Beech Branch

I have been working on a Beech Branch that came from the Smail's in Galeton. I cut the pith out but only took 1/3 or less from the log. I have heard that the branches have stresses in them that cause breaking and distortion. . Playing the cards that I have I cut the end with the pith and I am trying to make a separate bowl out of that as well. I centered the the log on my faceplate and with the smallest removal of bark at the corner. I turned it round and determined that I didn't want to make it that big so I turned it into two pieces of about the same size, about 4 inches deep, including tenon.

I turned the first bowl about 1/4 inch thick and started to sand it. It has a long way to go but I am done turning it and going to work with the sanding the rest of the way... There is some formating that needs to be done with sandpaper but it should come out nice if the tension does not twist it in knots.

The second bowl I didn't want to get too far along. If turning first one messes it up, wanted to learn from it and not mess this one up.. I have one bowl that I just turned from the "dried" rough turned blank and I like the way it came out. It did not move much so I am hoping the same for these. The wood is medium brown with some character in the grain lines.