Wood Always Has a Story to Tell

Although I have, and probably will continue to buy wood from time to time in order to obtain wood that meets a certain need I have at that particular point in time, I cut and dry about 95% of the wood I use in my turnings. Not only does processing my own wood keep my outside expenses lower than it otherwise would be, this also allows me absolute control over quality and character of wood I have to work with. More importantly, when working with a piece of wood that I've gathered, dried, and eventually turned, my end results have a history, and with this history a story can be told about the origin of each and every box, bowl, pen, or whatever else I've made with a particular chunk-O-wood. Below is an example of what I mean.

On Christmas day of 2010 our family had a reunion of sorts at my brothers house. We only have the opportunity to have such congregations two or three times a year, so it's always nice to hang out with my brother, catch up on the trials and tribulations each of our families had dealt with or celebrate each others accomplishments since our last meeting. My brother and I spent a great deal of time this past Christmas discussing my woodturning and digging through his firewood pile looking for future projects. When my tribe and I loaded up that night to head back home, we brought a few pieces of oak and black locust with us. I've recently started cutting those pieces into usable blanks and even spun a couple of projects from the forementioned firewood.

While the pieces that I've turned with this wood gathered during our Christmas visit at my brother's house aren't much different than any other item of similar design that I've made from any other wood from any other point of origin, each time I look at one of them I'll always recollect the good times that were had on the day that I acquired them in their raw form, and the history of those pieces have written a books worth of memories that I will remember for the rest of my life, and quite probably spawn stories that will be told by my children over the years. These memories and stories are the part of the woodturning experience that I treasure most.

wood turning, woodturning, turning, wood, red oak, oak

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About Me

My name is Donnie, and I'm a husband, father, artist, and woodturner. Over the years I've turned many different items... most of which litter the whatnot shelves, tops of entertainment centers, and other such flat surfaces in the homes of friends and family members.

Most people can appreciate just about anything that is hand crafted and if one of my creations finds a good home where it can be used, enjoyed, and shared with others, then I consider it time in the shop well spent. I turn wood for the artistic release it provides, and for the sense of accomplishment I get upon completing a piece.

I have no ambitions to write books, peddle DVDs, or have my name embossed on the handles of tools... in other words, I do this for the pleasure, and can care less about the treasure. Unfortunately, when I first started turning I didn't think about capturing my work and my progression in the craft, but now I'm making an effort to photograph and document my journey in woodturning and share it with others.