There is something I love about pudgy or plumpy bowls and cups. The bowls are a bit swollen in shape like a bird with a tighter diameter rim that makes the cups look large, but they’re actually much thinner than the standard flat walled cups you see often.

I’ve been exploring other handle forms and ideas, trying to steer a different aesthetic from my usual handles.
I like the idea of the little finger holes on those factory made “kuksas” but they’re not very practical or ergonomic. Designed with machine shortcuts and quantity in mind.

But I love hanging my cup in the kitchen, from a branch while camping, on my pack, or even my belt. I’ll be dab dabbling more with this theme, but I really love how this one feels with multiple hand grips. There’s something about holding something in your hand, that was designed by hand, for your hand.

Raised handles are always much more difficult to carve and plan out, but if you get them just right, they’re so comfortable to hold versus the flatter more common type handles.

This new series of cups all feature a deep undercut. In simpler terms, the bowl half way down is wider than the opening of the rim. What makes this a nicer experience than drinking from a the usual cups you see with flat walls, is it can hold more liquid, you have less dribble that stains the outside of the cup and leaves “coffee rings” on your table, and it’s less likely to spill when you walk around with a drink in your hand. They’re a lot trickier to carve because most of the carving is done completely by feel since my hands and tools block my view of what I’m hollowing.

These cups are also carved much thinner than those other cups, which I believe actually makes the cup feel lighter, and also allows the grains to remain flexible and are less likely to crack. Besides, straight walled cups are boring, and we have plenty of factory beverage apparatus in our lives. I say we take back the experience of drinking. San no - to go (cups) and stay a while. Wood cups seem to manifest moments.

Black Cherry and finished with 100% pure food grade linseed oil.

Holds just under 5oz

This series of dragon kuksas are riffing off of old serpent forms I’ve seen in many old cultures, but especially norse and Scandinavia. Seen on roof gables, door hinges, locks, and drinking vessels. A powerful form, and something I like to dive into every so often. What makes each piece unique is that I like to intentionally improvise and push my skills so they evolve as I make them.

The vertical fluted outer bull adds another texture not just to the touch, but it also picks up and moves light.

Carved of a beautifully figured black cherry, a wood I love for its two tone buttery sapwood and warm fiery heartwood. The cup just looks warm before you even pour coffee into it.

Finished with cold pressed 100% food grade  pure linseed oil

Hold about 7.5oz

This kuksa is a play on my fluted facets, but this time I chip carved the lines in, which catch light in an interesting way. It also gives a more tactile feel to the cup when you hold it.

I haven’t tested it yet but it’s probably a good non slip sip grip when you’re enjoying beverages with gloves on.

This new series of cups all feature a deep undercut. In simpler terms, the bowl half way down is wider than the opening of the rim. What makes this a nicer experience than drinking from a the usual cups you see with flat walls, is it can hold more liquid, you have less dribble that stains the outside of the cup and leaves “coffee rings” on your table, and it’s less likely to spill when you walk around with a drink in your hand. They’re a lot trickier to carve because most of the carving is done completely by feel since my hands and tools block my view of what I’m hollowing.

These cups are also carved much thinner than those other cups, which I believe actually makes the cup feel lighter, and also allows the grains to remain flexible and are less likely to crack. Besides, straight walled cups are boring, and we have plenty of factory beverage apparatus in our lives. I say we take back the experience of drinking. San no - to go (cups) and stay a while. Wood cups seem to manifest moments.

Holds about 7.5oz