Any fruit wood, beech but not yew as it is poisonous and not good for your health :mrgreen: Walnut also has a lovely grain or lelandii. Believe it or not leylandii, when it's good and dry, turns beautifully, has a lovely grain and takes a really good finish. See below
What sort of size? I would go for cherry if i could. It's a lovely wood with a beautiful grain. I have made several small ones from cherry branches, just 3" diameter. I cut the branch down the middle and turned one from each half. When they are put top to top it shows exactly what the branch looked like. I use them to put me nuts in when I'm watching the haunted fish tank (TV to you) :shock: