From Burl to “The Egg”: A Woodturning Project Takes Shape

Seatonn recently turned this incredible piece on the lathe — a project that has affectionately become known around the shop as “the egg.”

Starting with a wood burl full of wild grain, texture, and natural character, Seatonn carefully shaped the exterior before hollowing out the inside using a hollowing jig. Hollowing a vessel like this requires more than simply reaching deeper into the wood. A hollowing system provides the support and control needed to make deep, accurate cuts while keeping the process safer and more manageable, especially on larger or more complex forms.

Projects like this are a great example of what makes woodturning so interesting. You can begin with a rough, irregular piece of wood without knowing exactly what is hiding inside, then slowly reveal the grain, movement, and character as the form develops.

It’s always fun to see Seatonn continue pushing his skills, experimenting with new techniques, and turning an unusual piece of wood into something completely unique.

And no matter how many times we see it happen, watching a maker uncover the hidden beauty inside a piece of wood never gets old.