Large Black Walnut Slice Bowl

Making things out of Black Walnut shells is an old folk art.  I was intrigued by this and started creating items with Black Walnut slices and so far I have made a 5 – 1/2 diameter by 2 1/2 inches tall and a larger centerpiece bowl.  The large bowl I just finished is 12 x 12 x 6 inches.  It has a base of “feet” that are half slices filled with resin that help to add weight to the bottom of the bowl.  It has 134 Walnut center slices, 9 feet half slices and some heel end pieces that make up the bottom.  Each bowl is a unique piece and no two are identical.  This will be a made to order item.  The current large bowl is sold.  I have plans to make a medium size Black Walnut Slice bowl at 10 x 10 x 5 inches.

This Fall of 2017 has been a bumper crop year for harvesting the black walnuts in my area.  I pick them up once they have fallen off the tree, get the green husks off, and then wash them to show the beautiful brown nut.  The sun dries them on racks for a day, before I store them in burlap sacs.  I have 5 Black Walnut Trees, so there are plenty of nuts to harvest.  It is amazing that the trees only produce nuts every 2 or 3 years just like the hickory trees.  I had to make sure I have enough nuts to last me for all my jewelry and home decor projects.  So far I have made, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, walnut people figures, bowls, trivets, coasters, soap dishes, fairy garden furniture, Christmas ornaments, candle holders, belts, hat bands, buttons, and I have more ideas coming.  If there is something you wish I could make for you, send me an e-mail and I’ll see if I can make it.