Northern California Buckeye Burl with Calcite

While beautiful, the California Buckeye is toxic- its bark, leaves, stems, fruits, and seeds all contain a neurotoxin that depressed the central nervous system when ingested. Despite being a hardwood, the timber of the California Buckeye is softer than most softwoods- this isn't what makes it difficult to mill, though. Foreign objects like rocks, sand, dirt, bullets, and even rattlesnakes will fill the voids in the burls. In the end, these burls are what make the wood of the California Buckeye so appealing.  

Steven Potts began turning wood about 14 years ago after being inspired by a local artist in the North Georgia Mountains. Each of Steven’s pieces takes about 3 months to complete. As a child, he searched for and collect rocks- now, he marries minerals and wood together to create beautiful works of art. Steven uses exotic and unusual domestic woods to make his unique artwork, incorporating classical shapes, sculptural designs, tints, inlays, and the natural forms found in the wood. The finish used on his pieces will not crack, but move as the wood moves, insuring the sculpture will last a lifetime.