I haven't posted anything in a while, because I am working on some Christmas gifts. I don't usually post "in progress" images, but this is taking so long I needed to feel like there actually is some progress. These are the first staved piece that Tamara and I are making, and we are learning as we go (including a new and specialaized vocabulary). If all goes as planned,these will be 8 staved vases. As usual, we have bitten off more than we can chew. In Malcolm's book he suggests when making staved pieces, to make more than one, because of the time consuming setup to cut the staves. I think we took that advice to the extreme. These are a true collaborative body of work, in that we have both been involved in every step. We are really looking forward to the finished pieces on these. We may have trouble giving them away. They have become like children to us. They have certainly been that much work. The forum seems a little lite on finished work lately. Does that mean that everyone else is knee deep in gift making also? If so, show us your "in progress" images. This pic shows my new segmented press invention. The "Ammo-Can-Full-of-Rocks" press (patent pending) in stores soon.