Looking to chisel out some time to explore a new hobby? Wanting to branch out and meet others? Then stop pining and check out woodturning – a pastime that enthusiasts say offers camaraderie, creativity and craftsmanship.
Woodturning is the process of using a wood lathe with hand-held tools to fashion wooden pieces or blocks into forms and shapes. And opportunities abound in the state for those interested in the craft, including classes and demonstrations offered by woodturners’ associations in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas.
Bill Adams got into woodturning about ten years ago, he says.
“I needed something to do as a hobby when I retired,” he mentions. So, he bought a lathe and set about to learn more about turning. “I was absolutely hooked. I fell in love with it.”
He fondly remembers the small bowl he made as his first piece. Since then, he’s created a vast array of items, including vases, bowls, a replica of a hot air balloon and Christmas ornaments. Once, his grandson found a stick and asked him to create something with it; Adams turned it into a pen for him. To that end, Adams mentions that he’s amazed by the possibilities that can come from a block of wood and a knowledge of the craft.
“Wood comes in all different sizes and shapes and origins,” he says, “and you never know what beauty is in a piece of wood.”
Adams is also the president of the Northeastern Oklahoma Woodturners Association in Tulsa. The association offers introductory classes, meetings, seminars, clinics, shows and exhibits. One of the aspects Adams enjoys most about the association is the friendships that he’s gained and the skills and tips shared among members.
Jim Oliver, president of the Central Oklahoma Woodturners Association, shares the sentiment about the camaraderie among those interested in the craft.
“We are there for helping people with their woodturning,” he says. The association hosts monthly meetings with woodturning demonstrations and discussions and offers classes at the association’s shop in Oklahoma City.
Oliver, who has been a woodturner for about 14 years, says he’s always enjoyed working with tools. He also likes the creativity that comes from fashioning a block of wood into bowls, vessels and other usable items.
“It’s very rewarding to see something finished,” he says.
It’s also a hobby that continues to captivate him: “There’s so many different things to learn about it,” he says.
Ursula Faus takes classes with instructors from the Central Oklahoma Woodturners Association. She started instruction last fall and has made items including a bud vase, bowls, Christmas ornaments and a peppermill.
Faus, of Norman, mentions she likes learning new hobbies and has some past experience with woodworking, including carving and creating kids’ toys with a scroll saw. Faus looks forward to the classes, projects and the one-on-one mentoring and finds the sessions “truly a welcoming environment and excellent learning situation.” She also appreciates the artistry with the craft and “watching how a block of wood becomes something” and the color and texture that can emerge.
Faus says there’s also the point of pride with a finished product, “and being able to say, ‘I made that.’”
Getting Into Woodturning
Want to learn more about woodturning? Check out the American Association of Woodturners website at woodturner.org for more information about chapters in Oklahoma.
