Second Chance

Gift

Second Chance

I received this live-edge cherry blank from the Arizona Woodturners Association and kept it in my shop for a long time. Its deep cracks, weathered bark and irregular shape made it an unlikely candidate for the lathe, and I nearly discarded it more than once.

As the rough exterior was turned away, the cherry revealed far more color and character than I expected. Pale golden sapwood flows into warm amber, copper and reddish-brown heartwood, while darker grain lines sweep through the interior and emphasize the bowl’s natural form. The smooth, polished surfaces bring those colors to life in striking contrast with the rugged bark, natural voids and uneven live-edge rim.

Rather than removing those imperfections, I worked with them and allowed the original shape of the wood to guide the finished piece. Every side offers a different balance of flowing grain, rich color and raw natural texture.

Second Chance is a reminder that beauty is not always visible at first—and that an imperfect piece of wood can still hold something remarkable. What nearly ended up in the scrap pile became a one-of-a-kind bowl, and one I am especially glad I chose to keep.

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