Memorial Woodturnings

After the passing of my only brother, John Parat, I wondered if any of you guys have made some sort of memorial gift turning from a piece of tree, lumber or other wood that was from their home or work?

Turning A Woodturning
As A Memorial Gift

Have you ever turned a piece of wood to give away as a memorial gift?

I know I have seen questions in different woodturning groups, forums and blogs about how to turn a wood urn, but I have never come across any discussions on turning a bowl or other object to give away as a gift to those close to the one who has passed away.

I never really thought about a memorial woodturnning until my brother passed away. His name was John and he passed away very quickly from cancer on September 14, 2018. Although we did not see much of each other over the years because of the distance between us and my own health problems …..time or distance will never negate how you feel or think of a brother or siste, you have a forever bond with your siblings and his passing still does not seem real to me.

John Heated His Home with Wood

John had a farm in Wisconsin, he raised birds and had a small hunt club. He heated his house with wood. So like anyone who has some acerage I knew I could find a few pieces of wood laying around so I could turn some memorial woodturnings.

Grabbed Some Logs After The Funeral To Make Memorial Turnings

After the funeral we stopped by the farm, I found 2 big piles of chopped wood and a couple of piles of logs that were kind of dry and I looked for some pieces that I might be able to make something out of. We came home with 3 or 4 logs, not sure what any of it is but they were big enough to make some bowls with.

I found the log that I wanted and made a turning blank when I got home.

So, I stared thinking that a nice bowl would be a perfect “memorial woodturning” for some of my family members. I was thinking mainly of my mother and my sister. A small bowl to bring back happy memories of my brother, a memorial bowl that could be placed in a corner or shelf, filled or empty but an object that, when looked at, would bring back memories of the brother and son that we had lost.

The seed was planted so I mounted up the blank and started turning a live edge bowl from a piece of walnut found on John’s farm.

Has Anyone Made
Memorial WoodTurnings?

I wondered if anyone has done this before? If so, how were they received?

I turned a small bowl….about 8 inches, it is a natural edge bowl ….surprise, surprise ….the bark stayed on! I think it is some type of walnut based on the bark and wood color and grain …but not sure. I don’t think the type of wood matters to anyone I would give it to.

Need A Method To Sign My Bowls

I just really need a way to sign, label or brand my bowls. I was looking at some branding irons, I think this would be the easiest since I’ve been using almost all recesses to mount my bowls lately. I don’t think I could freehand any type of wood burning signature or logo. I found a cheap place for custom branding irons but my computer crashed and I lost my open webpages ….can’t find it again.

Life is short my friends. Make the most of it while you can. Maybe, just maybe you can use your woodturning skills to make a bowl, cup, vase, or candle holder ….some type of woodturning from a tree, log or piece of wood from someone who has passed on ….and share the gift with the departed loved one’s . It will mean a lot to the one who receives your memorial wood turned gift!