It is read by over 600 readers worldwide. My email list is 100% private: I NEVER sell, rent, or disclose it (or any of the names in it) in any fashion.
"Bowl News" readers enjoy reports on my recent and upcoming shows, a "first look" at my latest work, promotion of their favorite charities and/or art related web sites, discounts on my work, reduced or free shipping, donations of my work to non-political charitable fund raising events, and "Medical News From The Shop" (the most popular feature in the news letter). If you would like to be added to my list, please send an email to me.
This page will be updated as new editions of "Bowl News" are sent.
Below is a past edition--the photos have been removed by somone or something that resides in my computer or in cyberspace.
Hi All and welcome new readers,
The free bowl.
You can change the rules. I had offered the bowl to the first person who emailed correct answers to me. When you send your answers you can also vote: original rules (first email with correct emails wins); or, you can vote that all emails with correct answers received by me after the date and time below (and for twenty four hours thereafter) will be "put in a hat" and I will randomly draw the winner. Be sure to vote when you submit your answers. So, just to be fair to those who may not have saved the last issue of "Bowl News", and to be fair to new readers here are the rules, unless changed by majority vote):
I will announce a date and time for sending your answers.
Be Careful. Answers received earlier than the specified date and time will be disqualified. (I do this for two reasons: Not all of my readers read their email every day (indeed, some may read their email as seldom as once a week or less); Many of my readers are in Europe and Asia--I do not want them to "lose" merely because of the differences in time and date.) The earliest (but sent at or after the specified time) response with the correct answer(s), or with the
most correct answers will be the winner.
I am the final judge of the outcome.
If the winner is in the USA I will package and ship this bowl to her or him at no charge. (UPS Ground)
If the winner is not in the USA, I will pay the first US$35.00 for packaging and shipping. (Cheapest way at my option) If the non-USA winner does not want to pay the balance for shipping, if any, then the bowl will go to the person who came in second, and so on.
So, here it is: The date and time for sending your answers is as close to, but not before, 5:00 am PST Wednesday July 25, 2007. (Steve double check this please.)
And just to get you in the right frame of mind, here is the prize again:
New shop and new dust collection system
Below are two pictures of my shop. Those of you who have seen the "before" of my shop are probably thinking "this can't be the same place". (My previous idea of a well appointed shop was one with as many two, three, and four drawer metal filing cabinets (from a used office equipment store) as I could fit into the given space. Quite a difference, no? There is a picture of me and Charlie on the first page at
www.JacksBowls.com. True or False? (Those of you who have not seen the "before shop" are invited to see the "after" anytime.) While working with wood and power tools I have lost only one finger. True or False? The new dust collector is that yellow thing. And if you think a jet engine is loud, you ought to hear this thing. Never stand in the line of fire on this guy else its "adios."
Manzanita
I live in "manzanita country". The next picture is of a small manzanita wood bowl. Beautiful colors aren't they? Why don't I use more of this wood? Well if I have tried to harvest one piece, I have tried to harvest 500 pieces. Ninety nine out of one hundred pieces split, crack and warp so badly that they are practically useless. This despite all of the care I give the wood: immediately after cutting the wood, split it, remove the pith (dead center), wax the ends and store in a cool dry place. (This piece of wood was cut in June of 2003.)
3 7/8" d. x 2 1/4" tall. Available at Gold Country Artists Gallery.
Resident Biologists.
In an earlier "Bowl News" I included some pictures of bees. Resident biologist number one, Stan W., had this to say:
"The critter is not a honey bee, but instead a bumble bee. Fascinating creatures. They nest in the ground and do defend the nest. By the way, if you see one that is close to the same size but a metallic black or blue, then it is a carpenter bee. If you want to slow her down, try catching one and cooling her down in the fridge. Beware, unlike a honey bee they can sting more than once! Stan" What is the brand name on my lathe?
I also recently pictured a woodpecker perched on my hummingbird feeder. I said it was a redheaded woodpecker. Resident biologist number two, my cousin John, corrected me. A "downy" probably.
Thanks Stan and John.
Thanks (again) Carol
Carol is my biggest supporter. Hardly a wedding or other gift giving occasion goes by without Carol buying one of my pieces. Too many to count, really. Her latest gift?
My favorite tee shirt
At the AAW show in Portland last month, my favorite tee shirt was emblazoned:
I just make things
Fits me to a tee. (Groan)
And speaking of Oregon, my mother in law had a great response to my complaining about the weather there: "Don't like the weather in Oregon? Wait five minutes." True, true.
New Neighbors
While taking pictures at a heron rookery near my home I ran into some new neighbors. Gracious people, and new guardians of the rookery, which is not an easy task. Think my dust collector is loud, you ought to hear a hungry young heron or a nest full of them. What brand table saw do I have? Here is a picture I took with a 400mm f4.0 lens from quite a distance: (Effectively, due to the fact that the sensor on my digital camera is much smaller than 35mm film, a 600mm lens. This picture has been cropped--I can only wish that I got as close as it appears I did.)
This bird is at the top of the tallest pine tree for miles around.
OLD neighbor
This is the third summer this fellow is spending behind my home. He is just plain magnificent.
Sorry, I don't know what he is trying to say. ("Buzz off!" or "I want to be alone." Perhaps.)
Wood duck
These are normally quite shy. Getting close enough for a good picture is nearly impossible, except at Lithia Park in Ashland, OR where I found this handsome chap:
What other name (beginning with an "h") are wood ducks known by?
More thanks
My dear old friend Tom, for finally giving me a piece of his ceramic work. On a shelf proudly and prominently displayed.
Debbie M. for buying an olive wood bowl of mine from the Gold Country Artists Gallery. Interesting side note. Debbie told the member at the desk at the gallery that she got emails from me all the time (Bowl News), but had never met me. Debbie, in addition to sending "Bowl News" to you, and making bowls, I am that friendly chatty lawyer (now retired) who visited your store some time ago. Remember? Thanks again.
Cuz Anita and John for a wonderful time visiting with Vince and Lisa, Al and Gwen.
You can find my work at Hang It Up Gallery in El Dorado Hills. True or False?
Dave--for the use of your trailer and Jeep, company to and from the dump and help. The new shop would not have been possible without Dave's help. Two large trips and still counting.)
Lu--belatedly because I did not want your husband to read of his spectacular birthday cigar humidor before the big day. (There is little in life more satisfying and flattering than a premier artist purchasing something you made.) Thanks Lu.
Michele S. (and Laura H.) for allowing me to participate in ArtFest this early October. This is a fund raising event for Women Lawyers of Sacramento. I have been a supporter, but never actually shown my work. I am looking forward to it. I will have lots to show, and not just bowls. Stay tuned.
Good luck
Bob & Amy at Mad Dog Mesa. Three thousand olive trees and olive oil like none you have ever tasted. This shot is of Bob at his booth at Placerville's Farmer's Market (Saturdays 8 'til noon). Bob is also at Town Center (El Dorado Hills) Sundays 9 'til 1--sold out last Sunday. (Bob and Amy are also responsible for some of my work being in France. Thanks and good luck.)
Jessica, who has "retired" from Campenile to concentrate on finishing her degree. We will miss you, the food won't taste as good, break a leg.
Name the city where Caesar Salad originated.
New piece in progress
This could well be my best piece of this year or ever. As usual, most of the credit must go to Mother Nature, but isn't this beautiful? Some of my work may be found at Gallery El Dorado. True or False? (Dave, I would like you to consider showing this piece at your gallery. I will bring it by as soon as it is done.)
Myrtle. Spalt, flame, and about every other figure myrtle can show. Turned "thick" to show more of the figure in the face grain (top edge).
Well, that's it. I hope this was not too much work and that you had fun. Good luck with the contest. I will give the answers and winners name shortly.
Aloha.
Jack
