Mesquite Bud Vase

[TattooedTurner]

The younger of my two daughters had a large mesquite tree taken down that was causing problems with both the driveway and the expansion of her home. Guess who got most of the wood?



That's right, 3 truckloads of the stuff! Turns like a dream and I love the contrast of the creamy sapwood and dark heartwood. Sanded to 400, BLO, sanding sealer, and a finish I make with walnut oil, microcrystalline wax, and carnauba wax just to give it a bit of a luster. I was going to do a gloss poly finish but I wanted a more natural look and I'm glad I went with the low sheen. I'm very happy with this one and since it's the first thing I've turned from the tree I think it's fitting to give it back to her. I hope she likes it as much as I do. It's far from perfect, but it isn't too bad either!


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[mark james]

That's beautiful Jay. And I love the fact that you left a more natural finish. To me that is my preferred way to enjoy the beauty of the wood. Nice shape also.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bob in SF]

Beauty, Jay!

 

[Charlie_W]

Excellent Bud Base! The coloring of the heart wood and sap are great!

 

[SteveAxelrod]

Looks like all the practice on cast mini vases paid off! Your daughter will love it! Glad you're finally back in the shop. Sounds like you have a lot of mesquite to turn. Welcome back Jay!

 

[gimpy]

That is really sharp. Congrats on your haul

 

[leehljp]

Beautiful display of the wood!

 

[TattooedTurner]

Thanks for the kind comments. I'm sure I'll many more to show over the next few years!

Looks like all the practice on cast mini vases paid off! Your daughter will love it! Glad you're finally back in the shop. Sounds like you have a lot of mesquite to turn. Welcome back Jay!

Thanks Steve. Day 26 and I still have the crud. I wanted to start on another project but I ran out of gas pretty early today.

 

[Pen Zen]

Great use of beautiful wood. Well done.

 

[1080Wayne]

I wouldn`t worry too much about that level of imperfection . Absolutely perfect finish to my eye . Should be a much appreciated surprise from Surprise .

 

[TattooedTurner]

Thank you for the additional comments. She loves it, along with a few of her friends. I think I'm getting some hints lol.

 

[Kim Ellis]

I like the different colors of the sapwood and heartwood. It's hard to tell from the photo how tall the vase is. I like its shape and finish too.

 

[TattooedTurner]

I like the different colors of the sapwood and heartwood. It's hard to tell from the photo how tall the vase is. I like its shape and finish too.

Thanks Kim. It's not very big, a little under 5" tall.

 

[MikeL]

Nice shape to that vase! The grain looks beautiful.

 

[TattooedTurner]

Nice shape to that vase! The grain looks beautiful.

Thank you, I had no idea mesquite looked like this. In fact, up until two weeks ago I thought it was just for smoking.