The Process

Segmented Turned Bowls 

Madera bowls are constructed of various exotic and domestic woods selected to show off their remarkable colors and grains.  After designing the approximate shape, size and pattern of the bowl desired, strips of each chosen wood are cut into segments and the segments are glued into rings.  The rings are then sanded and glued into a stack on a solid base piece to form the rough bowl.  The rough bowl is placed on the wood lathe and “turned” by the use of cutting tools such as gouges and scrapers to the desired shape.  After shaping, the bowl is sanded.  The Madera logo is burned onto the bottom of the bowl and five coats of finish are then applied by hand.  (Additional coats of finish are applied inside the reservoirs of the Ikebana Flower Holders to insure that they do not leak.)