Raspberry Glaze Wood Donut is a Hollow Form style of woodturning. It requires skill and experience to remove the interior wood through a small opening. The maker does this with hook shape tools. Unable to see into the opening he relies on calipers and sound to remove the interior wood and not break through the sidewall. Raspberry Glaze Wood Donut is maple burl with a red stain over black with a lacquer finish. You can see where the insects took their share of bites. The size is 6 inch diameter by 3 inches tall.
This process was invented by Master Wood Turner, David Ellsworth in the 1970’s. Previously it a form known by glass blowers and ceramists. David, thought it would be possible to produce this shape in wood. The challenge being that woodturning is a process that removes material. Ceramics and glass add material. A block of wood is static. It cannot be made larger.
From Utility to Art Form
This process is revolutionary and wood turning became an art form. Ellsworth openly shares his techniques. Because of him you may ask a woodturner how they make something they will share their knowledge. This is not so true in other crafts. Ask a jeweler how they make their piece and chances are they will not share their technique.
Here is a link to another hollow form piece.
Studio
I produce all of my items in Montvale, NJ USA studio. I divide my time between the lathe and finishing at the workbench. My primary tool is the wood lathe. This helps create the initial form, but the piece must always go to the workbench for refinement to come to life. Several techniques including carving, piercing, pyrography which is brand wood with a hot wire, staining and painting will happen at the bench.