Zubin Kenkare

This handcrafted box is a testament to the beauty of locally sourced wood and precision craftsmanship. The walnut, maple, and cherry were milled just a few miles from where I shaped, sanded, and assembled the box, ensuring that each grain tells a story of place and process.

This handcrafted keepsake box brings together striking contrasts in both material and technique. The body is from locally milled curly maple, its pale tones providing a crisp backdrop for the deep, warm hues of the leopardwood lid. 

The details matter. Corner splines in rich walnut reinforce the structure while adding a refined geometric touch and the inlay banding adds an intricate accent. 

This striking bowl is a study in contrast, where the warmth of locally-milled cherry meets the depth of an ebonized interior. The exterior showcases one of my favorite grain-matches to date -- two carefully selected boards joining in a chevron pattern.

This whippy little catch-all bowl in ash only spent a brief time on the lathe but every moment was a joy. With ash trees becoming increasingly scarce due to the devastation caused by the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, I make a point to salvage and repurpose this beautiful wood whenever I come across a culled tree. This piece is a small tribute to a species that deserves to be appreciated before it becomes even harder to find.

This jewelry box highlights the beauty of natural contrasts. The deep swirling grain of locally milled black walnut with the almost reflective chatoyance of curly maple results in a refined and bold aesthetic that makes this piece both striking and timeless.

The walnut body provides a rich, organic feel, with flowing grain patterns that are perfectly grain-matched all the way around the box. The curly maple lid is a treasure in itself and adds a touch of brilliance as it catches light from different angles. Pictures cannot do it justice. 

A humble platter turned from a rescued piece of spalted maple. The delicate veining forms as a result of the wood’s natural aging process, making each piece entirely unique. The gently curved form enhances the natural flow of the grain, while the softened edges and smooth hand-rubbed finish invite touch. Tiny natural voids and traces of the wood’s history remain, adding authenticity and depth to the piece. A personal favorite.

Turned while soaking wet, this English Walnut bowl was left to dry and shift organically, resulting in a gentle oval form that adds to its one-of-a-kind character. Despite its transformation, it still sits flat, making it both functional and uniquely sculptural.

This handcrafted keepsake box is a celebration of rich contrasts and fine craftsmanship. Deep, flowing walnut anchors the piece, complemented by warm tones of mahogany, and striking purple heart accents. These vibrant inlays and trim create a bold geometric frame, enhancing the box's clean lines and refined structure. 

Some pieces don’t need embellishment to stand out—this cherry bowl is one of them. With its rich, honeyed tones and a silky-smooth finish, it showcases everything that makes cherry wood so beloved. The subtle grain and dark flecks add just the right amount of character, making each curve of the bowl feel alive with natural beauty.

The form is classic: wide, gently sloping sides and a shallow profile that make it both elegant and practical. Over time, the cherry will develop a deeper, reddish hue, ensuring that this piece only gets better with age.

The seamless transition between these two hardwoods showcases both their distinct beauty and how they complement each other. The maple rim catches light beautifully, emphasizing its fine grain, while the walnut base anchors the piece with its rich, flowing patterns.

The design is both modern and timeless, with a clean, rounded form that makes it perfect as a centerpiece, serving bowl, or decorative statement. Carefully turned, sanded, and finished with a food-safe oil, this piece is made to be both admired and used.

This humble cherry bowl began as a discarded piece of firewood. What was once destined for the flames now shines with rich, warm tones and a silky-smooth finish. The subtle grain patterns, small natural imperfections, and soft curves highlight the organic beauty of the wood, making this piece both simple and striking.

Cherry darkens with time, and this bowl will develop an even deeper patina as it ages, further enhancing its character.

This hand-turned bowl showcases the rich, reddish-brown tones and fine-grained texture of bubinga, an exotic African hardwood prized for its striking color and density. The polished surface glows with a deep, almost glass-like luster, emphasizing the intricate grain movement and natural chatoyance that shifts under changing light.

Bubinga’s durability ensures this piece will last for generations, making it both a functional and heirloom-quality work of art.

Just a cool little maple bowl. Turned this one out of a tree that had fallen across a local hiking trail. The outside of the bowl is ebonized and turned out better than I could have imagined -- Jet Black!.

Of course, I had to bury in here the old canoe that I had made. It's a 17' cedar strip that I took from the mill to finished product back in 2018. I've got to get a good picture of the finished product but as soon as I do, I'll throw it up here!

As time becomes my most limited resource these days, I've found myself drawn to smaller projects like this tea box. In pieces like these, the pursuit of perfection carries more import. Here, every surface can be seen and touched, every detail exposed, every flaw visible. These small pieces are the space in which craftsmanship lives; it's rarely noticed but it matters to me.

I felt like I just HAD to show off the grain on this table. This locally milled cherry sat in a friend's barn for 40 years before being transformed into this table!