A little bit about me and my bowls

I have been a woodworking enthusiast from an early age. I started under the tutelage of my dad in his workshop when I was about 10. In 6th grade shop class, I built my mother a large pine trestle table for the family kitchen, made from wood milled from two giant white pines that fell on my grandfather's camp in 1966. That table is still in daily use by my family today!

Turning has always been of special interest to me, and now in my semi-retirement years, I am turning bowls. My customers tell me they think my bowls are exceptional, and they love the different styles and designs. All my bowls are made from salvaged native Maine species.

At first I gave my bowls away to family and friends. They spread the word, and it wasn't long before people were coming to my workshop to buy bowls or commission bowls from their own logs. I find the demand for my bowls very gratifying, and I hope these bowls will become some of your treasured family heirlooms! Thank you for visiting my store!

Currently Available - Click on image to see details and purchase bowls. Check back often as inventory changes frequently.

Cherry, Butternut, Bur Oak, and Ambosia Maple, and Birch Bowls

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Care of your Gary Merrill Hand Crafted Bowl

WITH PROPER CLEANING AND CARE, YOUR WOODEN BOWL WILL LAST A LIFETIME—AND BEYOND.
DO:
  • Oil your bowl after the first wash. 
  • Hand wash with warm soapy water after use.
  • Immediately after washing hand dry with a clean cloth.
  • To help maintain your bowls natural wood beauty and integrity, recondition it at least every 6 months or if the wood begins to look dull or feel rough to the touch. 
  • Even if you use your bowl infrequently, the air will naturally dry out the wood over time. Make sure to recondition it at the appropriate times to prevent cracking. 
  • Winter air may dry out wood products more quickly. I recommend reconditioning your bowl more frequently than you usually would during these months. 
  • Apply my special walnut oil to your bowl one or two tablespoons at a time, and work into the wood with a soft clean cloth. Make sure to get every and all the surfaces of the bowl. Add more oil slowly as you go until desired shine is reached.
  • Keep the newly oiled bowl from coming into contact with fabric for 24 hours after oiling, as the oil may transfer. 

DO NOT:

  • Put your wooden bowl in the dishwasher, microwave, or oven 
  • Leave your wooden bowl in standing water or filled with water
  • Let your bowl completely dry out, without being oiled for months at a time
  • Use vegetable or olive oils to recondition your bowl; they contain ingredients that will create a culture for bacteria to grow 
  • Use mineral oil or waxes on your bowl as they are not absorbed into the wood; unlike my refined walnut oil  
  • Leave fruits or vegetables to rot in the bottom of your bowl as this could cause discoloration or staining of the wood

  • Strawberries and beets will likely stain new cherry wood bowls. I recommend waiting for your cherry bowl to age for at least a year before allowing strawberries and beets to make contact.