What’s Happening at Other Chapters

The Northwest Woodturners in Beaverton, Oregon are meeting on February 6th. Jim Hall will be demonstrating carving.

The Inland Northwest Woodturners in Spokane Valley are meeting on February 6th. The program for the evening has not yet been announced.

The Southwest Idaho Woodturners are meeting on February 11th. The meeting will feature Aaron Cornell demonstrating hollow forms.

The Seattle Woodturners will be meeting next on February 13th. This month’s meeting will feature Olympia Woodturners President Larry Miller demonstrating threading.

The Fraser Valley Woodturners Guild in Abbotsford, B.C. are meeting on February 13th. Dave Ruttan of Tancot Equipment will be presenting Bandsaw 101.

The Willamette Valley Woodturners in Salem, Oregon will be meeting on February 13th. Bryan Thoet will be presenting finishing and finishing products. The chapter is also working on getting ready for the Oregon Woodturning Symposium on March 6 – 8, 2015. Great list of demonstrators including SPSW’s Eric Lofstrom.

The Northwest Washington Woodturners are meeting on February 20th. The program for the evening has not been announced.

The Cascade Woodturners are meeting on February 20th. Alan Carter will be demonstrating long stems and suspended vessels.

The Island Woodturners Guild on Vancouver Island will be meeting next on February 22nd. Andre Robin will be demonstrating eccentric turning and Trudy Friesen will be demonstrating glass slumping.

The Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild in Vancouver, B.C. are meeting next on February 26th. The program for the evening has not yet been announced. John Beaver will be coming in March for a demo and class.

The Woodturners of Olympia are meeting on February 27th. This meeting will be their “Turn and Learn”, like our mini-symposium. The topics include sharpening, hollow forms, whistles and tops, miniature bird houses and turning for beginners.

The Olympic Peninsula Woodturners will be meeting on February 27th. Olympia President Larry Miller will be demonstrating threading systems.

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

Turners Without Borders to China

Turners Without Borders (TWB), an initiative of the AAW, is partnering the International Wood Culture Society (IWCS) to present a group of international woodturners to the Chinese public.

Until now only individual international turners have demonstrated in China, so this will be the first time for such an event to be held there. It is part of World Wood Day organized by IWCS to celebrate wood culture in many forms.

The demonstrations will be held at the Fujian Xianyou China Classical Art Expo City, from March 19-25.

The turners who will be demonstrating are Bonnie Klein (USA), Jacques Vesery (USA), Andrew Chen (USA), Theo Haralampou (Australia), Terry Martin (Australia) and Adam Doran (Ireland).

For more information about this event visit the IWCS website.

To find out more about the activities of TWB, visit their page on the AAW website.

AAW / demonstrator / symposiums / woodturners

January Demonstrator – Andy Firpo

Andy FirpoAndy Firpo will be giving the second half of his Safety Presentation. Those of you who attended the first session at our August meeting will remember that it was probably the best interactive program we have had in a long time. Andy does a fantastic job and I promise that you will thoroughly enjoy the program. (No pressure on you, Andy.)

demonstrator / Membership Meeting / safety

Texturing 101

_DSC1961-LIf you were at our October mini-symposium one of the demonstrations you would have seen was basic texturing given by our membership director Stan Gardner. Stan showed us several different tools and techniques used to add interest to turnings.

If you are an AAW member you received the December, 2013 issue of American Woodturner. In it is a nice article by Mike Peace titled Texturing and Spiraling. In this article Mike explains the difference between texturing and spiraling wheels and shows how to use each on spindles, bowls and platters.

This is a good instructional article, one of many you can find in American Woodturners, with many pictures so you get a good visual of the correct way to use these tools. Check it out!

If you are not a member of AAW, why not? The subscription to American Woodturner is worth more than cost of the membership. Otherwise, you can pick up a copy at your favorite woodworking store.

AAW / demonstrator / techniques / tools

AAW Message

Note – The following is a message from AAW Executive Director Phil McDonald

As 2013 draws to a close, I have the pleasure of reflecting on nearly two years since I arrived at the AAW. I relish every opportunity I’ve been given to contribute to this extraordinary organization and to the mission of educating others. And along the way I’ve been captivated by the wealth of personal stories shared with me by members as a testament to how the AAW has benefited the lives of others.

Every member counts, and every gift directly helps to support the work we do. 2013 has proven to be an excellent year for AAW. Our membership exceeded 15,000, an all-time high. We launched a new scholarship program to two major craft schools in conjunction with our local chapters. Over $35,000 in Educational Opportunity Grants were distributed. Publication of our Woodturning FUNdamentals digital resource entered its second year and subscriptions are climbing. And I am indebted to my tremendously dedicated staff of three here in Saint Paul, Linda, Jane and Tib, and of course Betty Scarpino, editor of our journal, who have ensured we consistently deliver top service to the entire membership throughout the entire year.

Your donation to the AAW is vital to sustain our momentum and to meet the challenge of higher operating expenses as we grow and it will enable us to continually add to the value of membership. In February we will be launching a new website and online member relations system. We have intentions of expanding the page count in future issues of American Woodturner and publishing new digital and mobile editions. We’ve heard the call from members to present more online instructional videos. And in the Spring of 2014 we are planning to publish the next round of instruction books in our new woodturning workbook series.

We have made it extremely convenient to donate at any level your budget may allow, by either using our online fundraising site by clicking here, or by simply mailing a check or calling our Saint Paul office. In recognition of your tax-deductible contribution we are offering Thank You gifts at each of the following levels of giving:

For a $100 minimum gift: A complete set of the new three-book AAW “Elements of Woodturning” workbook series.

For a $50 minimum gift: Any one book from either the AAW “Getting Started in Woodturning” or the “Elements of Woodturning” workbook series.

Our success in 2013 is a direct result of your support together with the AAW Board’s commitment to the oversight and stewardship of all of AAW’s financial and organizational resources. We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead. I extend my deepest appreciation for your longstanding loyalty to our mission. If you would like more information on how to donate, please contact me.

Yours respectfully,

Phil Sign

AAW / Message