The Tidewater Turners’ Youth Program
“Sprouting Spindleers”

The Tidewater Turners conducted their first youth turning program during the winter and spring of 2009.  The Sprouting Spindleers, a name conceived by the children who participated, is based on the Young Turners Program sponsored by the American Association of Woodturning (AAW).

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Six children participated, with five receiving the AAW “Woodturning Journeyman” completion certificate and the other receiving the “Woodturning Student” completion certificate.  In addition to an AAW membership, the Tidewater Turners gave a one year club membership and a member turned platter to the children.

Several sponsors donated a variety of woodturning supplies to include tools, wood, sandpaper, spring steel, space and lathes in support of the program.  The list of sponsors includes Bonnie Klein, Crown Hand Tools Ltd., Craft Supplies USA, F.H. Gaskins Company, Inc., The Sanding Glove, Tidewater Architectural Millworks, Inc., Woodcrafters of Virginia, Inc. and Woodcraft at Janaf.

Of particular note are Bill and Heather Caillet, owners of the Woodcraft at Janaf (Norfolk, Virginia), for their generosity in providing lathes and a place to turn. 

The children completed the requisite projects for each certificate from the list posted on the AAW website.  Additionally, they had the opportunity to complete a couple of electives that included a shopmade Diamond Point tool made from a cut masonry nail, an end-grain bowl and handles for a wire to burn lines into their turnings.  The children also learned a bit about production turning by completing a purchase order for a local business.  The money earned from the order paid for the set of shopmade tools that each received from the members supporting the program.

The Spindleers’ newly found skills were captured in photos and text through an article written about them by The Virginian-Pilot, a local Hampton Roads newspaper, which was coordinated by Bill Tiernan. Supporting Tidewater Turners of particular note are Myron Curtis, Reuben Everett, Clifton Chisum, Larry Anderson, and Matt Lewis. 

Learn more about the Sprouting Spindleers at www.tidewaterturners.net.  We hope you enjoy the pictures!

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