{"product_id":"the-long-game-bigleaf-maple-burl-shot-glass","title":"The Long Game — Bigleaf Maple Burl Shot Glass","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Long Game — Bigleaf Maple Burl Shot Glass\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStory \/ Provenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome wood is won twice: first in the moment, then through patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe larger cut behind this piece came from a live auction hosted by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rogersredwoodburl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eRogers Redwood BURL\u003c\/a\u003e. It was the second online wood-auction purchase made for the Gentry Crafted shop and the first Bigleaf Maple burl endcap added to the wood collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winning bid required its own bit of judgment. While attending a St. Louis Battlehawks game, the auction stream appeared to be running roughly 10 to 15 seconds behind. Waiting for the visible countdown would have been too late. The bid had to be placed according to where the auction probably was rather than where the screen said it was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe timing worked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat purchase became several earlier vessels—some given as gifts, some kept for a growing personal collection, and others offered through Gentry Crafted. This particular section remained behind, waiting for the skill and confidence needed to carry it safely through stabilization and onto the lathe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout This Piece\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBigleaf Maple (\u003cem\u003eAcer macrophyllum\u003c\/em\u003e) earns its name. Native to the Pacific Northwest, it bears leaves that can reach approximately 12 inches across and grows into what the National Park Service identifies as North America’s tallest maple. Its scale can feel almost oversized, even among other maples. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/articles\/000\/bigleaf-maple.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eLearn more about Bigleaf Maple.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis shot glass makes the opposite journey: a small vessel carrying an unexpectedly large visual statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark lines of spalting travel through tightly gathered burl figure, separating fields of warm amber and brown. Nothing was added to create that contrast. The wood was personally vacuum-stabilized without dye because it had no need for embellishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarlier work with this burl also carried an important lesson. Figure alone does not make a dependable drinking vessel. The material must be sufficiently sound, properly dried, and prepared for its intended use. Rather than risk the remaining wood before the process was understood, stabilization waited until each stage—from moisture removal through vacuum treatment and curing—could be approached with confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe form reflects the same restraint. A more elaborate interior would have consumed valuable space within an already narrow blank. There are moments to experiment and moments to trust a simple, solid plan. This was a piece worth protecting. Its traditional interior and quiet cylindrical form leave the complexity where it belongs—in the wood itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spalted Bigleaf Maple Burl (\u003cem\u003eAcer macrophyllum\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c\/strong\u003e Burl endcap acquired from Rogers Redwood BURL in California\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 3-1\/16 inches tall × 1-7\/16 inches wide\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-turned, one of one\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditional shot-glass form\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWood treatment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Personally vacuum-stabilized\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural—no dye\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Walnut oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand wash only; do not soak or place in a dishwasher\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollection:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Gathering\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gentry Crafted","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49069227344127,"sku":"GCBigleafLongGameSG","price":82.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0702\/2808\/2943\/files\/the-long-game-bigleaf-maple-burl-shot-glass-hero-2026-09.jpg?v=1789740106","url":"https:\/\/gentrycrafted.com\/products\/the-long-game-bigleaf-maple-burl-shot-glass","provider":"Gentry Crafted","version":"1.0","type":"link"}