Stingray Bowl

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 I have seen manta ray bowls but thought it would be fun to make something different so I pulled some pictures of the sting rays we saw at Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman. The last picture is the model for my bowl!
 
 It is walnut with an insert of red cedar that served as the center of the bowl and the 3 legged base. I got my share of practicing carving on this project. The 5th photo is how I turned it to start and then the cutting off of the top and bottom rings was hairy. I broke the upper fin 3 times from cutting and power carving but managed to save it and the break is pretty well hidden. Thank God for epoxy!!!
 
 It finished up at 8" diameter and 4 1/2" high. The lid has a brass orientation pin and bushing to keep the lid positioned correctly. The eyes were supposed to be ebony and ivory and I have some that I bough in Ohio at the Warther museum. I put it away in a safe place and I still cannot find it!!!!! So I had to improvise and these eyes are black and white Corian.
 
 It is finished with satin lacquer.
 
 What do you think I should call him? He needs a name!! I was thinking of Steve to remember Steve Irwin!!
Cheers, Jim

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

19 Comments

Nice, Jim! Based on the first picture, I thought you’d made a cap with ear flaps turned up.

May you have the day you deserve!

thats awesome jim ! very unique.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Looks good!   I too thought of a hat at first glance.    

Ron

Nice work and pretty creative!
As for names here's some:

1. Azure: A name meaning "bright blue," reflecting the vibrant color of the ocean.

2. Coraline: Derived from "coral," symbolizing the stingray's ocean habitat.

3. Manta: A name inspired by the manta ray, a close relative of the stingray.

4. Suri: This name means "river" in Quechua, an indigenous South American language, acknowledging the connection between rivers and the ocean where stingrays are found.

5. Zephyr: A name meaning "gentle breeze," representing the smooth and graceful movements of a stingray in the water.

6. Nami: Derived from the Japanese word for "wave," symbolizing the stingray's natural environment.

7. Elestria: A combination of "electric" and "aesthetics," representing the stingray's electric-sensing ability and its stunning appearance.

8. Riviera: Meaning "coastline" in French, reflecting the coastal areas where stingrays are commonly found.

9. Pacifica: Derived from the word "pacific," meaning peaceful, reflecting the serene nature of these creatures.

10. Lumina: A name meaning "illumination" or "inner light," symbolizing the bioluminescent organisms often associated with stingrays.

😃
Jim,

How about Ray?

daveg, SW Washington & AZ

Some real nice turning, great work.
Freaky! But well done.

Steven- Random Orbital Nailer

Mr. Rick

Acmsznerpl? 🤠

Fine work Jim! Pic #5 looks like a pulley sheave, don't see it in the finished bowl?
Pretty neat idea and very well executed... especially like the smooth contours you achieved.
I see the hat others mentioned...kind of an Elmer Fudd flap hat.
Very cool!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Thank you all for the nice comments! I don't do much carving so this was challenge!! It does look like an Elmer Fudd hat...with eyes!! They have those eyes far apart and a nodule on the back of their heads. I left off the tail with the singer!!
Cheers, Jim !!

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

A very interesting build and well done as always.
Very interesting Jim. I bet you had to be extra careful with that spinning on the lathe with all those sections sticking out. I bet you'll find the ebony and ivory in the next week or so. At least that's how my world works.🙄

.................. John D....................

Thanks Steve and John.

Hi John, I have still never found the ebony  but I did find the round imitation ivory. I could use African blackwood with the ivory to make eyes in the future. I found a buy on it and brought home  a good supply.
 I needed an up and down wavy piece and the only way to do it was to turn 2 rings/blades- one turned up and one turned down and then remove all the unwanted wood!

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

then remove all the unwanted wood!
Reminds me of being a kid hired to dig fence post holes. Was told that the holes are already there, just need the dirt cleaned out.
Extraordinary....very well crafted!! Beautiful

...woodicted

Thanks Bruce and Ivan!!!

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day