This is the gallery of Ron Headon (the original webmaster of this site). Just to show that after all the exacting fingerwork on the keyboard, in the creation of the site, there was still enough time left for Ron to create one or two things in the workshop.
Fruit Bowls
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Let's start with a nice, simple bowl with a medium-sized rim (left). It's made of Beech and is meant for use rather than for ornamental purposes.
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Next up shows you what happens when you let beech hang around in the garden and rot for a while! This one is made from Spalted Beech. Spalting is a natural process involving a fungal infection which produces the lovely inky-black lines which mark the different coloured areas of the bowl. Don't be put off by the term "fungal infection". It sounds rather nasty and unwholesome but Ron's never yet had a bowl which has sprouted mushrooms!
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This one's a bit more exotic. It's made from Padauk. When first turned the bowl is a bright russet/orange colour but, like many timbers, it settles down to a brown colour after a number of months.
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And now we have . . . Teak.
The side view shot provides a better idea of the overall shape of the bowl.
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Pot Pourri Bowls
Pot pourri bowls are quite fun to make - the metal inserts are pewter and bought from a craft supplier. The opening in the top of the bowl is then made to fit the insert.
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These two (left) are made from purpleheart. Shortly after they're turned the wood takes on a beautiul purple colour which gradually fades to brown after a few months. The time this takes depends on how much the bowl is left in the sun.
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Now the timber on this one is a bit special. It's made from Zebrano (sometimes called Zebrawood). Terrific figure on this piece.
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This bowl is made from Sycamore - one of Ron's favourite woods for turning. Sycamore was traditionally used in England for utilitarian/ food related items. It turns well, takes a good finish and is also a good wood to use if you want to add a coloured finish or decorate using a pyrography iron. Unfortunately it doesn't always have the visual appeal of some of the more highly figured timbers.
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Lidded Boxes
Ron always enjoys making these - it's about the intricacy, the size and also the challenge of trying to make the lid fit properly. The pictures shown them with lids on and lids off just to prove there's no cheating!
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And here's a close-up of the lighter coloured one which is made from Pau Amarello.
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A Christmas Ornament
Here's a Christmas tree ornament Ron made for Christmas 2007. It's made from beech with a pyrographed motif painted with watercolours.
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Lace Bobbins
This all started when a friend who is a member of a local lacemaking group asked if Ron would be prepared to make the group a few bobbins...
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These look a bit shorter than they actually are - the picture seems to have foreshortened them. They're made from all different timbers. The two-tone one fourth from the left is made from maple and purpleheart laminated together.
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This picture gives you a better idea of the proportions - pity it's a little blurred. Sorry about that. Ron must have had some dirt in his eye when he took the photo. They all have a spiral groove running up their body into which there is inlaid brass-coloured wire. Tiny holes were also drilled into the bodies at regular intervals which were filled with paint.
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These are known among the lacemaking fraternity as "Prickers". Laminating has been employed again (this time third from the left). There's a piece of purpleheart sandwiched between two slices of maple.
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Some more "Prickers". Those lacemakers sure seem to do a lot of pricking.
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