IWCS Northwest Spring Meeting

international wood collectors society logoThe International Wood Collectors Society (IWCS) will be holding their Northwest Spring Meeting on May 7th. They have planned a day full of demos, displays, wood varieties, show & tell, wood auction and more. Demonstrations will include woodturning by Ed Quesnell, Fred Holder and John Hampton. The event will be held at the Adna Grange hall 5 miles west of Chehalis on hiway 6. Take exit # 77 off of Interstate 5 and watch for IWCS signs.

Everyone is encouraged to bring displays of their craftwork and tables will be available. Bring some of your new creations as well as some of your favorite items that you may have shown before.

Doors will open at 9 am and coffee and goodies will be available. A meal will be served at noon by the ladies of the Grange for $10 per person. The Grange requests dinner confirmation by April 23rd.

This meeting is not limited to IWCS members. Please invite any interested persons that you know to attend. There is no admission fee. Visitors do not have to eat lunch at the Grange if they choose not to do so.

More information and registration information can be found on the IWCS website.

woodturning events

WOO Annual Symposium

woodturners of olympia logoThe Woodturners of Olympia are holding their annual Creativity in Woodturning symposium on July 23rd featuring Mike Mahoney and Stephen Hatcher. This all day event will include demonstrations on:

– how to cut a log to get the best blanks for turning
– establishing design, form and finish
– popping the grain
– nested natural edge bowls
– making an heirloom bowl or platter

Stephen Hatcher will also be conducting two all day workshops on the 24th and 25th.

Registration cost to the symposium includes a gourmet meal. More information and the registration form can be found on the Woodturners of Olympia symposium information page.

About the Turners

Mike Mahoney, Provo, UT

mike mahoneyMike Mahoney has been a professional wood turner since 1994. His bowls are featured in galleries across the United States. Mike’s work is sought after by collectors all over the world. Mike is often requested to demonstrate and teach for wood turning clubs, craft schools and symposia. He has traveled around the world to discuss and demonstrate his craft. He is considered an authority in woodturning. Mike is passionate about his craft and the American Craft movement. He is dedicated to producing quality craft and educating the public about woodturning. His wood comes from urban sources (tree trimmers and local cities). He produces all of his work on the lathe without any embellishments after the fact, creating a very traditional feel with contemporary ideas. He wants his work to be attractive as well as useful.

“For my work to be admired is one thing, but for my work to be used fulfills my purpose as a craftsman.”

Stephen Hatcher, Olympia, WA

stephen hatcherStephen is an artist who works with wood and stone, lathe turning platters and vases from wood and then inlaying mineral crystals to create images of striking beauty. He has merged the disparate techniques of woodturning and stone carving, resulting in work that is unique both technically and in style. The pieces are made from highly figured woods where each design is inspired first by the wood figure that presents itself and the best form to capture that figure. The inlay designs are uniquely hand carved and created with layered translucent crystals. These designs and principally inspired by the changing seasons and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest as well as the traditional art forms of Japan.

woodturning events

AAW POP Auction

dewey garrett woodturning
Palm Wood Vessell by Dewey Garrett
The American Association of Woodturners (AAW) is conducting two sets of auctions on eBay to support the Professional Outreach Program (POP). The mission of the POP is to promote a greater understanding of professionalism within the field of contemporary woodturning.

Twenty-six artists have donated spectacular pieces for this year’s auction. These are some of the best and best known woodturners today – Stephen Hatcher, Art Liestman, Binh Pho, David Ellsworth, Dale Larson, Don Derry, Curt Theobald and many more. SPSW members may recognize names of those who have given demonstrations at our monthly meetings.

Here’s your chance to own an amazing piece of art and support the AAW. Go to the AAW POP Auction Page and click the artist’s name to get a description of the piece and a link to the auction page. Part one of the auction started April 9th and will continue until April 16th. Part two of the auction begins today, April 13th and will continue until April 23rd.

AAW

Camping and Woodturning

northwest washington woodturners logoDo you like woodturning? Do you like camping? Well, the Northwest Washington Woodturners has the event for you. The AAW chapter is holding a Camping and Turning Rendezvous in Ellensburg, Washington. Dates for the event are July 8th through the 24th.

This is an unstructured camping and outdoor turning get-together where like minded folk can relax and share experiences. You are invited to bring your own mini lathe and come for as long as you wish between these dates. The event will be held in the North RV lot at the Kittitas Valley Event Center (Ellensburg Rodeo Grounds). The only fees are for camping – $13 per rig for power and water hookup, $8 per rig for tent for dry camping. There is a dumpsite nearby.

To make your reservations contact Julian Lee – julian.s @ Comcast.net, 360 299 2900.

Companion Event

For those turners interested in learning to carve, or improve their carving, there are classes available at Northwest Carvers Academy within the Event Center from July 10th through 15th. Information on this is available on line at www.Cascadecarvers.com and click on “Carving Academy”.

woodturning events

Turning Around America

beth ireland
Beth Ireland at the Health Learning Academy
What would you say about a person who decides to travel around the U.S. for a year and teach woodturning to anyone and everyone who was interested? Could you live out of a van which also served as your workshop? Could you sleep in said van in rest areas and driveways?

One person is doing this. Beth Ireland is a woodturner, artist and educator from New England and has been travelling the country in her modified van teaching woodturning where ever she goes. From October, 2010 to February, 2011 Beth has travelled 10,000 miles and taught woodturning to 1,500 people. She has visited public and private schools, community clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs, woodturning clubs and individuals.

On her Turning Around America website she states the goal of her project:

Empower people through the simple act of making an object in wood.

Looking at the website you will be able to see all the places she has been, pictures of the people she has met and taught and watch videos she has made.

But the real story is in her blog. Her experience living in a van, sleeping at rest areas, learning to live with less, spending lots of time alone. I found it a captivating and entertaining story of someone with a mission that is also her passion.

One of my favorite posts was from Februay 16th. She talks about how she felt like a Johnny Appleseed type character. Planting little seeds of woodturning all over the country and watching a new crop of Woodturners grow. She wrote of her experience at Safe Harbor in Florida teaching kids who were at risk who now had adults that were interested in them, how the skills they learned had already changed their lives.

Check out Beth’s website and blog and see if it doesn’t put a smile on your face.

woodturner profile

Segmented Woodturners Chapter April Summary

segmented turning titled "Buffalo"
Buffalo by Hans Finsterwalder
The Segmented Woodturners chapter of the AAW recently sent out the April club summary to the members. If you are interested in, or are actively involved in, segmented turning this chapter is a great way to acquire and share knowledge about this art.

Here are some of the highlights from the chapter summary:

  • The chapter held their annual elections last month in which 7 officers were selected from a slate of 12 candidates. Newly elected (or re-elected) officers are Harvey Crouch, Bill Kandler, Dennis Keeling, Phil Miller, Jim Rodgers, Ron Sieloff & Malcolm Tibbetts.
  • There will be a random drawing from interested chapter members for a complimentary registration to the AAW Symposium in St. Paul.
  • The website forum and gallery software is being updated to improve the user experience.
  • There are 3 new tutorials on building table saw sleds for cutting segments.
  • There are currently 698 paid members. The chapter website received 5,601 unique visitors in February and 409,517 page views.
chapter profile / segmented