September Challenge--Platter with a decorated rim

[Dean Center]

This challenge closed before I could make a comment. (I don't have my poop in a group well enough to have an entry)

There have been a robust submission of spectacular pieces. So many terrific choices that it is going to be extremely hard to select a favorite.

If you haven't payed attention to this forum feature in the past, you REALLY should check it out this time.

Well Done! Everyone.

(PS "Poop in a Group" may be an expression unique to Montana. Think 'ducks in a row' where elk are more common than waterfowl)

 

[Brian Gustin]

(PS "Poop in a Group" may be an expression unique to Montana. Think 'ducks in a row' where elk are more common than waterfowl)

Well, out here in the P.A. Redneck country (Hillbillies, the lot of us!) We'd be a little more succinct - Calling it "got meh sh** Together"

But I agree - ton of gorgeous entries, and a challenge that truly just about anybody could achieve on any basic lathe with basic tools and skills and still be at least competitive.

I was tempted to try and create my own entry, but last month was just plain nuts with all the markets and artisan shows and craft fairs we had booked, I was hard pressed to even maintain my inventory of "pocket buys" items (like spin tops, coffee scoops, ornaments, gnomes, cutting boards, etc - all of which I almost always had to make another batch every week), So, I had to pass on this one.. hopefully there'll be more along the same vein.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Emiliano and I are thinking about the challenge for October, but we would like suggestions from forum members that would have wide appeal to all skill levels.

 

[Bernie Hrytzak]

1.A Halloween theme
2. Fall theme since fall started last week

 

[Vincent Vogel]

All the entries are very nice and well designed. All I can suggest is something like a simple bowl. Anything I would make wouldn't compete with what was entered for this month.

 

[Brian Gustin]

How about an inside-out skill builder challenge , so 4 square sticks of wood and newspaper joint glue-ups (or whichever preference) could be fairly easy for most any turner with basic skills and tools to turn a halloween theme? (most probably a pumpkin, is all I can think of in round shapes LOL!) hard part to the challenge is getting things perfectly squared up and perfectly centered for glue-up and outside turning... just a slight variation in any one joint, and the error can be magnified a huge amount in the finished piece... no need for carving or other non-lathe skills (other than maybe painting/dyeing/ artistic flair)

 

[Dave Landers]

Doesn't hit all skill levels by itself, but might level things out over the course of several months: Have a new-turner month: anything by someone who has been turning less than a year.

 

[Donna Banfield]

Doesn't hit all skill levels by itself, but might level things out over the course of several months: Have a new-turner month: anything by someone who has been turning less than a year.

I like this idea. It relies on the honesty of the Woodturners submitting work, but it gives a chance for all those turners who look at the quality and skill level of previous competitions who say to themselves, “I can’t compete with those turners”

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I like @Dave Landers and @Donna Banfield idea. We might be onto something here

 

[hockenbery]

Doesn't hit all skill levels by itself, but might level things out over the course of several months: Have a new-turner month: anything by someone who has been turning less than a year.

I like having something restricted to novice.
A time limit may be the best we can do.

I have judged a competition with novice, intermediate, expert categories. They had some guidelines and if you won a ribbon at any level you moved up the next year.

There are lots turners who never get past beginner even with 10 years plus. Some people leave their first class at the intermediate level.

Maybe - extra work for @Bill Boehme - we can do a monthly with two experience categories
1. Novice less than xx. months turning
2. All others

 

[Dean Center]

There are lots turners who never get past beginner even with 10 years plus. Some people leave their first class at the intermediate level.

I had this thought, too. There have been some folks who have been turning for less than 2 years and the work they have posted here has looked like a seasoned pro. Then there are those like Al mentions.

Is there a satisfactory way for people to self-designate? Maybe at the beginning of a "year" or other time period. Would it help to do so before they've heard what the challenges will be?

 

[Dave Landers]

I had this thought, too. There have been some folks who have been turning for less than 2 years and the work they have posted here has looked like a seasoned pro. Then there are those like Al mentions.

Is there a satisfactory way for people to self-designate? Maybe at the beginning of a "year" or other time period. Would it help to do so before they've heard what the challenges will be?

Maybe it doesn't matter - don't over-think it. The monthly challenges are for fun.
To my way of thinking, just doing something that explicitly invites "novices" or "new" turners to participate is a Good Thing™. I don't think it really matters how it's defined or worded etc.

 

[Dean Center]

Maybe it doesn't matter - don't over-think it. The monthly challenges are for fun.
To my way of thinking, just doing something that explicitly invites "novices" or "new" turners to participate is a Good Thing™. I don't think it really matters how it's defined or worded etc.

Over think it? Moi? Our motto: "there is no problem so simple that it cannot be made more complicated."

 

[Kirk Amidon]

Not sure this is feasible, nor a good idea. In another hobby, one contest features two classes, beginner and advanced. The difference being if you have previously won, you are in the advanced division. No idea if there is any record of previous monthly winners here, but possibly could be a way to split into a couple versions and get more entries?