Spencer Peterman transforms disfigured fallen trees covered with moss and dirt into utilitarian wood bowls. In a workshop behind his Gill store, Peterman's Boards & Bowls, in northwest Massachusetts, the craftsman uses a lathe he designed to produce round and roughly edged oval bowls from maple, black walnut, and cherry (8 to 21 inches, $55 to $878). He selects chunks with winding patterns of decay to give a dramatic and unique look to the bowls, which are coated with food-safe finishes. Peterman also crafts rustic serving boards and trays, napkin rings, bottle stoppers, and stylish salad tossers ($40 to $315). Peterman's Boards & Bowls, 61 French King Highway, Gill, 413-863-2116 and Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston; also available at Good, 133 Charles St., Boston, 617-722-9200; Fire Opal, 320 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-739-9066; Didrik's, 190 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 671-354-5700 and 2284 Washington St., Newton Lower Falls, 617-467-4847; or go to www.spencerpeterman.com.
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