December Newsletter

2024 Woodturning Achievements

Dec 21, 2024

With the year winding down, I want to take a moment to look back at the past year and acknowledge the things I’m most proud of in my woodturning work.

Set of 30 bud vases in maple, oak and yew

I spent the first few months of the year working on a big order for a gift shop. It was the largest order that I have done to date and the buyers wanted me to use my creativity to make unique vases, apothecary jars and ornaments. I’m glad I took this on to prove to myself that I can do big commissions and finish them on time.

Cherry wood rolling pin with fixed handles

In the summer I started teaching workshops that cater to people with no previous experience in woodworking. Learning how to get my students comfortable with the specifics of working with the lathe and its tools has been an enjoyable challenge. People are different and the nitty gritty of connecting each individual to the physicality of the craft has been a new puzzle for me to solve several times over.

Maple and chrome drink table, proof-of-concept

This past year, I started making some larger items. With my new larger lathe, I can accommodate bigger pieces of wood. For a long time, I have wanted to try making small furniture items, so I made the components and put together a prototype for a drink table. The chrome post is left over from a light fixture install. As a prototype, it’s good enough, and I use it in my living room, so I’m happy with it. Next year, I want to make more, but will need to rethink the process.

13 1/2” diameter cherry wood platter and 10 1/2” plates

Along the lines of making larger pieces, I made a large platter to complement a set of plates. I had never made a platter this size before, and there is something nerve-racking about a thin piece of wood spinning at 800 RPM while I cut into it with a gouge. To prevent warping, I used a kiln-dried cherry board instead of air-dried. We will see how it ages! I always want to know how my pieces do over the years, and I’m happy to receive updates whether the news is good or bad.

Milk paint over maple wood snowman ornament

Lastly, for the holiday season, I made a lot more snowmen this year than I did last year. Both kids and adults seem to enjoy them. Using hard maple, oak and ash woods, I made both ornaments and boxes hearty enough to survive the many drops and falls that they may experience. All of the holiday stuff that I make is kid-proof and pet-proof. No broken glass or shattered ceramics.