After viewing Brian McEvoy's DVD, "Woodburning, Airbrushing, Texturing & Piercing Embellishment" (
http://www.onegoodturn.ca/) I decided to try a Ribbon vase. I also used some techniques I picked up from Binh Pho at the 2010 Turn-On! Chicago symposium.
The pierced area was done to give an impression of wave movement on the top, and followed the grain structure on the bottom.
It was a very interesting project, and I plan on doing more of this type, replacing the ribbons with artistic waves.
Enjoy