September Demonstrator – Eric Lofstrom

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

In addition to exploring my own creative voice, I also am very passionate about sharing the journey with others. Teaching and demonstrating woodturning techniques allows me to share what I have learned and allows a dialogue with others to stir our creative juices.

I am increasingly 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!

I plan to turn both a cut-rimmed and irregular-rimmed bowl using traditional turning tools. My demonstration will highlight tool control used in finessing a graceful curve in addition to cutting and scraping techniques aimed at minimizing the need for sanding.

You can access my website (ericlofstrom.com) for electronic handouts on bowl turning:

Translucent bowl turning handout

Spear-point scraper

demonstrator / Membership Meeting / techniques / woodturner profile / woodturning events

More Ways to Pay

squareWe have had the option on our website to join or renew your membership in SPSW with a credit or debit card through PayPal. We now have the option for you to join, renew, purchase supplies or just donate (we are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit) using Square. You can use your Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®, Discover® or debit card.

chapter profile / members / Membership

What’s Happening at Other Chapters

The Northwest Woodturners in Beaverton, Oregon are meeting on September 5th. The September and October meetings will be held at Guild of Oregon Woodworkers workshop. The program for this month has not yet been announced.

The Inland Northwest Woodturners in Spokane Valley are meeting on September 6th at the Woodcraft store. This extended meeting is featuring Keith Gotschal who will demonstrate a winged bowl, off center platter, lidded box and whatever else time permits. There will also be one or two all-day hands on classes.

The Seattle Woodturners next meeting is on September 12th. This month’s meeting will feature Tom Henscheid demonstrating “wood finishes for the finished woodturner”.

The Fraser Valley Woodturners Guild in Abbotsford, B.C. are meeting on September 12th. This meeting is Hands-on Night – 6 lathes and captains will lead how to do hollowing and bottle stoppers.

The Willamette Valley Woodturners in Salem, Oregon will be meeting on September 12th. The demonstrator for the evening will be Keith Gotshall.

The Cascade Woodturners are meeting on September 12th (change from usual night). The change was made so that the club could host Jimmy Clewes. Jimmy will demonstrate at the membership meeting, and will also have an all-day demo on Friday and an all-day workshop on Saturday.

The Southwest Idaho Woodturners are meeting on September 14th for a picnic small bowl turning.

The Northwest Washington Woodturners are meeting on September 19th with a theme of nano-turning.

The Olympic Peninsula Woodturners will be meeting on September 25th. The program for the evening has not yet been announced.

The Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild in Vancouver, B.C. are meeting next on September 26th.

The Woodturners of Olympia are meeting on September 26th and will host John Shrader demonstrating ornaments.

The Island Woodturners Guild on Vancouver Island will be meeting next on September 28th.

AAW / chapter profile / demonstrator

Chamber Music

There has been music written with innumerable themes. But this is the first one I have found that was written for a woodturner. Unfortunately all we have at the moment is the story from a blog called the Spitalfields Life, a blog about the Spitalfields, a borough in the East End of London. You can read the background here. Maybe someone will have recorded the piece and we can link it at a future date.

Chamber Music for a Wood Turner

woodturners

Latest Poll Results

Did you see our last poll? The question was “What Level Turner Are You?”

One person indicated that they make their living as a woodturner, one supplements their income with turning and one is a serious hobbyist that sells their items to pay for the materials. But as would be expected, six people (66%) said they are hobbyists and turn for fun.

Check out the current poll on the right hand side of the home page. This one is “What is your favorite finish”. Please vote!

poll

August Demonstrator – Andy Firpo

Andy FirpoOur featured demonstrator is Andy Firpo. Andy will be giving a presentation on shop safety. While this sounds like a dry subject, remember it is a subject we usually only want to talk about after the fact. When you look down and see blood all over that beautiful piece of spalted wood, it is too late to think about safety. We are all better off when we keep the subject of safety in the forefront.

demonstrator / woodturners