The Collins House Inn in Marion, VA

The Gift Gallery

At The Collins House Inn

Walnut and Lath Vase Turned by Dave Fields of Marion, VA
Wild Cherry Bowl Turned by Dave Fields of Marion, VA
Walnut and Lath Bowl Turned by Dave Fields of Marion, VA
Wild Cherry Burl Bowl Turned by Dave Fields of Marion, VA
Maple Root Vase Turned by Dave Fields of Marion, VA
Walnut Platter Turned by Dave Fields of Marion, VA

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Spalted Maple Vase Turned by Dave Fields of Marion, VA
Contact us by phone at 276-781-0250 or email at stay@collinshouseinn.com
Your Innkeeper, Dave Fields, has been a woodworker for many years. He’s always enjoyed challenging himself with being as resourceful as possible whenever undertaking a project. If ever a poster child were needed to represent the epitome of the adage, “waste not, want not” . . . Dave’s picture would be on it! And, it would be a really BIG poster! In more recent years, Dave has expanded his skills and interests to include wood turning. He deems it as somewhat of a “meditative” hobby -- allowing his mind to escape the day-to-day noise and thus yielding himself to whatever level of creativity strikes him at the time. Dave prides himself on salvaging various woods and logs that, ordinarily, would be destined for someone’s burn pile or wood stove. It’s amazing to see, sometimes, what treasures people toss aside unknowingly -- at least until they see a beautiful, one-of-a-kind turning that Dave creates from their “scraps. Included in this page are some samples of Dave’s work -- many of which are available for sale in our Gift Gallery at The Collins House Inn. We’ve had numerous guests purchase items as either mementoes of their stay at The Collins House, or for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for someone special. Dave currently has other pieces available in Marion at The Black Rooster Gallery, The Appalachian Spirit Gallery, and at two downtown Marion restaurants -- Handsome Molly’s and Main Street Gifts and Eatery. We hope you enjoy viewing some of his creations.
From Burn Piles to Vessels . . .
The body of this vase is made from lath that Dave saved during the demolition phase of our renovation. The top and base are made from walnut -- that, yes, were scraps in someone’s burn pile.
This is a small cherry bowl/cup made from a burl that was on a cherry tree salvaged from our previous home in South Carolina.
This large wild cherry bowl came from wood salvaged from a fallen tree at our previous home in South Carolina.
This is another turning from salvaged lath from our renovation project . . . and more of the previously referenced walnut.
This weed pot/vase comes from the wood of a storm-ravaged tree located on the grounds of a historical home here in Marion, VA. The woman who owns the home is actually related (through marriage) to the same Collins family for which our inn is named. She was married to Lewis Preston Collins III, son of Lewis Preston Collins II, for whom The L.P. guest room is named.
This small weed pot is turned from a root salvaged from a tree which originally stood near the front entrance to our inn. Many longtime Marion residents were saddened to see the tree cut down -- as many believed it to be one of the prettiest trees in Marion during leaf-peeper season. And, not to fear, the tree was not unnecessarily removed -- it was diseased and hollow. Several of the items that Dave has made from the salvaged roots have been purchased by local residents.
This is a beautiful walnut platter. Dave felt it best to leave as little a mark on this piece as possible -- as often times it’s best to just let the wood speak for itself.
The Collins House Inn in Marion, VA
Click to Visit Dave's New Woodturning Page