Woodturning - need inspiration

[Simpo Two]

I bought this chunk of Laburnum from a guy who sells woodturning blanks.

It came from the join of two branches so I thought it might have some interesting grain inside. I've turned it down to something manageable but am now stuck for an idea as to what to make from it. I'm sure there's something amazing inside but can't picture it. Probably a bowl or vase of some sort, but the grain is so striking I wonder what shape would suit it. The grain pattern is so strong it rather transcends any shape!











Look forward to any ideas/photos/examples you may have or can think of!

[B17NNS]

Can't help with inspiration but it's a very pretty piece of wood. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

[HarryHill]

As above, i see it pinched in in the centre, sort art deco woman, flared into fruit bowl which probably doesn't make much sense, but i have it in my head.

[Simpo Two]

'Art deco woman fruit bowl'... well yes, it would be good, if I was a woodcarver as well!

Anyway, things have progressed; I had an idea, and whilst heading towards that stumbled on another, and whilst heading towards that stumbled on another... the bottom half is complete but I've just had a minor catastophe trying to turn the top half as the base broke in the chuck. That's the downside of fancy grain.

It's currently being glued back together and I'll have another go tomorrow! Chucking is always the issue...

[48k]

Looks like it could be the base for a table lamp.

[bernhund]

I just sat staring at your pictures thinking I'd come up with something creative in no time. Nothing happened whatsoever! Looking forward to seeing what you did come up with.

[Simpo Two]

Well I've hit rather a snag. I made good progress and a nice shape emerged - it was going to be a vase with a flared top - but on closer examination that deep crack on each side goes closer to the centre, so if I try to hollow it it will almost certainly fly/fall apart...

For anyone interested, here are some photos of the evolution. I often find that the idea I had before I started gets superseded by better ones along the way...

I have an idea for a flared vase with a collar 1/3 of the way up:


Nope, changed my mind, I like this shape instead...




Then a flash of genius; I put a little step in and something interesting appears...




Bottom half completed. Now sanding sealer and wax before I turn it round to do the top half...




After a failed experiment with some reversing jaws which saw part of the base break out, I've stuck it back, re-finished the bottom half and now decide it will have to be held with a screw chuck - this is the hole for it...


Looks like a piece of roast beef... this wood is hard and lumpy; not looking forward to the next bit...






I try to speed up the hollowing with a Forstner bit but the wood is so hard it starts to burn...


And this is where I am so far:






If I hollow out the inside as planned, the central part holding the thing together will be gone - so I'm a bit stuck! I suppose I could round it off and make it a lamp base but the base is rather small.

Project on hold!

[HarryHill]

Thats lovely.