A Few Words About Salad Bowls and Finishes
Most of the wooden bowls I make are intended to be display pieces, to be appreciated for the beauty of the wood. Those bowls (and other items) have a durable "film" type finish, usually a thin varnish, which provides not only lasting protection, but some degree of glossiness that brings out the grain and figure of the wood. Without such a finish, wood has a flat, dull, lifeless appearance that is not flattering to the wood. There is very little maintenance required for pieces with this type of finish; an occasional wipe with a soft cloth to remove dust, and maybe an occasional polishing with a quality paste wax. If the bowl is not labelled as a "salad bowl" on this website, it likely has this type of finish.
I'm often asked if bowls with this type of finish can be used as salad bowls. Modern finishes of this kind are food-safe once cured, so yes, these bowls can be used as salad bowls; however, this type of finish is not intended to be subjected to utilitarian use, and can be damaged by such use. So I don't recommend they be used for salads, unless the contents are dry, and care is taken to not scratch the finish, which cannot be easily renewed.
On the other hand, bowls labelled and described as "salad bowls" on this website have an all-natural finish consisting of mineral oil and beeswax, appropriate for salad bowl use. This kind of finish will not impart a gloss to the wood, but can be renewed regularly as needed, simply by cleaning and drying the bowl, then applying more mineral oil and/or beeswax. Mineral oil is commonly available at pharmacies and grocery stores.
Purchase Info
For U.S.A. customers: to purchase an item via PayPal, click the "Add to Cart" button at the bottom of its description; click any "View Cart" button to checkout and make your payment- you will be transferred to PayPal's secure site to process the payment, then returned to this site. Your credit card information will be privately and securely handled directly by PayPal; it will not be seen by anyone except PayPal. You do not need to have a pre-existing PayPal account to make a purchase.
Be sure to enter your shipping address, and any special shipping instructions, on the PayPal page.
Please note that simply placing an item in your shopping cart without completing the checkout in PayPal does not "reserve" the item for you; another person could purchase the item before you checkout. If PayPal reports that an item is out of stock, it is likely because that item has been purchased by someone else, and the website has not yet been updated; to verify that, please contact me.
Shipping information can be found on the Shipping page.
For non-U.S.A. customers: please contact me (do not use the "Add to Cart" buttons). I will calculate shipping costs and invoice you through PayPal. Please see "International Shipping" info on the Shipping page.
For inquiries, or to purchase by check, contact me (do not use the "Add to Cart" buttons).
Purchases will be packaged carefully, and shipped promptly, usually via US Postal Service. I will provide you with a tracking number upon shipment.
Gift Orders
If your purchase is to be shipped to someone as a gift, you can enter a gift message in Paypal; we will be happy to include your message with the order, printed on high quality paper, along with a brief note about the item and how/where it was made.
Returns
Your satisfaction is very important to me; if you are not happy with a purchase, you may return the item for a refund or exchange within 14 days, as long as it is in the same condition as you received it. Please contact me before returning merchandise. You should insure the return shipment to protect against loss, since I cannot be responsible for returned items that are lost or damaged during shipment to me. Shipping costs are not refundable; return shipping cost will be your responsibility. Custom orders may or may not be returnable for refund, depending on the nature of the item.
Privacy Statement
I respect your privacy, and will not share any information about you with anyone without your permission. If you make a purchase, and later provide feedback comments (which I invite), I may post your comments, but will not identify you by name without your permission.
Custom Orders
Inquiries about custom orders are welcomed. Custom orders will require at least a partial prepayment. Custom orders may or may not be returnable for refund, depending on the nature of the item.
Making a Bowl From Your Tree
If you're interested in having a custom bowl (or other turned object) made from your own tree, see this blog article for information.
Contact Info
Please see the Contact page
Bowlwood Distinctive Handcrafted Wooden Bowls and More
featuring fine Burls and Hardwoods