Custer Ranch Creations

A new type of bowl for me is now listed on my Etsy shop. A small Aspen Winged Bowl. It was a fun little project to figure out and turn. Basically I attached a branch sideways to the lathe and turned it down forming the wings and the bowl. The more square edges are the width of the branch and the wings are from the continuation of the branch length.

Its a perfect little bowl for simple storage of rings, keys or or other small items.

I hope you enjoy!

www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations

Every once in awhile, you bump into a piece of wood that you know is destined for something important. You may not know what it is at the time, but you know its time will come.

This is a piece of Ponderosa Pine that came from the Custer Ranch a few years ago when my father was still living there. I went into the shop today knowing I wanted to make something special to give to the nurses at the assisted living home where my dad spent his last days. This piece of wood was waiting for me at the top of the pile. It did not disappoint. The beetle kill coloring, the rays and the rings made an explosive, beautiful, and special vase to help honor the memory of my father and thank the special women who cared for him before he passed.

Another fun little maple box I was able to get done today. Tried a new coloring technique using dyes. Little hard to tell in the photo but it goes from dark blue at the bottom to dark purple at the top and blended in between.

It's 3 1/2 inches tall and 2 1/4 wide.

www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations

Something new for me. A lidded maple box with a pink and purple accent on top. Perfect for storing small jewelry pieces or secret treasures. Lid is a pressure fit that actually makes a "pop" noise when you pull it off. Stands about 3 1/2 inches high and about 2 1/4 inches wide.

One of my goals this year is to improve my box making abilities. This one is a far step above the others I've made. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations

Here is the latest creation. A hollow vase/ twig pot made from beetle kill Ponderosa Pine that grew at the ranch. The tree fell over a few years ago and I was able to salvage some of the wood. The ash gray coloring is contamination that leeches into the sapwood as the beetles burrow into the tree. The vase stands about 3 1/4 inches high and is about 2 1/2 inches wide.

My Etsy shops a little empty right now, which I guess is a good thing. I hope to start restocking soon.

As usual, thank you for all your kind words and support!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations

Newest w**d pot was completed over the weekend. The knot, grain patterns and beautiful coloring are amazing. When you put a piece of wood on the lathe you never know what the inside will hold. Thank you to my friend Frank for giving me this little gem!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations

Latest creation from the shop. Similar to the last one, but made from beautiful Aspen. I hope you enjoy!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations

I completed a new twig pot vase from some beetle kill pine harvested from the ranch a couple of years ago. The beautiful rays from the knots combined with the gray striping caused by the beetles make a very visually distinctive piece. I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/CusterRanchCreations/tools/listings/stats:true

I spent some rare spare time in the shop last weekend and was able to get something done. Its a small, 3.5h x 2.5w Aspen bud vase. The coloring, spalting, knots and wormholes make the depth of figure an incredible sight. More info if you are interested on my Etsy site. Have a great weekend!

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/CusterRanchCreations/tools/listings/stats:true

Hi Everyone. I've been away for awhile fighting through life, but managing to keep my head above water and occasionally getting into the shop. Thank you for those who have stayed with me!

Here is the latest creation of an Aspen twig with a bark inclusion. I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations?ref=l2-about-shopname

Sibling Aspen twig pots, turned from the same log, same starting point, but opposite directions.

Etsy: CusterRanchCreations
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterRanchCreations?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1340861420