THIS IS FROM THE CROTCH OF A TREE; WHERE TWO BRANCHES MEET; THIS IS WHAT GIVES THE CRAZY GRAIN IN THE BOWL. 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.