A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Once again another month has flown by.  I would like to welcome all new members to the SPW.  We have many activities and numerous members willing to help. 

I recently took a week long woodturning course at Campbell Folk School, where Chris Ramsey taught thin wall vessels, cowboy, and outback hats.  Chris took three students at a time and helped each one turn a hat.  It was a full day of turning.  Chris's skill of turning 1/8th of an inch is amazing to watch.  Chris taught us by putting a light bulb behind the brim of the hat, using it as a gauge-the brighter the light, the thinner you get.  I was very nervous turning this thin.  I just completed my sixth hat today, and I turned the top of the hat a little too thin.  I started seeing the light bulb.  Oh well, I guess it's back to the drawing board.  One thing I have always stressed to myself, is you don't learn over night.  I enjoy the process of learning and achieving.  As I've told my son and daughter, you suck it up and move on.  It's a piece of wood!  Have a great time turning.  I won’t make the next meeting . . . a special 30th anniversary, but see all in March.  March will be an active month.

Jerry

FEBRUARY 17TH TURNER IS JIM MILES – Segmented Construction

Jim Miles comes from a line of four generations of woodworkers from the mountains of North Carolina. Initially learning the craft from his father, he has since gone on to craft wood in almost any imaginable design, including furniture, buildings, boat-docks, woodcrafts and woodturning. All are a part of his thirty-year pursuit of the art of woodworking.

Miles enjoys the challenge of making creations of small, precisely cut, individual pieces of wood that are assembled into intricate designs in bowls and vases. One work may contain hundreds of segments.

Discarded natural treasures are given new life in the form of classical bowls, vases, and as timeless objects of art. Almost each piece of wood is obtained from a local source and comes with a story about its origin.

Source: http://www.woodenstonegallery.com/artists/JMW.html

Thank you Barry

One of our own . . .  a great demonstration full of insights and application ‘how to’ provided by Barry at the January meeting.

To view a gallery of photos of Barry plus the instant gallery  photos from January’s meeting go to our web site the select the Galleries TAB then click on the SPW Club Activities Gallery item then click on the January 2009 Meeting block.

Nice Job Tony with the web presentation!

SPECIAL TURNING RAFFLE – JANUARY 2009

Many years ago, I heard Rudy Osolnik, the grand master of woodturning, say that he had "never met a man [woman] who enjoyed working with wood, who was not a fine fellow." It must be something about the patience and humility that working with wood requires. January’s Special Raffle Turner, Dwight Hartsell is such a man. Patience and skill were at hand in creating this multi-axis turning from flawless maple. The three bowls featured in the piece are perfectly matched, under a clear satin finish. I didn't learn if the piece is utilitarian, however the "club" design might give it away.

Thank you Dwight and congratulations to lucky member, Russell Williamson.

Charles

Photos by Tony Pridmore

Contributing turners for 2009