timberturner

Handmade Wood Vases, Wood Bowls, Lamps, Jewelry Boxes

310 Sales

5 out of 5 stars (161)

timberturner

Handmade Wood Vases, Wood Bowls, Lamps, Jewelry Boxes

310 Sales On Etsy since 2008

5 out of 5 stars (161)

Shop owner

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Ray Asselin

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Ray Asselin

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310 Sales
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Announcement    The TimberTurner Shop - fine handmade wooden vases, bowls, lamps, treasure boxes, hollow vessels, burl bowls, and other handcrafted wooden items. Specializing in distinctive wood turnings of American and Australian burls and figured hardwoods.

For more info, please see my Profile and Shop Policy pages, and blog at www.timberturner.blogspot.com.

If you are interested in seeing additional fine wood bowls, vessels, and boxes, please visit my other site, www.bowlwood.com.

We DO ship internationally!! Please contact for shipping cost if outside the U.S.A.

Thank you to all who have left such great feedback, it's really encouraging and appreciated !

Announcement

The TimberTurner Shop - fine handmade wooden vases, bowls, lamps, treasure boxes, hollow vessels, burl bowls, and other handcrafted wooden items. Specializing in distinctive wood turnings of American and Australian burls and figured hardwoods.

For more info, please see my Profile and Shop Policy pages, and blog at www.timberturner.blogspot.com.

If you are interested in seeing additional fine wood bowls, vessels, and boxes, please visit my other site, www.bowlwood.com.

We DO ship internationally!! Please contact for shipping cost if outside the U.S.A.

Thank you to all who have left such great feedback, it's really encouraging and appreciated !

Reviews

Average item review
5 out of 5 stars
(161)
See reviews that mention:
quality 20 shipping 52 customer service 32

About

  • Salvaging blocks of Apple wood from a huge 5-foot diameter tree toppled by a storm in Western Massachusetts.
  • Salvaging a load of Willow burls from a windthrown tree in New Hampshire.
  • Manzanita Burl Keepsake Box w/ Turquoise Inlay
  • A New England winter day at the shop ...

Timberturner woodturning shop

Timberturner is located in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, an area that's richly endowed with hardwood forests that provide much of my raw materials.

The days zip by when I'm turning wood in a post-and-beam timber framed woodshop heated by a small potbelly stove. Every wall has windows that flood the work area with natural light and pleasing views that inspire me.

Woodturning- it's a fascinating way to reveal what nature has locked up inside a tree. Each wood species has unique grain patterns, figure, color, smell, density, and texture.

Many of the woods I turn are from local trees that have died or been taken down of necessity, or have been storm damaged. I generally don't cut down live trees for the sake of obtaining wood. The Australian burl woods I use are legally harvested and strictly controlled by Australian authorities. The burls are removed from the trees without cutting the trees down. These days, I mostly turn highly desirable American burl woods.

My first experience turning wood was on an old treadle lathe in a one-day class at Hancock Shaker Village in Hancock, Mass, some twenty years ago. I was hooked. In 1994, I purchased my first lathe, and have been enjoying turning ever since. Most of my turnings have been "weed pots" (vases into which you put dried weeds, grasses, seed heads, etc), but also include many other objects, such as platters, bowls, lamps, lidded boxes, candle holders, nutcrackers, and segmented items.

One of my favorite aspects of turning doesn't involve a lathe, however; it's "the hunt" .. the search for new wood species I haven't yet turned. Then, that first time something beautiful emerges from a new prized find... that's exciting.

Another reward is watching people's reactions as their hands explore the polished, lustrous surface of one of the pots; when they "ooooh" and "ahhhh", I know I've done a good job.


Several years ago I moved my woodshop out of the dreary basement into a newly built timber-framed post and beam workshop, which has more window area than solid walls. The daylight flooding in makes all the difference. I love time spent ankle deep in wood chips, particularly on snowy winter days, when the wood stove is crackling.

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  • Ray

    Owner

Shop policies

Last updated on March 24, 2014
Welcome to The TimberTurner woodturning shop, located in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. I make handcrafted wooden vases ("weed pots", bud vases), wooden table lamps, bowls, keepsake/jewelry boxes, candlesticks, hollow vessels, and other turned wood items on a woodturning lathe.

I search for and turn hardwoods that have unusual and attractive figure, such as burl woods, and tree sections (eg, branch crotches) that have wild grain patterns.

I particularly enjoy making pieces that feature natural "defects" and qualities of the wood that impart a sense of the rugged nature of trees, and what they have to endure. After all, a tree is rooted to the ground; it can't walk away from harsh conditions and injuries, it can only brave them and suffer the consequences. The results often produce the woods we appreciate so much.

Musical instrument builders often seek out the most spectacular looking woods for their creations. But they can't use the wood if it has bark inclusions, voids, or beetle holes. Those are just the features I often use.

Accepted payment methods

Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits
  • Money Order
  • Check
Returns and exchanges
If you are not happy with a purchase, you may return the item within two weeks of receiving it for a refund (minus shipping), as long as it is in the same condition as you received it. Return shipping costs will be your responsibility. Please contact me before returning an item.
Payment
Etsy Direct checkout preferred; PayPal, checks and money orders also accepted, but please allow time for personal checks to clear. Please contact me if paying by check or money order.
Shipping
Items are shipped from Massachusetts, USA.

I will combine ship multiple items in one box if possible, to save shipping costs. Purchases will be shipped promptly upon receipt of payment (if paying by personal check, I will ship once the check clears).

SHIPPING TO USA:

Items will usually be shipped via US Postal Service Priority Mail. Shipments will be insured, with tracking. I occasionally use Standard Post (for large packages) to save you money.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:

I do ship internationally- please contact me for the shipping cost to your country. International shipping can be slow, occasionally several weeks; please be patient. Delays are usually due to the customs agency of the destination country.

"Priority International" is the US Postal Service class I recommend, because insurance is available in this class. Tracking is provided.

"First Class International" is less expensive than Priority, but insurance is not available; if you choose this class, you will be responsible for loss or damage during shipping. Tracking is provided.

International Express shipping is available for an additional charge, but can be costly.
Additional policies and FAQs
If you have a custom piece in mind, please contact me; I'll be glad to discuss it with you. Custom requests will require at least a partial prepayment.