I was first introduced to woodturning in 1996 at a shop in Branson, MO. I
thought "that is something I could never do". But the
shop-owner simply replied "nonsense!". I went home that
day with a couple of candle holders that I had made with my own hands.
I was hooked.Those candle holders are still sitting on a shelf in our home and my wife wouldn't have it any other way.
I bought my first lathe in 1997, a "Buffalo Lathe" made in 1983 with few of the modern common features. I struggled with trying to get anything close to a nice form that first year until I stumbled onto a class at Colco Hardwoods in Memphis, which was being taught by Dick Absher. He set me straight on a number of things and recruited me into the Mid South Woodturner's Guild in 1998. I've upgraded lathes a couple of times in the years since, and still have the good fortune of working with Dick in our local guild. I've also had the good pleasure of meeting a large number of incredibly talented turners. Some I have met in person, and many others through the reach of the internet. My goal is not to specialize in only one area of turning, such as only bowls or pens, but to learn and practice the skills necessary for the broader range of turned items. Woodturning includes such a diverse range of items as bowls, pens, spinning tops, platters, hollowforms, rolling pins, peppermills and more. I want to be able to move from one type of item to the other while feeling comfortable that it is within my ability to do safely and produce a pleasing piece of work. In short, I want to be a highly experienced, amateur, novice woodturner.
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