George Jarvis will tell you that he's happiest when he's standing in front of his lathe, turning chisel in hand, watching a bowl take shape. "My main focus is bowl and hollow vessel turning. I get great pleasure from making forms that are both beautiful and useful... objects that will become a part of people's daily living".

"I really like to work with local woods such as yellow birch, Carolina poplar, maple and elm, but I'm also fascinated with the properties of more exotic woods. In previous works I've used woods like cocobolo, walnut, amboyna, purpleheart and African blackwood. I use a variety of finishes including tung oil, padding lacquer and beeswax. All items intended for preparing or serving foods are treated with walnut oil only."

Jarvis has learned many of the subtleties of his craft through experimentation in his studio in Manuels, Conception Bay. He has also honed his skills by working with turners in Nova Scotia and through studies at the well-known Arrowmont School in Tennessee. He is a member of the Avalon Woodturners Guild and the American Woodturners Association.

Do yourself a good turn! Visit the Craft Council Shop at Devon House and select a Jarvis woodturning that will add pleasure to your life for years and years to come.

Image shown: cherry burl turned bowl, 21 cm (8") in diameter