Woodturning as a useful hobby that contributes to the community

[John Snow]

This year I started real woodturning, despite having a midi lathe for years. I'm glad I bought a good one (Jet 1221VS) because I haven't had to deal with a bad tool when trying to learn bowl-turning. My efforts are paying off more than I ever expected. My bowls are very simple, of modest wood that I had laying around, but holy cow! what great responses I get when people see them. Today I donated a dozen or so to a charity supporting Charcot Marie Tooth disease, and they raised over $200! So many people complimented me on them; I was embarrassed.

Currently, I don't have much interest in making the sorts of complicated art pieces that grace the photo galleries, but the feedback I'm getting will keep me going and trying to improve and enlarge my skill set. Also, thanks to all of you forum posters for giving such good advice and opinions without resorting to flaming and thread hijacking. You all keep to the point and leave the BS out.

 

[Dave Fritz]

John, well said. I think you may represent a large number of those on this website.

 

[Tim Tucker]

John -
Best of luck to you in your continuing journey. But, I don't believe luck has as much to do with it- as does perseverance and a desire to learn. Clearly - you have that. It takes all of us make a community work as well as this forum does. Even with our difference in style and taste or what we like to do on a lathe...there is plenty of room for feeling accepted and to contribute to the group. I hope you feel comfortable with that and will continue to learn and turn in the direction that your imagination takes you.

 

[robo hippy]

I have always preferred the basic bowl shape, with no coloring or little detail. A potter friend once said, and I could tell he was trying to be polite, "all of your bowls are so utilitarian". I said "yup!" If they look too pretty, they don't get used, and I want mine to be used daily....

robo hippy

 

[Richard Coers]

Wig stands donated to Susan G. Komen are another excellent venture to support.

 

[Kalia Kliban]

Simple, well-made functional bowls are a joy to use and live with. It always makes me happy to see one of my bowls that's been getting heavily used.

 

[john lucas]

Our club in Crossville donates Wig stands and Beads of Courage boxes. We also sell Christmas ornaments to raise money for our local charities. Last year we sold $13,000 worth of ornaments. The guys all got carried away and turned 900 ornaments. Not bad for a club of 35 people.

 

[Bob Brown]

We also sell Christmas ornaments to raise money for our local charities. Last year we sold $13,000 worth of ornaments. The guys all got carried away and turned 900 ornaments. Not bad for a club of 35 people.

Sure wouldn't get an average of $145.00 per ornament in Kansas.

 

[David Anliker]

We also sell Christmas ornaments to raise money for our local charities. Last year we sold $13,000 worth of ornaments. The guys all got carried away and turned 900 ornaments. Not bad for a club of 35 people.

Sure wouldn't get an average of $145.00 per ornament in Kansas.

$13,000 / 900 = $14.44

 

[john lucas]

we sell all price ranges. I make some really simple ones we sell for $5. they go up to $35 but not too many at that price range. The $35 ones should sell for $50 or $60 in a real market.