Tipuana vase.  Had to use scrappers to make it.  Wood is the hardest I have ever worked with  Almost impossible.  It is a shade tree from South America and its sap is a blood red resin.  Considered an invasive weed.  11 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches. 

This wood is almost impossible to work (Tipuana).  From Bolivia considered an invasive weed.  Feels like I am cutting steel.

Gary and Linda collaborate on a bowl.  Linda did a hand rubbed finish.

I am making bottle toppers for my Tai Chi Group for Christmas.  I have made ten of them.  I have them in special plastic containers with a description of the wood I am using.  I am using Bocote, Cocobolo, Zebrawood, Birdseye Maple and Bubinga.  I hope they like them.  I plan to make ten more of them.

Just completed making a 10 1/2 platter and 9 inch bowl made of Liquid Amber.  Used Russ Fairfield finishing process involving 10 steps and two types of wax, brown steel wool and rottenstone.

Just finished making three small serving trays made from walnut.  Used extensive finishing process.  They feel smooth and soft.

I recently made this small wood platter.  I attended a wood turners group meeting in Sacramento last week with the Nor Cal wood turners group.  One of their semi professional wood turners named Neal Devore demonstrated making square, rectangular platters.  I bought four pieces of raw wood from him and was able to turn this piece.  I added a small nob to carry it based on Linda suggestion.  The piece has nice figuring.  I will make three more with the walnut wood I have left over.