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Natural Edge Tri-Footed Bowl
Siberian Elm Wood

This wood-turning was made from Siberian Elm from our backyard that fell over during a spring thunderstorm in 2003. As with any of my tri-footed bowls, the first question many people usually ask is, how do I glue the legs on. The answer is that I don't: I start turning the natural edge bowl from the outside bark line inward towards the center, and then - for the supporting legs - a second circle is turned on the bottom. After the curing and drying time, the bowl is sanded and then the legs are carved and hand sanded to their final form. And, yes, the legs are strong enough to support this bowl and it's contents.

A bowl of this type is not for everyone, and I do not turn all of my bowls in this manner. I try incorporating these tri-footed features - labor-intensive as they are - whenever possible to permit the bowl to stand above the tabletop. Credit to Rodger Jacobs, a North Carolina woodturner, for his "Sneaky Feet" design - which I've taken several steps further in evolution.

Finished with my standard multiple coats of Tung oil and topped off with several coats of lacquer spray, this piece - as well all of my other works - will last several lifetimes if handled properly.