These pieces are roughed out of black walnut logs with whatever tools are required. At this stage each piece is dated and allowed to dry before refining and finishing. The drying time varies depending on the amount of wood remaining on each piece and the risk of cracking. For spoons, a month will do, at least three months for bowls, and for crocks, six months or more.

I rough pieces out when the wood is green, freshly cut and with a high moisture content, and then finish them when they're dry or seasoned, the drier the better. Wood is softer when it's green, working more easily, and then sands and takes a finish much better when it's dry. Also, removing most of the wood and then letting the piece dry greatly reduces the drying time and the chance of cracking or warping. If it's still going to crack, which happens occasionally, better to have it happen at his stage, which represents a small percentage of the total time that the piece will require.

I like to have a large selection roughed out in advance and at times I've had fifty crocks, fifty bowls and over a hundred utensils on the drying shelves at once. It's not unusual to have pieces on the shelves that date back a year or two.