Exotic Wood Buttons

About My Work

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Buckeye Burl Bowl

A little about myself: I was introduced to woodworking as many young people were, in a high school wood shop. College led to a 30-plus-year career as a registered nurse, and I found myself in need of a creative outlet, so I returned to woodturning.

I made my first bowls many years ago (see examples on this page). Two years ago my friend George Wright, manager of the Heron's Nest Gallery on Vashon Island, asked me to make a few buttons for a wearable art show at the gallery. These were so popular I've continued making them, and now sell them at art fairs with my bowls and at wearable art shows (see my show schedule), and online.

The Creation Process

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Amboyna Burl Bowl

I begin by choosing wood for color, grain pattern, and figuring. I turn the buttons on a lathe. After turning, I use a drill press for the holes. I then hand finish each button with 1500 grit sandpaper for a superfine surface.

Each button is unique. I get 10 to 12 buttons from a single piece of wood, and as each is turned the grain pattern and figuring will be slightly different. I match the buttons into sets in numbers as ordered. You might consider ordering an extra button to match a set, as it will be difficult to do so later.

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Osage Orange Bowl

Link to view gallery and shop

Most of my buttons are 1 inch to 2 inches in diameter. Custom sizes are easily and happily done. Please be aware that 1/2-inch diameter is the smallest available size. Also, some woods do not lend themselves to smaller sizes. Their grain pattern or figuring will be lost. Black and White Ebony is an example — see the image on the Gallery page.

Please feel free to contact me by email with any questions. I look forward to working with you to find the right wood in the right size to add a unique dimension to any project.

— Will Dacus