Quilted Bigleaf Maple Platter

Quilted Bigleaf Maple has rare wavy figuring that looks like ripples on water.  Highly prized for its beauty, it is often used when making guitars and musical instruments. Imagine Brian's anticipation as he prepared to make a platter from this very special board.



Brian scribed a circle with his compass and cut the board with his band saw.  He was able to keep a portion of the bark intact as a feature of the platter.

The maple circle was mounted on the lathe with the faceplate so that Brian could turn the shape of the platter.  Bigleaf Maple is a light golden colour which contrasts with the reddish brown of the bark edge.

Once the graceful shape of the bottom of the platter was completed, Brian cut a dovetail to insert a chuck.  This allowed him to mount the other side of the platter so he could turn the top.

There were many steps of sanding, polishing and oiling which resulted in a smooth finish to enhance and protect the beauty of the wood.



Quilted Bigleaf Maple Platter



The process from the raw maple board to this exquisite platter was satisfying as the true and natural beauty of the quilted figuring was revealed. 

The complex and intricate patterns of the wood are completed by the texture of the bark edge. It is indeed a work of art.

Yellow Birch Burl-From Burl to Bowl

The process of making a bowl is most rewarding when it begins with cutting the burl from the tree.  A call from a woman in Novar about a dead yellow birch tree with an enormous burl on it was followed up with Brian's visit with the chainsaw.  This 3 foot section is just part of the total burl.



The burl was too large to turn on the inner section of the lathe so after the faceplate was attached, it was mounted on the outboard side of the lathe.  It weighed about 100 pounds.

With a very sharp gouge, Brian turned off the outer bark and shaped the bottom of the bowl.

The figuring and spalting of the bowl was revealed as it was shaped and buffed.

Burls are irregular growths that naturally occur on trees with variations in colour, grain and bark inclusions.  Brian turned the inside of the bowl, buffed it and gave it many coats of a food-safe finish.



Yellow Birch Burl Bowl

The finished yellow birch bowl is exceptional with a natural edge, beautiful figuring and a graceful shape.  The original owners of the tree visited Brian's workshop and decided that it must return to their home.  Their excitement as they left the workshop with the finished bowl was satisfying as they could truly appreciate the process from burl to bowl.

Camphor Burl Platters

Brian specializes in Canadian burls but he also enjoys the opportunity to work with exotic wood. This is the first time he has turned camphor burl with excellent results. Camphor is an evergreen tree, in the laurel family, found mostly in Australia and Asia. 

When Brian was turning this aromatic wood, the workshop was infused with the distinct, pungent aroma of camphor.  The scent was no longer present after the finishing process of oiling and sealing the platters so Brian saved some of the wood shavings in plastic bags so that the purchaser could experience the smell of camphor.

A lustrous wood, this burl has a deep red tint with a dark brown and golden wavy figuring.  This photo is a close-up of the rich colour and grain.

These spectacular camphor burl platters measure 13.5 and 18.5 inches. The beautiful finish accentuates the extensive figuring in this highly prized and rare burl. Whether on display, or used in presenting food, they would be a showpiece in any home.