Woodturner's Resource

I am going to try tell you a bit about myself and share how I got started in woodworking. First of all, I have been retired for about 6 yrs. I am a self taught woodworker and turner. The only turning class I have taken was a total flop, but we won't go there. I have been doing different types of woodworking for about 20 plus years. I did furniture restoration for several years,and have made some specialty pieces when requested,. When I was working 18 hrs a day then trying to squeeze woodworking in with only a little sleep every now and then, I found I had to cut back. That's when I got involved in making and designing, one of a kind Jewelry boxes ,hence the name boxxmaker came to be. I found I still wanted to do more, so I designed and made custom ordered handgun display boxes, plus whatever else I could come up with. Finally, I pretty much settled down to crafting keepsake and jewelry boxes. I have had an interest in turning for about ten years,but due to circumstances beyond my control, I didn't get that opportunity until about three years ago. Then after I received a nice gift certificate, I bought my first lathe. It was a Ricon mini,which I still have and I love it. I also bought a little after market lathe, but I was wanting to go bigger. About two years ago I stepped up to a Nova 1624-44 and I love it. I sell most of my work at the one and only craft show each year at a craft show at WCU,in NC, which has just about paid for most of my tools. Most of my turning is done during the summer months when I am in NC, where I have a larger shop. I hope this year, to get into pen making on my Ricon when I am down in FL. I still make my jewelry boxes,and keepsake boxes, and I make post office banks when time allows. My biggest fault is that I seem to push myself just a tad too much. Why you may ask? I just love the challenge and nothing pleases me more than to sit back and admire my finished work when I complete a piece and I can say, "I did it". It brings me great satisfaction. Hopefully I will get a web site up an running this year. In the meantime, I am always willing to help out any one who may want help. If you are interested in seeing more of my work, you can always email me at boxxmaker1@aol.com