March Demonstrator – Eric Lofstrom

There is nothing more powerful than being inspired by an idea and having the confidence to create that one-of-a-kind piece on the lathe…this is what woodturning is all about! – E.Lofstrom

Eric LofstromWoodturning adventures began for me in October of 2001 at a woodworking store in Sumner, WA. Attending a free woodworking demonstration on turning pens and letter openers was all it took to hook my curiosity. Creating shavings on a lathe consumed my thoughts for the next few weeks as I wrapped my brain around how a finished piece could emerge from rough materials so quickly! After hearing all the details (several times), my wife pursued this spark of excitement and set my woodturning journey in motion with a mini lathe and tool set for Christmas. Years later, my woodturning enthusiasm continues to grow. Like many turners, my woodturning adventures began with scraps of 2x4s and “factory sharpened” tools. Several startling catches in the first few projects quickly focused me on the why and how of creating curls instead of settling for sawdust. Gaining tool control and improving my technique became a personal quest. Whether creating a fitted lid box or multi-axis turning, a translucent or winged bowl, a hollow form or exploring surface embellishments, I enjoy projects which challenge my skills and stretch my creativity.

In the fall of 2002, I began my membership in the South Puget Sound Chapter of the AAW. I served on the board of directors from 2005-2012 and have enjoyed representing our club at several woodworking shows in addition to mentoring others at our club’s monthly sawdust sessions. I began demonstrations and teaching woodturning classes at local woodworking stores in 2006. Since then, I have demonstrated at several symposiums and woodturning clubs around the Pacific Northwest. The constant exposure to other turners continues to transform my awareness and understanding of turning fundamentals.

Conscious of the importance tool control plays in creating pieces, I believe it is not only important to know which techniques work but also why they work. As a passionate teacher and woodturner, I hope to impact the world of woodturning by helping others build confidence in tool control and developing their own voice in woodturning!

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What’s Happening at Other Chapters

The Northwest Woodturners in Beaverton, OR will be meeting on March 3rd. This will be station demo night.

The Inland Northwest Woodturners in Spokane Valley are meeting on March 3rd. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Southwest Idaho Woodturners in Boise, ID will be meeting on March 8th. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Fraser Valley Woodturners in Abbotsford, B.C. will be meeting on March 10th. The meeting will feature bowl turning with FVWG member Keith Ruttan.

The Willamette Valley Woodturners in Salem, Oregon will be meeting on March 10th. Dan Tilden will demonstrate turning hollow vessels.

The Seattle Woodturners are meeting on March 10th. Stephen Hatcher will be the demonstrator. Stephen will also be conducting an all-day workshop on the 12th.

The Mid Columbia Woodturners in Pasco, WA will be meeting on March 12th. Dave Biancosino will demonstrate how to turn a turkey pot call with details on wood selection and decoration. Dave will also show how to turn an acrylic pen without chipping and getting a super gloss finish.

The Northwest Washington Woodturners in Mt. Vernon will be meeting on March 17th. International demonstrator Jimmy Clewes will be the demonstrator for the meeting. Jimmy will also teaching a members only class on Friday and will hold an all-day demo on Saturday the 19th.

The Cascade Woodturners in Portland, OR will be meeting on March 17th. Dale Larson and Mike Meredith will demonstrate spheres and threading.

The Island Woodturners Guild on Vancouver Island will be meeting on March 19th. This is a week earlier than usual. Rob Dunlop will demonstrate turning a spoon. Tim Soutar will then do a demonstration on Surface Texturing using a variety of tools including rotary cutters and a wood burner.

The Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild in Vancouver, B.C. will be meeting on March 23rd. Ed Pretty will demonstrate holding with jam chucks and Bill Fowle will demonstrate putting a picture on wood.

The Southwest Washington Woodturners will be meeting on March 23rd. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Woodturners of Olympia are meeting next on March 24th. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Beaver State Woodturners in Eugene, Oregon are getting together on February 25th. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Olympic Peninsula Woodturners are meeting next on March 30th. Jay Shepard will discuss design elements for woodturners.

AAW / demonstrator / Membership Meeting / woodturning events

Woodturners of Olympia 2016 Symposium

woodturners of olympia logoThe Woodturners of Olympia are holding their 2016 symposium on July 23rd. Bob Espen will open the day followed by Michael Hosaluk. Bob will explain the why and how of filling, patching and coloring, sandblasting, and finishing burl. The Michael will discuss design considerations, then will demonstrate spindle work: bending, offset, subtractive techniques, a top, candle holder, ladle & spatula. Following lunch Michael will demonstrate a bowl with a carved element using subtractive techniques, unusual boxes and containers and artistic elements. There will also be door prizes. More information is available on their 2016 Symposium page.

AAW / chapter profile / demonstrator / symposiums / techniques / woodturning events

What’s Happening at Other Chapters

The Northwest Woodturners in Beaverton, OR will be featuring Dale Larson at this month’s meeting on February 4th . Dale will start his presentation with a slide show of how to cut a bowl blank from a tree, and then end by finish turning a bowl. He will discuss how to read the grain of the tree to maximize the figure in your bowl.

The Inland Northwest Woodturners in Spokane Valley are meeting on February 4th. This will be a “full station on board!” hands on goblet turning fest.

The Southwest Idaho Woodturners in Boise, ID will be meeting on February 9th. The program will feature a demonstration of hoop turning. The SWIWT are presenting their annual symposium, Artistry in Wood, on February 27th and 28th.

The Seattle Woodturners are meeting on February 11th. Tom Johanson will be demonstrating Turning Magic (Magic wands and spindle techniques)

The Fraser Valley Woodturners in Abbotsford, B.C. will be meeting on February 11th. The program will feature “5 Tips from 5 Turners”. The best 25 tips you’ll see anywhere from our fellow turners!

The Willamette Valley Woodturners in Salem, Oregon will be meeting on February 11th. Ashley Harwood will be demonstrating finials.

The Mid Columbia Woodturners in Pasco, WA will be meeting on February 13th. The theme will be on enhancing your work by piercing, carving, denting, marking, texturing and so on after the piece is removed from the lathe. There will be a few tables set up with the various tools and pieces ready to be marked so everyone can get a chance to try their hand at this.

The Northwest Washington Woodturners in Mt. Vernon will be meeting on February 18th. AJ Mearns will be presenting a coring demo.

The Cascade Woodturners in Portland, OR will be meeting on February 18th. Ashley Harwood will be demonstrating bowls, finials and sharpening.

The Olympic Peninsula Woodturners are meeting next on February 24th. This meeting will feature Finishing Workshop II.

The Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild in Vancouver, B.C. will be meeting on February 24th. Jay Mapson will demonstrate boxes and Bob Askew will demonstrate a nutcracker. Also, Michael Hosaluk will be presenting an all-day demo on the 20th and a hands-on class on the 21st.

The Woodturners of Olympia are meeting next on February 25th. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Beaver State Woodturners in Eugene, Oregon are getting together on February 25th. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Island Woodturners Guild on Vancouver Island will be meeting on February 27th. The chapter will have an all-day demonstration by internationally renowned turner Michael Hosaluk.

AAW / chapter profile / demonstrator / Membership Meeting / woodturning events