Woodturning with Ray Allen

woodturning with ray allenThere are two books widely recognized as essential in the library of a segmented woodturner. The first is Woodturning with Ray Allen by Dale Nish. The second is The Art of Segmented Woodturning by Malcolm Tibbetts.

Segmented woodturning has been around for a long time, but Ray Allen took the art to the next level. After retiring from a 30 year career in the construction industry Ray found his passion in turning. Allen was inspired by Southwestern art and incorporated that into the design of his vessels. His pieces are in major collections throughout the world.

Woodturning with Ray Allen was written by Dale Nish to share Allen’s creativity; not only in the design of the vessels he turned, but also the solutions he developed to create his turnings. This book details many of Allen’s techniques for choice of material, preparation of segments, glue up and turning. There are color photos of many of Allen’s pieces and also a section that details exactly how many of the feature ring designs are created.

There are many great tips in this book and you won’t go wrong by picking up a copy. And good news for SPSW members, we have a copy in our chapter library. Just send a note to our Librarian, Keith Palmer, to check out this book.

AAW / Membership / reviews / segmented

Sell Your Work

northwest woodturners logoThe Northwest Woodturners in Beaverton, Oregon, had a panel discussion at their November membership meeting on selling your work. In their December newsletter they posted excerpts from the discussions which include:

  • Bob Tuck talking about “Ins and Outs,Trials and Tribulations of the Craft Shows”
  • Gary Sundquist on “How to talk with gallery owners. Learn if their gallery gives a good selling strategy for you.”
  • David Williams: “Fame & Fortune in Woodturning”. Dreams and expectations in a world that can be as
    fickle and elusive as playing the slot machines on the Vegas Strip. From conversations with the famous.
  • Barb Hall on “Trade show booths”.

If you have any interest in selling you work but don’t know where to start, I highly recommend reading this summary in the Northwest Woodturners December Newsletter.

AAW / chapter profile / newsletter

Got ‘Er Done

Since attending a seminar on how to become a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization at the AAW symposium in Minneapolis last June, SPSW President Dan Stromstad has made attaining that status for the SPSW his goal. Following many months of research and hard work, including the approval of revised by-laws by the membership at the December meeting, the paperwork has been filed with the IRS. According to the IRS rules, we are now a 501(c)(3) organization until they say we aren’t.

Dan thanked those involved with getting to this point in this email to the SPSW Board:

“It is true that we all worked hard to get this accomplished. Andy (Firpo) for his timely work on the Bylaws, Les (Johnson) for all his work on the books, Bill (wood) for supporting our efforts with his emails and newsletter. My many calls to Larry Miller, Jack Wayne and Pat McCart seeking information to fill out the complicated form. Les’s wife Carole also got involved with wise counsel since her club just went through this same process. There must be others to thank as well, but suffice it to say that it was a job well done and it is done for now.

Thanks to everyone for their efforts and support.

Dan”

Message

What’s Happening at Other Chapters

The Inland Northwest Woodturners in Spokane Valley will be holding their next meeting on January 5th. The January meeting agenda is open turning. There will be a finial station, making pens from bullet shells and a couple other activities.

The Northwest Woodturners in Tigard, Oregon are meeting on January 5th and will be holding a tool swap. As they say in their newsletter “the swap meet is a great chance for members to socialize, trade junk (er – valuable tools and equipment), and occasionally get a great bargain on something you really needed or wanted.”

The Seattle Woodturners will be meeting on January 12th in their new location, the VFW facility in Redmond. The demonstrator for the evening will be Jon Magill who will be presenting on ornamental turning. Jon developed plans for building your own rose-engine lathe.

Fraser Valley Woodturners GuildThe Fraser Valley Woodturners Guild in Abbotsford, B.C. are holding their next meeting on January 12th. The meeting will feature “hand-on” turning with three lathe stations: spinning tops for all members; honey dippers for all members; and small lidded boxes for the more advanced.

The Cascade Woodturners in Portland, Oregon, will be meeting on January 19th. They plan on using local demonstrators for the first couple of months and their newsletter lists many great demonstrations in the works.

The Northwest Washington Woodturners in Mount Vernon, WA will meet next on January 19th. The program will be announced by the new officers in their next newsletter.

The Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild in Vancouver, B.C. is meeting on January 25th and will have a demonstration by Bruce Campbell on gouges: types, uses, flute design, sharpening and steel.

The Olympic Peninsula Woodturners in Bremerton will be meeting on January 25th with a demonstration by Dennis “Tones” Briggs.

The Island Woodturners Guild on Vancouver Island will be meeting on January 28th. The program for the afternoon had not yet been announced.

AAW / chapter profile

1st Annual Woodturning Invitational

[note]The following was provided by SPSW member Ed Quesnell[/note]

The Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center in Puyallup, Washington

presents

The 1st Annual
Woodturning Invitational
Juried Show and Sale
March 17th – April 1st, 2012

Get out of your shop and participate in the Fun & Excitement of the Northwest’s largest Woodturning Invitational Show and Sale. It will be held at the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center on the Puyallup Fairgrounds, Puyallup, WA. There will be professional judges to screen the work & awards will be given in each category. Monetary awards will be given.

We are inviting woodturners from WA, OE, ID & MT. The show will be open to the public each weekend (Sat. and Sun.) March 17th – April 1st.

We prefer that the turnings be for sale. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s “Experience Art program” at the Center. The Center carries libility insurance but you are encouraged to carry your own policy for theft or damage.

There will be a turners and patrons reception on March 17th in conjunction with Fred Oldfield’s 94th Birthday Celebration.

Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center
110 9th S.W.
Puyallup, WA 98371

253-752-9708 or 866-445-9175

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 1539, Puyallup, WA 98371

foldfield@comcast.net / www.fredoldfieldcenter.org

AAW / woodturning events

Are You Covered

Do you sell your work? Even if it is only occasionally your insurance company may deny coverage for your woodturning equipment, tools and materials.

The AAW recently announced a new benefit for AAW members. As a member of the AAW you can obtain coverage for your woodturning equipment against fire, theft and other events at a nominal cost. If you do craft shows, you can add a “Location Floater” to cover your inventory and other property while away from your primary location.

If you are an AAW member and would like more information, check the individual insurance information page.

AAW / members