THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A BOWL; HOWEVER, LIKE A FEW OF MY PROJECTS, THEY BECOME PUZZLES. I WAS ABLE TO SAVE THIS ONE AND CREATE A SCULPTURE--THE WOODS WERE JUST TOO BEAUTIFUL TO THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE. I USE EXOTIC WOODS AND CANADIAN WOODS TO GET THE COLOURS AND TEXTURES I AM LOOKING FOR--I USE NO STAINS AT ALL, ONLY HAND RUBBED OIL FINISHED WITH NUMEROUS COATS OF WAX, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE WOOD.