I have been turning wood sculpture since 2008 and one of the foci of my sculpture is in urn artistry. That is I make one off turned wooden cremations urns. Urn artistry is an adaptation out of my asymmetric hollow forms. The idea has always been to create forms of cremation urns that are more appealing (visually), comforting, and warm …
Propolis and Other Bee Hive Products
In the last year or so I have had more people looking for or asking about Propolis, mostly for medical reasons. Many people that I talk to are actually unaware that there is more than honey that just comes out of the hive. Honey and beeswax are the two things most people think about. However, there is bee pollen which …
Which Food Safe Wood Finishes are Worth Using and Which aren’t?
I am a wood turner and woodworker out of Raleigh, North Carolina professionally producing items for well over the last fifteen years. This article delves into the top food safe wood finishes on the market. I have used most of these finishes at some point in time. So, I will discuss background on each finish and what I believe to …
What Types of Wood Finishes should I use for Woodturning and Woodwork
I am a wood turner and woodworker out of Raleigh, North Carolina professionally producing items for well over the last twelve years. This article delves into the types of wood finishes used for woodturning and general woodwork. Bob Flexner’s book “Understanding Wood Finishing” is the best book I have read on wood finishes. Its well worth picking up as it …
Pure North Carolina Honey – The Journey in Treatment Free Beekeeping
7.29.21 – Apiary Size – Mid/Late summer 2021 1.25.21 – End of Season 2020 9.18.20 – The Fall Nectar Flow 9.1.20 – Finishing out the Summer 6.15.20 – The start of the June dearth 4.22.20 – Tracking the Nectar Flow for NC Honey 3.27.20 – Double Deep Swarm Box 3.24.20 – Gearing up for Swarm Catching I started a …
Van Duyn Bees – Honey Order Form
Fill out the form below to place an order for some raw local honey. Ordering details are below the order form… click here to skip to ordering details. Ordering Details Welcome and I am glad you made it here. Should you be interested in learning more about me/beekeeping take a look at this honey information page. Additionally, I am chronicling …
Trinity Academy Senior Class 2020 Fundraiser – Clary Sage Honey
The Trinity Academy Class of 2020 is raising funds for their senior trip to Italy. I have offered my support in their fundraising efforts by making the Clary Sage honey I produce available for sale through them. Currently, of the approximately 170lbs, 110 lbs of honey have been sold raising around $900 for the senior class. My wife and I …
Using a Wood Lathe with Chuck for Mounting Wood – Especially for Small Opening Vessels
In previous articles I have covered the cutting and preparing of wood for turning on a lathe. Now its time to move on, and this article covers mounting on a wood lathe with chuck. The mounting of wooden blanks for lathe turning seems a pretty rudimentary topic. Possibly so mundane its not worth mentioning. Ultimately what’s important, and where I …
Everything You Need to Get Great Free Wood for Wood Turning Blanks
This article covers the selection, gathering, and processing of wood turning blanks and turning stock. I am a professional wood sculptor primarily in the creation of asymmetrical, irregular, and off-balance natural edge wood sculpture. I also make cremation urns and some functional wood bowls. The bulk of my experience is in bowl and hollow turning. I will also talk about …
Affordable Cremation – a Guide on Direct Cremation
This is a guide on the most affordable cremation option – direct cremation. I write this as a wood sculptor making high quality turned wooden urns. Which is an adaptation of my sculpture, or urn artistry as I like to call it. Why do I write this? I have written several articles on cremation and I want the public to …