The gift of true love: a Spencer Peterman bowl

If you really, really like someone, buy them a Spencer Peterman bowl. A dear friend just gave me one, and I think it's one of the best presents I've ever received. The designer scours forests for fallen trees, especially ones that are covered with moss and dirt and just beginning to decompose. Then he takes them back to his studio to handcarve and polish into smooth bowls in a myriad of sizes (mine is 15 inches—perfect for serving a big salad at a dinner party). It's so lovely: There's something poetic about transforming nature's waste into a gorgeous keepsake. Each piece is one of a kind and kiln-dried to suck out the moisture in the wood, so if you take care of it properly (which really just means using common sense, rubbing it down with mineral oil every so often, and not throwing it in the dishwasher), it could last forever. All the better to remind the person you've given it to of what a terrific friend you are.

Discuss your favorite obsessions, styling advice, hard-to-find items and more on the Lucky Forums.

Related Links from Lucky:

From the Community…

Comments 1-3 of 3

Posted by woodsman Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:11pm PDT

this hardly seems recycled - doesn't it have to be made into something first? the whole cycle-of-life seemingly had dibs on that "waste" - the bowls look great but really its not saving the planet.

Report Abuse

Posted by stillknits Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:55am PDT

I agree. It's not "nature's waste" -- there's no such thing. Decomposing trees make the earth more fertile for the trees that are still living.

Report Abuse

Posted by lompocpat Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:24am PDT

This bowl is priced at $190.00.....rather steep for a salad bowl. It's wonderful that he hand-works each one, but I've seen bowls like this at just about every arts & crafts fair for the last 20 years and better prices too.

Report Abuse

Comments 1-3 of 3

At Home