Born and raised in Tennessee, Elizabeth first specialized in engineering, earning an M.S. in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In 2015 she began woodworking with her first creations including several pieces of furniture in the Arts and Crafts style, but she eventually turned to smaller objects and now specializes in bowls, spoons, and boxes. Her skills range from natural finish and simple forms to highly carved and painted forms that emulate natural motifs. She was awarded the American Association of Woodturner’s 2023 Professional Outreach Program’s Artist Showcase and teaches woodturning and carving across the country.

Always entertaining, Doug is a reliable Member Demonstrator SPSW. His past contributions include Wood Stabilization (June 2022) and Chucks, Chucks and More Chucks (May 2024). Both of which may be found in the members only portion of our SPSW website under demonstration videos. In his latest rendition coming to the SPSW stage on February 19, 2026, Doug will share key insights for making a John Beaver type Wave Bowl. One of his goals is to demonstrate less involved techniques most of us could deploy in our own shops to safely cut a round object in half… You don’t want to miss this one, there might even be a golden reward at the end of the rainbow.

Rick Rich is a professional woodturner from Clark County, Washington. He is proud to be a founding member, and current president, of the SW Washington Woodturners. Rick is also a member the Cascade Woodturners Association in Portland, OR, the Northwest Woodturners of Tualatin, OR and the American Association of Woodturners. His strong preference is spindle turning, but he includes faceplate turning, bowls, small tabletops, dishes, and like items in his repertoire.

Rick’s description says, ‘This unique desk toy has a top which eventually tips over and stays on the tower, ready for the next spin.’ On Jan 15th, 2026, he will also demonstrate making a traditional spinning top with a small bowl to spin it in. This demo focuses on tool use techniques and exploring precision turning. No specialized tools are used—just the standard equipment most turners already have. Get ready to enjoy a fun and unique toy turning demo!

In the beginning, sharpening is a mystery for all of us turners. For some, it remains a mystery for much longer than need be. Learning to sharpen your tools is as critical as learning to ride the bevel.

Fortunately for South Puget Sound Woodturners members who attend our November meeting, our own Director of Mentoring, Mike Poirier, will be on stage to de-mystify sharpening. He will fill the evening with information and key insights on different sharpening systems, jigs and techniques. He will show how he uses these tools to produce a sharp edge. Bring your questions.

This is a fun and simple project to experiment with multi-axis turning. These weed pots are miniature versions of the large vases I show in my multi-axis vase and spout off vase demos. They are turned using many of the same concepts, without the complexity of having to hollow out a vessel. As an added plus, they can be done on almost any size lathe. Optionally, this demo can also cover regular weed pots, which are a great exercise for those new to turning as a practice in spindle work and help in creating shapes and forms that are pleasing to the eye.

You can download the demo handout here.

• Club member Jim Robson will be demonstrating how he turns ornaments including tree and bulb shaped ornaments. He will cover materials and prep of the blank, tools needed, mounting the blank, turning the blank, sanding and finishing;

   

• Club Member Ethan Green will be demonstrating how he turns Mini-Hollow Forms with a bery cool mini-hollowing kit he has assemb.ed with simple components purchased online. Attendees will oearn about the tools used as well as the techniques for working through a 1/4″ hole to hollow these miniture delights;

   

• SPSW Webmaster Tim Spaulding will be available to aid club members with access to the SPSW website and the Member’s Only section. Do bring your own computer if you need assistance;

   

   

• Club Member John Howard and the Club Store Sales Team will be on hand to help you stock up on shop supplies. Support the SPSW club through your supply purchases;

   

   

   

• Club Member Devin Garlick will be heading up the wood sales table. Support the SPSW club through your wood purchases;

   

   

   

• Club Member Jimmie Allen his storefront of D-Way and BoxMaster tools for the ease of shopping for your favorite woodturner’s critical needs.

   

   

   

Kathleen’s start in woodworking truly began in early childhood watching her dad, Oscar Frey, build various wooden objects. She enjoyed watching him puzzle out how to make and build the different pieces and elements of his projects. Even at an early age she was absorbing his problem-solving methods and inventiveness as he progressed on a project. One of her most cherished pieces that he made for the family is a beautiful clock that Kathleen dubs the “Incredible Time Machine.” She also recalls a decorative spinning wheel that dad made for mom, Margaretta.

Kathleen will demonstrate the wing element of her interpretation of an umbrella ornament during our August 21st, meeting. She will include key elements of turning the wing form, design considerations and how she forms her piercings. This is certainly a timely topic leading into our September Mini- Symposium focused on holiday ornaments.

Social hour starts at 5:30, meeting starts at 6:30 at the Almendinger Center.

The Segmented Woodturners Chapter of the AAW has rescheduled it’s Segmenting Chicago Symposium September 25 -27, 2026 at the Hilton Chicago Northbrook Hotel. The list of demonstrators is really a who’s who of the segmenting world. There will be an instant gallery, trade show, segmenting swap and raffle. There will also be a Beads of Courage collection box. There is much more information on the symposium website.

Brad began working with wood at the age of 5 when he received his first toolbox. “There hasn’t been a time that I can remember, where wood has not been a significant part of my life,” recalls Brad.

After graduating from college, Brad remained true to his heart. He realized that working with wood was not enough. He wanted to share his love for wood through teaching; and it has rewarded him with many enriching experiences. Brad taught Graphic Arts in Mukilteo, WA and then moved to Wyoming, where he taught woodworking to Arapaho and Shoshone Native American Children (grades 3-8).

Then in 1985, Brad moved to California. There he started a new job and became a father of a newly born daughter. Sensing her husband’s need to find some avenue to work with wood, Brad’s wife Silvia bought him a wood lathe. And from that point on, Brad knew he had found his niche. Brad says, “Of all the creative endeavors I have pursued, wood turning has been the most rewarding, it is the pursuit of my heart.”

By 2006 Brad was ready to get back home to the Pacific Northwest, so Olympia is now home; let the chips fly!

Dan’s fourth lathe is the Powermatic lathe he has in his shop today. Here is Dan with a large maple blank in his previous shop. He calls this, “My Happy Place.”

Dan’s involvement with the SPSW grew over the years. Between 2010 and 2012, Dan served as club president. These days Dan looks forward to mentoring new woodturners and supporting charity causes by turning and donating wooden bowls.

Dan will be demonstrating Inside Out Turning a Christmas Ornament, timely subject giving you plenty of time to turn yours.