I have been working on this 13 inch Acacia Tray since December 2016 when I cut it off of a large piece of wood.  I really like the knots, configuration of the wood.  The different coloring is also a nice feature.  The wood was seasoned when I got it and I made the tray slightly thinker then I would normally because of fear that I would destroy it while turning it on the lathe.
Gary

Lichtenburg (fractal) Figures in Wood Turning.  On May 20, 2017, I attended my wood turning group (BAWA) meeting in Pleasant Hill.  At that meeting a presentation was made of making a homemade Lichtenberg figure wood burner.  This device can be made from a neon light electrical motor or a refrigerator electrical machine.   The device once plugged into a standard American socket can transmit Thousands of watts of electricity.  Two metal probes are attached to this homemade device and used on a piece of wood to make intricate designs.  You can see this being done by going to You Tube.  German physicist George Lichtenberg discovered the device.  He used it to make fractal patterns with it with appearances such as lightning or trees.  During the demonstration we were warned to be very careful because people using this device had experienced heart attacks when 1200 volts of current went through their chest.  After the demonstration our parent wood turners organization (American Wood turners Association) out lawed such demonstrations at our meetings.  Not being brave enough to make my own device, I ordered one from Conestoga Works.  After ordering the device, I almost returned it because of safety concerns.  Linda, very bravely marched us out on our patio and we used the device.  It operates off of a foot pedal.  I set the device up and from a distance, pushed the pedal.  A solution of baking soda and water must be spread on the piece of wood being electrocuted to make it work.  I followed these instructions and the designs on this bowl you see is the result.  Many burnings were required.  Linda had me stain the piece orange.  I am sure it will be one of our Halloween decorations.  We like how it turned it out.  The piece is made of Oak and is 3 ¼ by 6 inches. 

I just completed two wood turned objects.  One is a 3 ¾ by 8 ½ inch acacia bowl finished with Tung Oil.  The other is a competition Frisbee that Linda and I collaborated on together.  She did the very good colors on the wood grains visible on the Frisbee, which I had turned.  My wood turning group (Bay Area Wood Turners) has a competition scheduled for this summer to make Frisbees and see how far we can throw them at our annual picnic.  Mine is too heavy and is a threat to the spectators