Hi everyone,
Given we are within the busy holiday season, I wanted to get this challenge posted relatively early. And, I wanted the challenge to be something that most people can finish in a reasonably short single session at the lathe--of course, depending on how complicated the piece this may not be true.
So, without further ado, this month's challenge is to turn a tree. The official title of the challenge is "single" tree; what I mean, is that final photograph you submit can only be one single tree. However, that single tree can be made from many parts. It can be simple or complex, natural wood or embellished with other techniques, big or small, etc. As usual, the sky is the limit for your creativity.
Here are a few pieces for inspiration (made by Jay Hostetler, Bob Henrickson, and Andy Henderson, respectively):
Here are the challenge rules, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
Good luck, have fun, make shavings, and let the chips fall where they may!!
Given we are within the busy holiday season, I wanted to get this challenge posted relatively early. And, I wanted the challenge to be something that most people can finish in a reasonably short single session at the lathe--of course, depending on how complicated the piece this may not be true.
So, without further ado, this month's challenge is to turn a tree. The official title of the challenge is "single" tree; what I mean, is that final photograph you submit can only be one single tree. However, that single tree can be made from many parts. It can be simple or complex, natural wood or embellished with other techniques, big or small, etc. As usual, the sky is the limit for your creativity.
Here are a few pieces for inspiration (made by Jay Hostetler, Bob Henrickson, and Andy Henderson, respectively):
Here are the challenge rules, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
- Entries must be posted in this thread by 11:59 PM Coordinated Universal Time (ish) on Monday, December 29, 2025.
- Your entry must only include a single tree (groupings of trees will be disqualified).
- You can post up to two photos of your tree in this thread. Please don't crop your images tightly (meaning, leave a bit of room in the image so I can add your name later).
- Your turning can be any size, and can be embellished or natural. There are plenty of opportunities to get creative here, so feel free. Include the dimensions in your entry post.
- As always, this is a turning contest, not a "moldy oldie" photo contest, so in fairness to everybody, make sure your work is something you have made since this challenge was issued on December 4, 2025.
- You may not post any photos of your entry in this month’s challenge in any other thread or in the gallery until the voting has ended and a winner has been declared. Your are allowed to solicit information on mounting strategies though.
- Voting will take place from December 29, 2025, through 3:59 am Coordinated Universal Time on January 1, 2026.
- Solicitation of votes will result in disqualification.
Good luck, have fun, make shavings, and let the chips fall where they may!!