How are Truffuls^™ made?

Each Trufful^™ is an original work of art. Even if the same woods and shapes are used in two Truffuls^™ each will be unique.

I review my stock and select which ever piece catches my eye. The piece is examined carefully, evaluating possible grain patterns and features.

I guess if I had a degree from a fancy art school, I'd say something along the lines of "I allow the spirit of the wood to become one with mine and we journey on a special vision quest to discover the life waiting to emerge." ;-)

In reality, I allow the wood to dictate what it wants to be. I do not use kits or copy other designers. While a story board or mockup can be referenced, I normally design on the lathe. Wood is my canvas and the lathe is my brush.

Every Trufful^™ is skillfully handcrafted on a lathe, often using tools I have designed and forged myself. I don't pump out work like a machine, some pieces may sit and stew for a year or more until I get the inspiration needed to finish a piece.

copper mica When the turning is complete each Trufful^™ is laboriously sanded under magnification to bring out the natural glow all wood has. Sometimes I can spend as much time sanding as it took to turn a piece. I complete my pieces with several diffent finishing methods. I aim for a warm glow, not a plastic glaze. Oil finishes make grain, figure & chatoyance pop, but they can be time consuming as the oil needs to cure.

Finials require special processing because of their delicate structure. Each tiny element must be completed before moving to the next section because the supporting stock diminishes as the design progresses. Each element is shaped, sanded through all the grits and finished before moving on.

Some woods have voids or inclusions. Other woods may react to the release of internal stresses or moisture and crack. These are natural surprises that make each piece even more unique. Theses are NOT flaws! I may enhance these natural elements by using a mica or mineral filler as seen here. Many of the world's most highly respected woodturners have pieces with cracks/inclusions/voids in the world's finest museums.

Banksia Pods (at right) are actually seed pods from tropical flowers and the holes you see are where the seeds used to be. Full face shields must be worn when turning these as the seeds are hard, sharp and moving at a very high speed. ;-O

How are Truffuls™ made?

How are Truffuls^™ made?