that cross my mind at the most unexpected times. Magnifying glasses ($$) These come in a couple of styles: a desktop paperweight, and with a handle. But then, I also have a third style (so that would be more than a couple, wouldn't it?), a miniature magnifying glass, worn as a necklace. Victorian Bookmarks ($) These have a Victorian design, which is what gives them the name, with a turned wood disk attached to them, and are, well, bookmarks. Key rings ($) A large variety is available, including detachable styles, spring-loaded, padlock style, and one that is attached to a mini-pen. Peppermills & Coffee Grinders ($$$) That's what they are. They have grinding mechanisms, which is what makes them that. The coffee grinder comes with a coffee catcher, because, otherwise, you'd have to sprinkle the coffee on your eggs, like you do the pepper. These generally have an outstanding and unique aspect in the wood. Perfumery ($) Perfume holders, perfume vials, perfume atomizers, and perfume pens (you dab your favorite scent when and where you wish, and keep the pen in your purse - this saves you the aggravation of spilling a bottle in your suitcase. Compacts ($) 10k gold plated case, with beautifully polished wood lid contains a standard mirror and a magnifying mirror. Pill Boxes ($) Advertised as a secret box, I think most people use it for pills, hence my name for it. It has three compartments. Brush ($) Made of genuine Chinese hog bristles, this brush is non-static, and therefore perfect to keep your computer screen clean. Eggs ($) All sizes, generally egg shaped, usually made of figured wood, they are also available with solid brass egg stands. They used to be called darning eggs, but, since people throw socks out nowadays, instead of darning the holes, I market them as "stress reducers", to be used offensively, or defensively. Tops ($) Solid wood tops, tops with brass fittings, and drawing tops (the kind that can really do creative things on your dining room table). Light/Fan Pulls ($) Made of distinctive woods, these are drilled specifically to fit onto your light switch chain, or ceiling fan chain. Confetti Lights ($) I don't know why they're called that. They are little oil lamps, which sit inside a beautifully turned encasement. They come with a fiberglass wick, which never needs to be trimmed, since the wick, itself, doesn't burn. Bottle Stoppers ($) Designed for wine bottles, each one is unique. Corkscrews ($) Speaking of bottle stoppers, I guess these are only appropriate. Corkscrew/Bottle Stoppers ($$) You knew that was coming didn't you? They're very elegant looking. The corkscrew is threaded into the stainless steel (with rubber O rings) bottle stopper, capped by exquisitely grained rosewood. Toothpick holders ($) That's right, some manufacturers have simply run out of ideas. You can use them for contraband, if you are toothless. I used to sell them with a $1 bill rolled up inside, but it was too much trouble getting the bill out. So, now, I sell them for $115, with a hundred dollar bill rolled up in it. (That makes it worth the effort.) Whistles ($) These are shrill, the kind that get attention, and are highly polished, with a key ring attached. Yes, dogs can hear them, and so can humans. Salt and Pepper Shakers ($) There are countless kinds. My British supplier has a beautiful brass assortment, which are collector's items, after I turn the luscious vessels which hold them. Fifty Year Calendars ($) No, that is not a mis-print. They are accurate, and with minor calculations, you can make them perpetual calendars. Hummingbird Feeders ($$) You put 3 parts water and 1 part sugar in them, and the hummingbirds will find them (generally in the temperate zones). Mini tool kit key rings ($) Each one comes with four different tips: two sizes of flat blade screwdrivers, a Philips head, and a punch.
The above pieces have taken up residency at my own address.
These are among the pieces that were stolen from my booth at the Havre de Grace Art Show in 2002. If you happen to see them someplace, please let me know - the rest of the booty is possibly nearby, if it hasn't been destroyed by the perpetrator(s).
|
