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Demonstrations

Embellishment — Discovering Your Patterns

Melissa Engler

Personalize your work with embellishment that is all your own. Learn techniques for translating what you are inspired by into simplified, repeatable patterns. We will cover design and proportion, template-making, pyrography, carving, and color.

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Introduction to Turning Paper

Kailee Bosch

Interested in turning other materials besides wood? In this presentation Kailee will discuss her experience with turning paper, sharing the information she has gathered and the tips and tricks that helped her find success in turning this alternative material. Presentation includes slides, sample projects & time plenty of time for questions.

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Sunburst Bowl

Trent Bosch

In this session I turn a platter from green wood, from start to finish.  I will then take that platter and carve a sunburst pattern into the rim.  Along the way we will discuss drying techniques, getting the cleanest cut possible to minimize sanding, how to develop new ideas and more.

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Revelations in Hollowing

Trent Bosch

Over the past 25 years I have been pursuing the art of the hollow form -throughout this time I have used and developed some very unique techniques and equipment. in this demo I will go through all the techniques that in the creation of a hollow form with an emphasis on the latest technologies I have developed for hollowing making this much more than just a hollow form demo.

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Ammonite Bowl

Graeme Priddle

This demonstration will cover the design and influences behind these bowls as well as wood selection, preparation and drying. Then go on to basic bowl turning techniques, tool selection, sharpening and safety. Low relief carving and surface embellishment with rotary tools and wood burners, and coloring with acrylic paint, milk paint and paste wax application.

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Hollow Forms for Everyone

Trent Bosch

This is a great demo for people that are interested in hollowing, whether you are just getting started or have been hollowing for many years. Trent will share valuable techniques that he has learned throughout the years using just his basic hollowing tools, you will learn about form, steps of hollowing, how to check wall thickness with simple tools, and much much more.

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Vessels & Surfaces

Trent Bosch

In this demo participants will not only learn all the techniques that I go through in the creation of a hollow form but ways to make the surface outstanding! From textures to colors to sandblasting and beyond – making this much more than just a hollow form demo.

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Vessels of the South Pacific

Graeme Priddle

This demonstration will cover the design and influences behind these bowls as well as wood selection, preparation and drying. Then go on to basic bowl turning techniques, tool selectioThis demonstration will present a unique approach to carving and embellishment on turned hollow vessels. You’ll learn about Graeme’s designs and influences from his life growing up in New Zealand. He will also cover wood selection, tool selection and sharpening, basic turning/hollowing techniques and safety. Rotary/hand carving techniques. Surface embellishment, woodburning, inlaying and use of multi-media elements. Colouring and finishing techniques.n, sharpening and safety. Low relief carving and surface embellishment with rotary tools and wood burners, and coloring with acrylic paint, milk paint and paste wax application.

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Mountain Bowls

Trent Bosch

In this session I turn a platter from green wood, from start to finish. I will then take that platter and carve a sunburst pattern into the rim. Along the way we will discuss drying techniques and getting the cleanest cut. In this demo I expand upon the decorative utility bowl demo and show a technique that I used to expand the possibilities of a utility piece becoming more decorative. Drawing inspiration from my environment (I live in Colorado and the mountains are very prominent) I came up with this interpretation. We go through the making of the bowl, beading the bowl, laying out and carving the mountain ranges. Also touching on wood prep, tool sharpening, finishing and a myriad of other possibilities.

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Creative Projects for Kids (and Grandkids)

Kailee Bosch

 Do you want to introduce your kids (or grandkids) to turning? While demonstrating several projects that have been designed specifically for kids, Kailee will talk about some of the key things she has learned while teaching youth. From cupcake boxes, to yo-yo’s and brushes, these projects allow for both creativity and independence, giving kids a positive first experience with the lathe.

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Hand-Chasing Threads in Corian for Use in Containers

Thomas Irven

I would like to demonstrate how I hand chase threads in Corian for use in my containers. Rings of Corian are threaded and glued on to the tennon and the mortise to make threaded boxes.
I will demonstrate hand chasing the male and female threaded rings and the attachment to the wooden body and lid. I will go through each of the steps from the beginning through to the completed box. If there is enough time I will demonstrate how I use the Escoulen Chuck to make the eccentric finials that are on many of my containers.

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“Surface, Surface” Part 1

Graeme Priddle & Melissa Engler

This session will present a myriad of embellishment possibilities with micro-rotary carvers, woodburners and other carving tools. This demonstration will cover design and influences; how we personalize our work; tool selection, sharpening and safety; and wood selection.

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“Surface, Surface!” Part 2

Graeme Priddle & Melissa Engler

This session will build on the first session and cover  rotary/hand carving and texturing techniques as well as woodburning, colouring and finishing.

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Segmented Wood High-End Pen Making

Steven Landau

During this demonstration, I will go over the geometry and mechanics of how to create a unique segmented pen blank, from picking the right wood to the cutting, glue-up, re-cutting, drilling, tube insertion, and cleanup. I will then go over how to turn this complex, yet delicate pen blank without tearing it apart. Once we finish turning the pen, we will discuss various finishes and their pros/cons, and then we will assemble the completed components using a high-end pen kit. 

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Multi-Axis Flower Disc

Dennis Belcher

There are several key themes woven into the presentation.
• Woodturning is a journey, not just making a thing.
• The journey starts with a simple horizontal disc then progresses to a vertical disc that becomes a canvas for a multitude of coloring, texturing, and carving techniques.
• Breaking the pattern of jumping from one form to the next. Doing them all, but not mastering any of them.
• The importance of working out the sequence of operations before you start.
• And oh yes, the bulk of the time is spent actually making a functional multi-axis, vertical flower disc. With the disc completed, I walk the audience through a variety of textures, coloring techniques, and carvings that can be used to embellish the basic form. The use of water-based dye will be shown.

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When Good Wood Cracks

Dennis Belcher

It's a curse and an opportunity when wood cracks. The demonstration presents a series of techniques that take the curse of a crack and turn it into an artistic opportunity. 
There are two key themes in the demonstration. The first theme is to demonstrate a safe way to use each technique. The second is unleashing the creativity of each turner to resolve cracks in their own unique way.
Techniques will include: splines, lacing, staples, cutting it out, brass plating, roping it up, artistic means, dutchmen and butterflies. This demo flows from an article by Dennis in American Woodturner in which he surveyed techniques used by leading woodturners to creatively "fix" flaws.

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Layered (Laminated) High-End Pen Making

Steven Landau

During this demonstration, I will go over the mechanics of how to create a unique layered and laminated pen blank, from picking the right materials to the assembly, glue-up, compression pressing, re-cutting, drilling, tube insertion, and cleanup. I will then go over how to turn this layered and laminated pen blank to maximize the layered angles for the most dramatic effect. Once we finish turning the pen, we will discuss various finishes and their pros/cons, and then we will assemble the completed components using a high-end pen kit. 

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​Multi-Center Wall Piece

Nick Agar

Turning out-of-balance wall art is great fun need not be intimidating. Join Nick while he turns and moves out of center a square or circular wall piece. He will explore unusual texture techniques, coloring and surface effects .
The demonstration will discuss tool choice and uses, work holding, material choice, and inspirations for design. He will also discuss choosing the best gouge profile and how it works for best results as well as work safety and tool sharpening.

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Getting the Most from Your Fingernail-Profiled Bowl Gouge

Nick Agar

Join me as we dive into the awesome potentials of the fingernail grind. We will turn a bowl and explore shear cuts, pull cuts, and bevel-rubbing push cuts. The presentation will also cover sharpening and problem solving as well as look at flute shapes available, and also speak about bevel angles. Bowl hollowing will be demonstrated  in detailed steps. How to achieve an undercut rim. He will also discuss various uses on spindle work .

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Before the Wood Spins

Dennis Belcher

Turning is about more than just cutting wood from a whirling blank, but demonstrations are never long enough to teach turners how to maintain their lathe, how to sharpen their tools, and safe drilling techniques. The goal is to provide core knowledge on these topics.
Each of these three core topics need to be mastered to achieve the greatest joy in woodturning. 
Tuning your Lathe
The demonstration will address each component of a lathe and show how how they should be maintained for smooth running lathe.

Sharpening Tools

Selecting the right tool and sharpening it appropriately improves results and makes turning a joy instead of a labor.
A Primer for Drilling on the Lathe
Drilling on the lathe is a basic operation that is ignored in woodturning training. 

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Airbrushing Your Work

Nick Agar

Air brushing is becoming increasingly popular in woodwork.

Join this relaxed and fun class and surprise yourself that with good direction and very little practice amazing results can be achieved. Work such as table mats, mirrors, picture frames or turned items such as bowls platters and vases are all great topics to turn and enhance with use of an airbrush. You will learn airbrush maintenance and how an airbrush works. We will be using wood dye, stencils and masking techniques along with many tips and tricks on handling and safe practice.

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Introduction to Basket Illusion

Michael Earley

In this demonstration, Michael will share how to get started with basket illusion from a beginner’s point of view by demonstrating the process of turning a basket illusion plate. The session will cover design and form selection, how to create your own unique patterns, optimal wood species, tool selection, turning techniques, pyrography, wood dyeing and finishing. Attendees will leave with the foundational knowledge needed to dive into or advance their journey into the endless possibilities of Basket Illusion.

Embellishing with Basket Illusion

Michael Earley

Michael will share how to elevate a bland piece of wood through using basket illusion as an embellishment. From tool handles to small bowls, basket illusion as an embellishment turns a bland piece of wood into a conversation piece. Michael will explain tool selection, beading technique, pattern development, pyrography techniques and color application. A great demonstration for those that want to dip their toes into the world of basket illusion.

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Ebony Goblet with Elaborate Stem

Jack Reyome

This elaborate goblet features a holly stem insert and four helix down the stem. In this fascinating demo, see how he makes goblets in three pieces: the cup or bowl, the stem, and the base. He will show how to add an insert in the stem. Finally, learn how to create the intricate multi-helix stems.

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Hollowing 101

Sam McDowell

Sam McDowell will be demonstrating Hollowing 101. In this in-depth demonstration he will discuss and demonstrate how to dependably succeed in hollow form turning. 
He will be discussing tehcniques used in three different hollow forms:

  • An open top deep vessel;

  • A closed top traditional vase and

  • A hollowed from the bottom very narrow neck bottle.

Turning Green Wood

Sam McDowell

Sam specializes in working with green, or wet, wood. His demonstration will cover selecting the piece to be turned, designing the best use of that piece, special considerations for turning green wood, sharpening techniques and other details useful to new and experienced turners. He will also discuss techniques to dry the turned piece and how to finish it in the best manner.

Full-Size Cowboy Hat or Outback Hat

Jerry Measimer

Creating a wearable object of art — a hat — is consider by many to be the pinnacle of the turner's art. Master hat turner Jerry Measimer will turn either a cowboy hat or outback hat . . . audience choice. Starting with 80 pounds of green wood, when completed the hat will weigh approximately 12 ounces and be 1/8-inch thick. Participants will gain an understanding of good tool control, turning green wood, bending the wood, and shining a light to achieve very thin walls.

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Hummingbird Houses with Coloring

Jerry Measimer

Turned wooden birdhouses are popular items for woodturners of all skill levels. Customize your wood hummingbird house with woodburning and airbrushing. During the presentation Jerry will demonstrate how to turn a hummingbird house then decorate it by pyrography and airbrushing. Learn both how to turn this clever item and how to add color to your turnings to take them to a new level.

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Routing on the Lathe

John Lucas

In this demo, the presenter will be showing many options for using a router to add details and inlays to your turnings. He will show how he makes a carriage and platen to guide the router.  He will discuss cutting beads on bowls  and show how to cut slots and fill them with wooden inlays or other materials. He will also discuss ways of carving with the router.  Leave this demonstration with lots of other techniques to give you a palette to take the router in whatever direction you want.

Connections: Integrating Turning with Alternate Materials

Kailee Bosch

Looking to expand your material library, while still incorporating turned objects? In this demo Kailee will discuss ways she has found to integrate various materials into her turned pieces. From copper piping, to paper, custom fabricated parts, fiber and even plastic, she will share techniques for successfully adding material components. 

Surface Design I

John Lucas

In this demo John will discuss adding texture to your turnings using a variety of tools.  Some techniques are very simple and inexpensive; others require specialized tools and he will discuss them all.  He will show some very easy and fun techniques that anyone can do with minimal skill and expense. If time permits he  will also demonstrate carving and texturing with pyrography.

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Surface Design II

John Lucas

In this demo the presenter will show several of the ways he uses iridescent paints to enhance his turnings. He will show cloud painting and other fun techniques, then  will demonstrate how he does faux inlays and faux Indian beadwork. He hopes attendees will start with these lessons — he thinks he's only touched the beginning of possibilities with this medium — and explore more techniques on your own.

Tea Light Lantern Ornaments

John Lucas

This demonstration will be how John makes his lantern tea lights. He will show several options for decorating the lanterns.  This is a simple project that anyone can find success with at any skill level.

Turning a Hand Mirror with Texture

John Lucas

Handled mirrors are basically a platter and a spindle.  The body of the mirror becomes a pallet for all sorts of carving, painting and texturing technqiues.  The presenter will be teaching skills with tools you use every day:  how to cut faster; how to cut cleaner to reduce sanding time; new ways to use tools like the parting tool and spindle roughing gouge; new ways to turn beads on platters.  He also will be teaching skew usage on the handle, several ways to turn beads, and how to reduce chatter on long thin spindles.   He will do a short sharpening demo on sharpening techniques.

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