lilac for a shaman

While at the primitive skills immersion I attended this August I was introduced to a man named Tommy when I saw him in a film Lynx had made while in Sweden. He is her teacher in Shamanism. When I learned of him and how he likes to carve I thought he might like to have one of my spoons. Lynx was traveling to see him soon after the immersion, and could deliver it by hand! I made it small to fit easily in her luggage.

I chose lilac for it's strength and silky, ivory-like quality.  This branch piece came from a very old tree in Oregon City with a spiral trunk. The contrast of light and dark wood seemed like something that would appeal to one who sees and works with the interplay of light and dark forces. I prayed about the design for a while, trying to come up with something circular, as Tommy loves circles... this beautiful triple-crossed infinity spiral come to me and I accepted the challenge. I am so happy with how it came out!

alpine spruce

On the way up the mountain trail our small band of stoneage adventurers moved through a changing landscape full of beautiful plants. When we got up into the spruce trees I began to wonder if I could find a good piece from one of them to make a spoon out of. This spoon I made for Maggie is from the first shard I picked up. I didn't feel to cut or break a branch, out of respect for this beautiful, wild place. This piece was from a broken limb already laying on the ground. I left some of the bark to give a contrast to the elegance of this silky wood. Maggie is a beautiful mix of ruggedness and elegance.