As The Wood Turns August 2004

As The Wood Turns Internet Version

August 2004

CWTC Meeting 7 PM Second Tuesday of each month

Location: Woodcraft Supply Store, 1280 E. Dundee Rd, Palatine IL
847-774-1186

In this Issue
> Curls from the President
> Demonstrators Schedule
for meeting nights & weekend Master Demos
> August Meeting Attendance
> August Meeting Note’s
> August Gallery — See Gallery section of web site!

Curls From the President’s Platter
By Paul Shotola

“Creativity is not the exclusive terrain of the gifted. It is a natural potential all men share.”

This is a quote from one of India’s largest newspapers, but the source is not as important as the concept: You do not have to be a “gifted” person to be creative. Do you want to be creative, to push your current limits? I suspect so, or you wouldn’t be involved in woodturning. Let’s examine how we can be more creative, more expressive in our work.

Being creative implies that we produce something new, a fresh approach or technique. Many woodturners accomplish this, and you can too. Alan Mailland makes flowers out of wood. David Nittman makes woven baskets on the lathe. Paul Fennell came up with a new way to make an index wheel (with an infinite number of divisions) for the lathe. What separates these folks from mere mortals like me and you? In my opinion, two things: Looking at things not as they are, but as they could be; and trying again, even after a failure.

Nittman was not able to produce a “basket illusion” turning the first time he tried it. I’m certain he didn’t jump out of bed and say to himself “Hey, a woodburning tool and some beads on a vessel would make a basket effect”. He no doubt tried many techniques, and discarded all but one of them to finally create a system to bring his ideas to fruition. The point is that David had a vision in his head—a quest if you will—to make a basket on the lathe. He experimented, tried different approaches, and went down a number of blind alleys as he honed his skills and processes to be able to make the first “basket illusion” that he would finally put his name on. I’m using Nittman as an example, as he is well known to most of you. But the concept of trying a process, falling short, trying a new process, getting closer to the goal and trying again is essential in realizing your vision.

What can you do the next time you step into your shop? Envision your finished project, and then try to bring it to life. If you're a mere mortal, try again, but use your new—found knowledge and skills to get a little closer to your vision. OK, try again. Keep trying. Don’t settle for something less than you can picture in your mind. It may take more practice, more failure, and more experimentation. If you refuse to settle for merely close, your creativity will exhibit itself, and you will be a better artist, a better craftsperson and a more creative human being for it. This is truly a noble quest.

Until September, open your mind to new ideas, refuse to accept “close enough”, bring your ideas to life, and please turn safely.

Paul Shotola
Email address:

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Weekend Master Turner Demo Schedule

John Jordan — September 11-12

David Ellsworth — October 30-31

For More on Master Turners Demonstrations,
see Demonstrations Page

Meeting Demonstrators 2004

September —
Anderson, Dan & Marie
Turning Bottoms

October — Rich Bohr
3M’s Abrasives

November — Paul Pyrcik
Banksia Pod Ornament

See Fran Islin to sign up to be a demonstrator.

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November Challenge
“Naturally So”
Remember there are no rules and no limits bring your entry to the November meeting.

August Meeting Attendance

176 Paid Members

New member:
Loren Brooks, Joilet

Minutes of the July, 2004 CWT Meeting
by Paul Cavanagh

President Paul Shotola opened the meeting at 7 pm and explained the usual house and safety rules.

The next guest demonstrator will be John Jordon on Sept 11 and 12. There will also be a hands-on session on Sept 13; anyone interested contact Binh Pho.

The CWT Picnic will be held on Sept 18 at Rader’s Ranch. Starting time is 10 am. Bring a dish to share your favorite recipe. Also bring some turning tools to make some curls.

John Crissman announced that he made some copies of a Wood magazine article that covered segmented bowl turning for beginners and a review of scroll chucks.

Paul Shotola picked up (literally) a used computer and gave it to the library.

Also, the library has some new tools: A wood-burning set and an Arbotech wood carver.

Craft Supplies monthly discount this month is on Videos and DVDs.

Anyone who is interested in doing a demonstration of any aspect of woodturning or related areas, such as carving, finishing, decorating, etc., please contact VP Fran Iselin. No experience necessary.

Wayne’s Treasury report showed approximately $500 in the checking account.

Andy Kuby reported that we have 177 paid members and there were 5 additional visitors this week. Find their names and pictures in other places in this newsletter.

Guest demonstrator coordinator Binh Pho reported the committed turners for 2005: Curt Theobald and Ray Key. I’m looking forward to next year already!

The raffle this week was conducted by Andy Kuby; good wood, Rockler gift certificates, and some finish. And a special drawing for a Steve Sinner masterpiece goblet—won by Wayne Carlson!

The Club Challenge Coordinator, Darrell Rader, announced the November challenge: “Naturally So”. There are no rules so get those creative juices flowing and submit a piece to be judged by your peers. Fist prize is $30; second is $20; third is $10.

The gallery was then reviewed by turning-meister Steve Sinner. We all learned something from his insights.

Steve also has a dust collection system for sale. Price is $2300.
Contact Steve for details.

The demonstration was performed by John Eslinger. He showed the use of the Jamison hollowing system and the techniques for hollowing any vessel. There was a lot of interest and we had to cut him off so we got out before we got locked in. Thanks, John.

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Chicago Woodturners 2004
A Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners
Last Updated September 8, 2004