AAW Board Message

[note]The following is a message from AAW Director Cindy Bowden[/note]

Season’s Greetings

December is a time to reflect on our accomplishments and the people who help us achieve them.

Our membership values optimism and sharing and believes that education, in whatever format, is valuable. Attending several of the regional symposia has been fun. I enjoy talking with you about your ideas for the future, what you like, and even what you do not like. These conversations have resulted in changes and plans for the future.

One major change was adding new modes of communication with you, our members. The e-newsletters have proven to be a big hit. People are starting to send photographs of successful EOG projects, workshops for kids, and new woodturning projects. We always appreciate seeing what you and your chapter have recently accomplished, and are interested in any calls for exhibition entries, woodturning exhibition locations and dates, and regional symposia.

The staff and volunteers of AAW are hard working, creative, and full of energy. When you call the AAW office you will likely be talking with Jane Charbonneau. Jane helps all of us keep track of our membership, helps you figure out how to place an order for the new smock, and knows just about all of our members. She has never met a stranger.

Betty Scarpino is the editor of the American Woodturner Journal, which you receive 6 times a year in your mailbox or on your computer. Betty is a talented artist and an editor par excellence. She is always happy to talk with you about new ideas for articles.

Linda Ferber handles memberships and chapters. She is the driving force behind our new
Woodturning Fundamentals Program, which addresses skill building for woodturners. You can register on line at the home page, woodturner.org, for this fun free option. Over 600 of you have already signed up.

Greta Tacke works with marketing and public relations. She is the editor of your e-newsletter and sends out all of our press releases about woodturning. Many of you have met her at several of the regional symposia.

Tib Shaw is the Curator of the Gallery of Wood Art. Tib designs and creates all of the wonderful exhibitions in the Landmark Center along with several exhibitions at the International Symposium. She is your resource for all of your questions about wood art.

Pippi Fentress is our special projects person. Pippi has worked on everything from marketing to projects for the symposium to educating children about woodturning. She is working on ways to interest our younger generations to turn wood.

Todd Hartley is keeping our website up to date. When you have questions about why or how this works on the website, Todd is your go-to guy.

September Hoeler works with us on advertising. Even though September is in South Carolina, she has talked to our vendors all over the world. If you want to place an ad in our Journal, e-newsletter, or website, just send her an email at: September@woodturner.org. She is always pleased to help you.

We all wish you a very Happy Holiday and look forward to working with you next year. I hope to see many of you in San Jose, California, for the next Symposium. Please let us know if we can help you in any way. After all, we are here for you.

Cindy Bowden

Director, AAW

AAW / Message

December Chapter Business

SPSW members, at the membership meeting this Thursday we will have a couple items of business to take care of.

First, we have to have elections. Here is a list of the positions on which we will be voting. The person in
parenthesis is the current candidate for that position. We will open the floor for additional candidates. All candidates will be welcome. Candidates must be a member of SPSW in good standing and be a member of AAW.

President (Dan Stromstad), Vice President (Eric Lofstrom), Secretary (Tim Ramsaur), Treasurer (Les Johnson), Dir. Of Membership (Jarred Hoffpauir), Dir. Of Communication (Bill Wood), Dir. Of Inventory Control (Steve Solatka), At Large (Jim Cotter), At Large (Keith Palmer), At Large (Jack Wayne), At Large (Andy Firpo).

The second item is to seek approval of a revision to the SPSW By-Laws. This is required so that we can fulfill the requirements of becoming a 501(c)(3) organization. A copy of the proposed by-laws was sent to members and can also be found here http://www.spswoodturners.org/for-members/draft-by-laws-12-12-2011

Membership Meeting

December – Christmas Party

SantaIt is time again for our annual Christmas Party. We have changed the format a little this year. There will be prizes for everyone and drawings for some of the items our fantastic vendors have provided to us.

This year we will have a sit down potluck dinner. Everyone is encouraged to bring their favorite side dish or hot dish. If you are confused, check Wikipedia for a definition of side dish.

All of the desserts will be provided by our own wonderful Beth Hauge. Several people have asked me what to bring, including Beth. In her words, “What is your favorite dessert?” This will explain the deviled eggs with sprinkles on them.

Bring your significant other. (That is as politically correct as I get.) This is a PARTY!

We will be having Show & Tell at each table, so bring one of your favorite items. (I am still short a few Christmas presents, so if they are not your favorites, you can always donate them to my cause.)

No matter what, show up. The doors open at six.

Membership Meeting

International Woodturning Exchange Auction

Guilio Marcolongo
Donated turning by Guilio Marcolongo
Internationally renowned artists from the world-wide woodturning community have generously donated their work for an EBay auction to support a unique and exciting International Woodturners Exchange (IWX) program. This will be an unprecedented opportunity to purchase beautiful wood art, while at the same time supporting cultural, educational and inspirational exchange programs for the international woodturning community. These programs will fund: (1) future two-way exchanges, (2) recognizing individuals who have promoted and fostered international cooperation, and (3) developing educational programs to celebrate how our cultural differences influence how we view, interpret and share our woodturning passion. These goals are currently being discussed by members of the American Association of Woodturners from the USA, Britain, France, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Germany. The name of this discussion group is Turners Without Borders (TWB).

Artists that are donating works for this cause include:

  • Eli Avisera
  • Kip Christiansen
  • Jack Devos
  • Sharon Doughtie
  • Bonnie Klein
  • Binh Pho
  • Al Stirt
  • Andi Wolfe

As of now these items have not yet been listed in the IWX store on eBay, but they should be there shortly. You can see some on the items on the IWX webpage.

Your generosity will help foster the spirit of cooperation and friendship in the global community of woodturners.

AAW / woodturning events

SPSW Member Profile – Eric Lofstrom

Eric Lofstrom Hollow Vessel

How long have you been turning and what interested you in wood turning to start with?
I have been turning since January 2002. I saw a demonstration at the Sumner Woodworker Store on how to turn a pen & letter opener set and couldn’t believe how fast a finished product could come from a raw chunk of wood. My wife bought me a lathe for Christmas and that is all it took to completely hook me!

Do you have a particular type of turning you prefer over another? Bowls, pens, spindle etc…

I like ALL types of turning. I feel like I’m still searching for my turning niche. I find a huge amount of satisfaction in just making shavings no matter what project is in front of me! I also prefer smooth flowing curves and a sense of balance in whatever I am turning.

What is your favorite wood to turn?

I really don’t have a single favorite wood because it depends on the project. Currently, my favorite woods to turn are: Maple, Madrone, Alder, and Cherry because they are readily available and cut nicely with a sharp tool.

Eric LofstromWhat was your inspiration for the hollow vessels you brought to the meeting…?

My parents. My mom is an avid quilter and also weaves, my dad is a song-writer and musician. The vessels have elements to honor both of them; basket weave style texture with quilt squares and the glowing of light from the guilded inners.

How long did it take you to make the hollow vessel (above)?

It’s hard for me to say exactly, as I get so involved in the process that I typically lose all track of time. I would guess that the larger vessel took about 1 hour on the lathe and approx. 12 hrs. off the lathe with embellishments.

members / woodturner profile

Woodturning Fundamentals

The AAW has just announced a new program called Woodturning Fundamentals. This program will focus on skill building for turners by providing information and resources on safety, basic turning techniques, and reference materials for equipment. The Woodturning Fundamentals web page is available to anyone with an interest in woodturning!

AAW members will be able to subscribe at no cost to a bi-monthly e-newsletter that will feature how-to projects, instructional videos, and tips to get you started! There will also be a Q&A section that will feature questions submitted by e-newsletter subscribers.

The Woodturning Fundamentals Committee is made up of teachers and experienced turners who are eager to share their expertise: Kurt Hertzog (Chair), Nick Cook, Joe Herrmann, Beth Ireland, Linda Ferber, Mark Knierim, Keith Tompkins, and Rob Wallace

AAW / techniques