Jim Tarelli

Turned Wood Bowls

Jim has been turning beautiful and exquisitely crafted wooden bowls for more than 25 years. The bowls are made one at a time using only native North American hardwoods. Each bowl begins its life as a log.  It is then cut, turned, dried, and re-turned, sanded, and a finish is applied several times using food safe tung oil. The final step is to sign the bottom of his work with his name and the wood species.

Jim is extremely particular about choosing the wood he uses for his bowls. He handpicks each piece of wood himself, and uses many wood types including cherry, maple, walnut and ash. The wood’s natural beauty is very important in making the final piece. His designs focus on the gentle curve of the bowl’s body and the way it flows in one smooth motion from the base to the rim. Many of his wooden bowls are delicately detailed by adding his own touch to the rim. A beautiful aspect of each bowl is the way it feels - soft, textured, lightweight and balanced.