Baxter Blue Woodworks

As the year winds down, I reflect back on some of my past favorite natural-edge bowls that I’ve turned. Here’s to a Healthy and Productive New Year, and thanks for supporting and sharing my creative efforts!

A hollow form I turned out of Pecan, leaving some of the bark remaining (for the first time)…like the effect.

Some of my favorite “River Boards” that I’ve made for clients over the years with and

First post in over a year—got turned off by the whole misuse of social media…BUT, I’m back in the shop every day, now, after a trying Year, and I’m in the mood to start sharing again! Pecan from Texas along with and for the finish. I have a few leftover pieces of Pecan ( )I will get some handsome bowls from. GLAD to BE BACK!

Latest deep resin pour with Texas mesquite branch cutoffs embedded. Not sure where I’m going with this project, but a keeper we per for my own collection.

Having fun experimenting with geometric 3D shapes and resin and color. Poured in 4 layers with color on the bottom and layering of clear on top.

My first post after an extended social media “holiday.” A large wall hanging I made for a friend’s living room wall, inspired by an idea I saw online some years ago. Makes the room!

As I review old photos of my turning work and look back over 2021, I realize I haven’t turned any platters in a long time! I look forward to to introducing a new lineup for the coming year…Have a Merry Xmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year! Russ, Amy and of course, Baxter.

As I complete my last Christmas orders for the year, it’s a good time to reflect back on that first picture with Baxter and one of my earlier bowls from 5 years ago. So much has changed—with my craft, my little business, my charitable efforts and of course, the world! I thank all of you (friends, neighbors, relatives, customers) who have supported me and Baxter Blue Woodworks to allow me to keep doing what I love. Other than my growing relationship with Meals On Wheels Montgomery County, TX, I’m not sure what 2022 will bring, but I’m excited to find out! Lots to learn, lots to try, lots of mistakes and beautiful successes ahead! Have a Healthy and Happy New Year!! Russ and Baxter

It’s good to go back to one’s humble beginnings and evaluate the path you’ve taken. I’d been Woodturning for only a year when I became enamored with natural edge pieces. This was one of my earlier Ash pieces that I turned super thin. This sits in the home of a friend who bought this for his girlfriend (now wife) as a Xmas present. Fond Memories!

Last commission project of the season-a chessboard made from Walnut, Ambrosia Maple, and figured Cherry for the boarder. The Ambrosia breaks up what would normally be to staid a piece. Look forward to passing along the board today to the recipient’s Mom!

Two new pieces recently finished and made with beautiful Central TX Mesquite that I’ve been drying for almost two years! Because I think the two belong together, I’ll throw in the bowl for free to whoever purchases the Charcuterie Board/Serving tray. Email me if interested, please: [email protected]. As we all indulge in holiday festivities, let’s please consider those who are less fortunate and donate generously to Meals on Wheels, local Food Banks, and Goodwill and Salvation Army. A donation in someone’s name would be a much better gift than “another sweater!” Thx, Russ.

Tomorrow, Saturday, between 11am -4pm, I’ll have a one-man pop-up Market and Display of Favorite Items from my personal collection at Twisted Willow Mercantile 33020 FM 2978 Suite 519 Montgomery, TX 77354. This is a WONDERFUL place to do much of your Xmas shopping and it’s only 10 minutes from the Woodlands or 20 from Conroe!
All profits from my sales tomorrow benefit Meals On Wheels, Montgomery County, so thx for coming out and helping a WONDERFUL cause!!

Please come out tomorrow To the Black Friday Sales Extravaganza 10-4 at Town Green Park in the Woodlands, next to Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and support my efforts to raise $ for Meals on Wheels. As we are all enjoying our Thanksgiving Feasts today, let’s NOT FORGET the food-challenged among us! I’ll be introducing a number of new pieces for the first time-what a great way to buy Holiday Gifts and help feed neighbors at the same time!

The perfect piece of PA Walnut from provided me a wonderful foundation for this simple design, large bowl. I love the combination of sap (light) and heartwood (dark) in this beautiful but functional bowl. See it at the Black Friday Extravaganza 11/26 in Town Green Park in the Woodlands, TX between 10-4. All of my profits from that day’s sales will benefit the Montgomery County Meals on Wheels, so thanks for coming out and supporting us!

A recently-turned piece of Mediterranean Olive and a Figured Maple bowl and Charcuterie board are just some of the items I’ll have for sale at the first Black Market Extravaganza Sale the day after Thanksgiving 10 am to 4 pm, at Town Green Park in the Woodlands, TX. Please come and enjoy the outside shopping from over 90 vendors and avoid the crowded malls!

Getting ready for the Texas Events LL Black Friday Market Event 11/26 Friday at Town Green Park in the Woodlands, TX from 10-4. I’m making much-requested LARGE fruit and salad Bowls in beautiful native woods and will bring these to the market. GREAT chance to do Holiday Shopping in a beautiful and uncrowded environment. Hope to see you! You can also find my work at Twisted Willow Mercantile in Montgomery Tx, just next to the Woodlands.

I’m one of those woodworkers who never throws away scraps! Sometimes I’m lucky and can turn chicken salad out of chicken @$&?!; These were leftover pieces from a Walnut and Maple segmented bowl vessel project that were anchored in resin. Unfortunately the photos don’t show how the front and back surfaces, while flush with the wood, seem to make the wood jump off into a 3D vortex. See this piece live at the Black Market Extravaganza Market event in the Woodlands, TX from 10-4 in Town Green Park. You can also see my work at Twisted Willow Mercantile in Montgomery TX.

These are just a few of the items I will bring to Black Friday Market (day after Thanksgiving) in the Woodlands, TX. Come by and see my latest creations and enjoy a VARIETY of different vendors between 10 am and 4 pm, at Town Green Park. Why shop in a crowded mall on Black Friday when you can enjoy open-air shopping in a beautiful environment! Still time to accept custom orders for Xmas. www.baxterbluewoodworks.com

Latest piece combines a MAGNIFICENT piece of Calif. Walnut with realistic west coast ocean colors. Will be available for sale after November 1 at in Montgomery TX. I LOVE this piece and hope it finds the right home!

Two 11” bowls from Pennsylvania Ash that feel wonderful to the touch! As the Ash borer continues to sweep across the U.S., wiping out our Ash population, I continue to turn as many Ash bowls as possible while the wood is still available. Thx for visiting! baxterbluewoodworks.com.

Every now and then, it happens: VOILA!! The (near) Perfect Bowl. The wood is right…your bowl gouge feels like it’s gliding without effort across the wood, giving a perfect cut…the sanding is easy and no scratches are seen…the finish highlights the wood’s figure and color. Of the thousands of bowls I have turned, I can probably count on my hands and feet the number of ones where I was “in the zone.” This amazing piece of rare birds eye Walnut offered the aforementioned perfect storm. Now part of my personal collection. See others as I exhibit at the Texas Events Black Friday Market in the Woodlands just after Thanksgiving. Thx! Russ

Set up and ready for action today at Growers Outlet in Willis TX for the 4th annual Fall Show. Come by and take a look!

Don’t you just love getting ready for “It’s Showtime!!” It’s been a couple of years since I last displayed my work in public, so I’m excited to participate in the 4th annual Fall Show at Growers Outlet in Willis, TX Saturday the 9th of October from 10 until 4. Hope to see you there!! Russ and Baxter Blue (the Boss).

Latest in my “River Runs Through It” Charcuterie Centerpiece Boards. This was one of the first “infinity edge” efforts I tried, and things worked well, I think. SEE THIS and others iN PERSON This Saturday from 10–4 at the Fourth Annual Fall Market at Growers Outlet in Willis TX.

A friend gave me this Oak burl piece—he didn’t know what to do with it. I sand-blasted the interior and painted it earth tones to give it an Hawaiian lagoon feel…then a painted dolphin toy and many layers of resin with a bit of “ocean water” colored metal dust completed the realism of the ocean feel. Can be seen in person at the 4th Annual Fall Show Saturday October 9th between 10–4 at Growers Outlet in Willis TX. I’ll have Charcuterie Boards, Cutting Boards and Decorative Bowls, too. HOPE TO SEE YOU! BaxterBlueWoodworks.com Wigout.org

Hollow Form made of segmented pieces of Bloodwood and Red Oak. One of those pieces that when people ask “what do you use it for??,” I usually answer “to sit back and enjoy its beauty…” after all, we all have pictures and paintings in our homes and their sole purpose is to enrich our soles and add beauty into our lives. I hope in some small way I can do the same with my woodworking. See this piece and others at the 4th Annual Fall Market at Growers Outlet in Willis TX on Saturday October 9th starting at 10 am. Hope to see you!! Russ BaxterBlueWoodworks.com #

A few recently-finished spalted White Oak bowls that will be available at the Sat. October 9th 4th annual Fall Market at Growers Outlet in Willis, TX. Please come out and support local Artisans, beginning at 10 a.m. I’ll also be showcasing my latest “River Runs Through It” charcuterie boards. Great chance to do some early Xmas shopping!! BaxterBlueWoodworking.com. #

I’ve been in a “resin mode,” lately, adding to my recent “River Runs Through It”series with this Sweetgum Charcuterie Board. Also, my first attempt at my equivalent of the “Infinity Pool” concept with this Walnut piece. My Wife quickly claimed the Sweetgum piece but the other board, along with my hand -turned bowls will be available at the 4th Annual Fall Market at Growers Outlet in Willis TX on Saturday October 9th, starting at 10 am. Great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping and help me support some wonderful charities! BaxterBlueWoodworks.com.

Latest effort from my “River Runs Through It” Charcuterie Board Series. This particular one is Texas Sweetgum with actual river pebbles embedded in the resin. Finished with Food-Safe treatment and ready for your next party, or to just sit on your kitchen countertop for friends to enjoy. BaxterBlueWoodworks.com .org