Pieces of the Red Maple tree. When I saw the maple tree being cut down, I couldn’t believe it. This was a tree that I pass in my regular driving route, and I had admired the tree. There are not too many  maples in this section of Florida, which has many more water oaks and […]

Three of my personal favorites from my collection. (L-R) Lilac, cherry, birch with bark. (Click for larger image) From time to time I get interesting and/or encouraging correspondence through my website/blog. Recently, I have had a few comments and queries on my spoon carving. For example, I appreciated hearing from Mrs. B who wrote to […]

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This slideshow requires JavaScript. An annual visit to one of my special wood stores provides the same enjoyment of the range of choices for me that my niece gets from a trip to her favorite candy store. Spalted woods. Ambrosia maple. Walnut. Purple heart. Cherry. Wormy butternut. These were just some of the tempting woods I […]

Working with wood is an ever evolving and exploring process. I’ve found that one project-idea often leads to another project. And the new wood project for me? Carving small dolls. How did that happen? Small print dress featuring cats. Creating WrenSong flutes and WrenSong kanteles requires larger equipment like a router, bandsaw, woodturning lathe and sander. Smaller tools […]

When I walked into the reception at the Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery, I was taken with the color of the artwork. The gallery’s walls displayed bright, vibrant and colorful art. “Wood Winds” represents several years of my flute making. I was attending the reception because my wood art was part of the gallery exhibit […]

Doug Finkel (on left) and Bob Lyon traded their handcrafted bowls for my Native American-style flutes. Taking a class at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts with Bob Lyon and Doug Finkel was an intriguing way for me to grow my turning and carving skills. The week-long class focused on making kitchen items from wood, which […]

I am reworking my website and reducing the number of pages dedicated to specific topics.  This blog post was previously a page on the site dedicated to Native American style flute and ukulele music.  I will no longer be creating this particular mode of music but want to leave it available for the many who […]

Creating a flute from a branch is exciting and rewarding, as I see how the wood guides me and listen to what the flute’s voice will be. Here’s a video with the four Chestnut branch flutes that I just finished making. In the video, I play two of the flutes to let you hear their […]

Making WrenSong flutes was a dream achieved. Making musical instruments from a branch or from kiln-dried wood was a wonderful journey for more than 12 years. Currently I am taking a break from making and selling musical instruments and am engaged in painting in oils and watercolors.  Whether still lifes or plein air painting, I […]

The Harp Gathering, in Archbold, Ohio, is providing me with the opportunity to share my musical instruments and have the joy of hearing how well my WrenSong Native American-style flutes sound when played with the harp. The first night I improvised with two harp players, Suzie and Cathy. We played “Amazing Grace” and “Greensleeves.” This […]

What a treat.  I attended the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s performance at the Phillips Performing Arts Center in town.  This is a great group of talented performers. I’ve been following their activities for several years — not all 30 (which is how many years they have been together) because I only re-discovered the ukulele about […]

I was glad my wood doors could be part of the celebration at the 90th Southern Interscholastic Press Association convention. Executive Director Karen Flowers was celebrating her final convention before retiring. The door was open for me to be there in spirit! That’s a play on the word “door” !   I was commissioned by […]

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