Woodturner's Resource

I grew up in a small town (600 people) named Fairfax in Northwest Missouri. I now live in St. Louis with my husband and a collection of cats. I grew up around crafts, particularly on the fiber arts side of craft. I learned sewing, knitting, and crocheting from my Mother, Grandmother and even Great-grandmother. That background led me to weaving and spinning, which I’ve been doing for about 5 years.
I bet you’re wondering what this has to do with wood turning? Well, last October, my husband got an offer for a discount at the Craft Alliance since he works in the same neighborhood as one of their gallery/classroom sites. We thought it would be fun to take a class together, and though I hoped he might show some interest in silk dyeing, we eventually agreed that woodturning was interesting to us both, so we signed up for a class. I was thinking I’d learn to make a spindle and then be done with it. I had no idea how strong the vortex is!
I showed up for class the first day with a scoop-neck top on. Wow, was I in for a surprise J. They should publish a dress code for poor unaware folks like me! Our teacher was very inspiring, and over the course of the class, we made a mushroom, a couple candlesticks, and two bowls. He kept giving us teasers to come back for another course, so we signed up for one in January, and then another in April. Through classes, I’ve been challenged to try many techniques, including a lot of off-center work, and my first hollow forms. I’m hoping to take another class this fall to keep extending my abilities. I know we’re really lucky to have such a school nearby, so I don’t want to waste the opportunities.
Since I work as a consultant for a software company, I do a lot of traveling to client sites. This limits my turning and wood acquisition activities to the weekends, but it gives my husband a chance to get to the lathe when I’m gone. We’re members of the AAW and we go to local chapter meetings of the Show-Me Woodturner's. We’re also restoring a 1880s Victorian house, so there’s always something to keep us busy!

Box Elder Box

One of a series of small boxes I’ve made as I explore variations on proportion and shape in the box. I found this one particularly pleasing.

Burl Box

A mystery burl box that other woodturner's appreciate more than the average person, since there’s no obvious way to hold the lid on the lathe for hollowing.

Cherry Bowl

This was my first “real” bowl, the final project from my first 6 week course at the Craft Alliance. It may be a little bottom-heavy, but I still love it.

Cherry Triangle Box

My teacher is known for making triangle shaped boxes, so this was one I made following his techniques.

Hexagon Bowl – Spalted Hackberry

I like to call this one a “nut” bowl since it’s the shape of a nut and about the right size to hold nuts.

Magnolia Box

Based on one of the box shapes in Mark Baker’s Woodturning Projects book. This book is a great learning tool!

Mesquite Triangle Bowl

This was my first attempt at a triangular off-center turning. It took a lot of concentration with my compass, and a pretty scary first cut, but I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Mulberry Natural Edge Bowl

This is my first natural edge bowl. The bark did not stay on the wood, but I still got the shape and color/texture changes of the natural edge.

Pagoda Box – Spalted Hackberry

I made this box based on Ray Key’s pagoda boxes. My teacher brought one of Ray’s boxes to class so I could see his amazing craftsmanship. I’m nowhere near that, but it gives me something to work toward. His lids fit so perfectly!

Shallow Maple Bowl

One of my most successful bowl shapes. I’m learning how difficult, but important it is to create smooth and flowing curves.