I have turned 400+ bowls with a focus on locally sourced woods and simple designs that showcases the uniqueness of the wood on both sides of the bowl.

Utilizing 3 simple feet that flow out of the bottom to both elevate the form and provide lightness to the shape. 3 feet also form a stable base to rest on.

I’ll show the steps and tools I use to make bowls that highlight the best characteristics of each piece of wood. I will illustrate where to locate the feet and explain why they need to go there on both natural edge and flat rim pieces.

Art has been integral to Roberto Ferrer from early childhood in Mexico where, ever-present art and craft infused into his life and soul. Early expression of art came through drawing and painting. Sometimes, schoolteachers would need to redirect his attention away from a sketch and back to the class assignment. His initial exposure to woodworking was in his cousin’s furniture shop where he had fun just being there and on occasion, he would have an opportunity to use a saw or a plane. His initial wood projects were a simple table and bookcase.

Additional examples of her work may be found on Instagram (@icosa_woodworks), as well as in the fabulous article, Immersed in Community: Elizabeth Weber’s Creative Journey written by Elizabeth’s friend and fellow member of the Seattle Woodturners, Randi Aiken in the February volume of American Woodturner. You can read highlights from Randi’s article in this month’s newsletter.

My first lathe was a ShopSmith. I set it up and used a very awkward chuck to make a lighthouse. It was so fun to see the thing shape and develop as the lathe spun around. I was hooked. On a trip to Sumner Woodworking, I learned about our club. After the first meeting, I knew that I was at a place where my skills could be developed and enhanced. The Sawdust Sessions are fantastic!

Over the years I have made lighthouses, hollow forms, bottle stoppers, etc. Two lathes later and I don’t know how much money I have spent; I have settled on making mainly bowls. Each piece of wood presents its own challenges and opportunities as I create a variety of sized and styled pieces.

Resins entered my shop a few years ago. I started filling gaps and cracks and now play with other ways to add color and features to my works.

My demonstration will talk about types of resins, adding in color and solids, as well as how I bring the bowl rim to life. It will basically be a show and tell session with time for many questions.

Let’s learn together.

Our current Store Sales guy and past SPSW President, John Howard, will demonstrate how to turn a bowl with a lateral wing extending away from the body of the bowl.

As an artist, I aim to create clean-lined forms with minimal distraction. I use grain, color, and texture to invite an intimate conversation with my work. I enjoy working within self-prescribed constraints, focusing my exploration to develop philosophical concepts into series. Currently, my work represents curiosities relating to water, energy, and the human spirit.

The real turning point was Eric giving me a rough turned Madrone burl bowl. That was so exciting to turn. Dave Schweitzer noticed my excitement and asked me to come and see him. He had no idea what he was in for. After a long day at Dave’s he finally got rid of me after six in the evening. This began a marathon of turning wet wood and learning and practicing the techniques that had been shown. Two hundred rough turned bowls later there were signs of hope in my finished bowls.

Back to Dave’s and now hollow forms started popping up at home. A day with Roy Lane helped that experience as well. So much to learn and so little time, with lots of practice happiness ensued. Urns, baby rattles and vases appeared, some with dyed and some natural finishes.

The many demonstrators at our club and others continued to teach techniques that were new to me. With practice these new methods became easier to use and led me to produce better results.

– Dan Stromstead

In addition to general turning, Ken has always enjoyed finding ways to displays spheres. A few years ago, he took on the challenge of developing a method to make a sphere float in air. This led to him writing an article for the August 2022 edition of American Woodturner titled Levitating Spheres. Ken’s demonstration will show how he uses electromagnets and dipole magnets embedded in his turnings to make a sphere float in air. Due to time constraints, he won’t actually turn a sphere but, instead, will focus mostly on the steps he takes to prepare a sphere blank, dividing it in two and embedding a magnet in what will become the bottom of a sphere. He will discuss making the base that holds the electromagnet but, in less detail as it requires only basic woodturning skills.

NOTE: GLENN’S DEMO WILL BE APRIL 1 AT 8:30 AM!

From Glenn’s website:

I’ve been turning wood since 1990. Starting as a production turner I worked to produce both classic-functional and one-off artistic pieces for homes and collections. Over the years I have been fortunate to learn from some of the most respected masters of my craft and I’m privileged to be able to pass that knowledge on.

At my Woodturning Study Centre in Co. Carlow, Ireland I teach all levels of ability in group classes and one-to-one tuition. Travelling the world for demonstrations and classes in woodturning, you can also watch me turn in your own workshop with my ‘Mastering Woodturning’ series of DVDs and downloadable videos. My website can be used to book classes, buy woodturning tools and DVDs, or purchases of my bowls. Send me your email and I will add you to my newsy ezine and we will keep in touch!