He starts by choosing a length of acrylic from his stash:
(good to see boys have stashes too..)He mounts it on his lathe:
then turns it into a cylindrical shape.
He starts shaping the bowl, outside...
and inside...
Then it's time to shape the base of the bowl:
(back to the inside)
before checking for depth:
A final polish of the outside,
and he releases the almost finished bowl from the original block.
(Well almost!)
Before the bowl is completely released it has to be polished. For this Robert uses automotive products. He told me what they are but I can only remember that at one stage he uses Turtle Wax.... (sorry!). And cotton swabs.
Only once the bowl is polished does Robert finally release it from the block.
He then uses one of his many Dremels to buff the bottom of the bowl flat. 
And it's done.
Now, if you think this is the most wonderful thing you've ever seen:
and would like to own it...
this may be your lucky day, as Robert has offered to give this bowl away!
If you'd like to add this one-of-a-kind miniature bowl (valued at AU$30.00) to your collection, leave a comment before Friday 23rd July and you'll be in the running to own it. As usual, I'll post anywhere in the world... GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED
And if you don't win? Well Robert's busy making other treasures for the exhibition...
He then uses one of his many Dremels to buff the bottom of the bowl flat. 
And it's done.
Now, if you think this is the most wonderful thing you've ever seen:and would like to own it...this may be your lucky day, as Robert has offered to give this bowl away!If you'd like to add this one-of-a-kind miniature bowl (valued at AU$30.00) to your collection, leave a comment before Friday 23rd July and you'll be in the running to own it. As usual, I'll post anywhere in the world... GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED
And if you don't win? Well Robert's busy making other treasures for the exhibition...
27 comments :
Hi There
Its the first time I get to understand how these tiny wonders are done and would love to own some!
Thanks for the opportunity
Neomi
Beautiful! It puts some of my miniature attempts to shame.
So good that you have your fabulous camera to take such wonderful pictures of the process, and the exquisite bowls and vases that have come from it.
How wonderful to see how these are made! Somehow I hadn't imagined a square block to start with - and you can't really see what colours are in it, can you? I'd love to have one of these - this one, or another!
Just wonderfull!
Seems to be so simple when you look at pictures, and also so fragile.
This man has gold in his hand. Talented Robert Boot.
C'est magnifique!
Anne (frenchplaymo) from France
P.S: and I love your blog too!
Adorably gorgeous! What a talented fellow!
I do think it's one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen and would love to have one!! The colours are beautiful!
It's so fantastic that he can make the bowl so thin it's translucent, and also fantastic that you made it possible for us to follow the impressive process of making it! Thank you so much to you both for sharing!
Wow! Great to see pictures of this process :)
The bowl is just amazing... I'd love to join your contest!
I am also going to have to look into getting a lathe. Thanks for all the WIP pictures!
I've seen Robert's work in person and think it's lovely! I'd love to put my name in the hat for the contest. Wish me luck!
Jonesy, Victoria, BC
Thanks for letting us have a glimpse at an artisan at work. Robert's eye for detail and skill is absolutely amazing. I have the perfect spot in my mini house for that beautiful bowl!
Fabulous piece and wonderful photographs! It was great to see Robert, who, with his adorable wife Charlene, I'd finally met in person in Chicago! I enjoyed seeing the process immensely!
Fascinating, and excellent photos too. Love how the bowl is so thin that the light shows through. Fingers crossed for winning a piece of Robert's work!
Wendy S., USA
It's hard to believe such a beautiful little bowl could be turned with this those big hands, but I saw it with my own little eyes.
Gosh, I'd love Robert's tool as well as the bowl. It is a lovely bowl indeed. I had the pleasure of meeting both Robert and his lovely wife, Charlene, recently.
Great bowl, Robert. It was so good to meet you this year.
I met Robert and Charlene in Chicago and had no idea he made such marvelous bowls. Your photos and explanation of the process were very clear.
Carolyn in Texas
I've always wondered how they are made & wow it was fascinating to watch this piece come to life! Those are the hands of an artist, love your work Robert!
What a lovely bowl and what great photographs. I just took a beginner course in turning this year. He makes it look so easy!! Susan from NY
I watched a Canadian turner, Rob Tukham at work during a show a few years back. I've always been so impressed by how the maker is able to get such translucently thin sides without going through the bowl. This is a lovely piece by an artisan I wasn't familiar with. Thank you for the detailed pictures, Esther, GSOLFOT
Green Sock on Left Foot? Now there's a phrase I haven't heard for years!
awesome! i love to see progress shots and insight into the workshop. thanks for sharing!
Don't give it away! Mia thinks it would be perfect in Wendy's new "art gallery" and I agree. Lindy (Honiara).
That process and the elegant beauty of the result touched me, and the tiny bowl strikes a chord with me and makes me remember things I loved as a child. So painstaking, done with care and delicacy and eyes and heart. I love it.
I have an Australian neighbour/friend who would love the bowl for her miniature house. Robert does amazing work and your blog is very entertaining (I knit)
Wow! Thanks for posting this. We have a lathe but i don't use it. I think I will try turning a mini acrylic bowl like this.
Argh! I always pick the worst weeks to get busy and behind on blogs. Love all of the cool things you've been posting. So much to catch up on!
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