This is one of Ed's bowls that exudes personality. It is large and sturdy, as beech is one of the harder woods, but it has a defect, a divot on the outside. When Ed is coaxing bowls from the chunks of hardwood he finds, he accepts that not every piece of wood is perfection, as he says, none of us are, why would nature produce only perfect pieces? If you're looking for a lasting gift, or gifting yourself, this is a bowl for you.
These are hand-made wooden bowls, created one at a time from local trees, in Ed Hoovler's Monson workshop. From the time a tree is identified as a possible source of interesting, useful, well-crafted bowls to the end of the finishing and buffing process, nearly a year passes. The wood is shaped, set off to dry for 6+ months, given its final shape, hand-sanded in a 10-step procedure, finished in a 6-step technique and, finally, buffed in three-step operation. Theses bowls are meant to be used and are easy to maintain. Wash in warm soap and water, then dry with a soft cloth. Do not soak and do not use in a microwave. When the finish becomes dull over the course of time, renew with a liberal hand application of mineral oil, allow to sit for 30 minutes, then polish with a soft cloth. #240
