Mike Ilkiw – Bowls For Breasts

Category: Wood
Contact: bowlsforbreasts.com

I have been turning potential firewood into useful and artistic pieces since 2001. The wood I use is often looked as urban waste. The trees are no longer standing because of storm damage, disease, construction, or just old age. I find great satisfaction when I finish a piece and can stand back and say “that’s great”. A lot of time is involved to create each piece, from the initial shaping on a lathe, to slowly letting the wood dry (about 3 or 4 months), then to reshape on the lathe, sanding, and applying the finish coats that will enhance and preserve the wood.

I make a lot of bowls, up to now at least 600 have been started, and almost 300 have been completed. Other forms I have made include plates, goblets, platters, vases, ornaments and bottle stoppers. Oh yes, hundreds of spinning tops. These are part of the display I and other members of the Woodturners of Southwest Missouri put on each year at the Ozark Empire Fair. In the past 3 years we have been able to trade our tops for donations to the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks to the amount of just over $3000.

A generous portion of each item I make and sell also goes back to the BCFO.

My wife of 24 1/2 years was a victim of breast cancer. I still make very pleasing and useful pieces on my lathe, and think of her each time.
Each of my pieces are unique, and 100% made by my hands. The only limit is the size of the raw material, and the size of equipment I have to work with.
I have my work available on my website, and do participate in local art shows such as Art in the Park in October, and other venues. The only thing I cannot do on the website is let you experience the delicate touch and feel of my work. You have to hold it in your hands.