Session Descriptions

Instructors will use a combination of live teaching and pre-recorded video.

The descriptions below are organized by instructor. Scroll down this page to view all sessions.

Kip Christensen

Scales and Chords of Spindle Turning
Saturday, November 6 - 1:00 p.m. (100 minutes)
In this session, Kip will discuss and demonstrate the most efficient method he has found for teaching the techniques of making the fundamental cuts used in spindle turning. He will explain how each of the various cuts results in unique shavings and how to recognize them. Additionally, Kip will apply several of the cuts shown in the scales and chords demonstration by showing you how to turn a classic egg shape. He’ll explain how turning an egg can help you train your eye to turn the classic asymmetrical cove used so often in turning.

Ten Principles of Clean Cutting
Saturday, November 6 - 2:50 p.m. (80 minutes)
In this session, Kip will discuss and demonstrate several general principles that apply to cutting material, including wood. Poor turning cuts can usually be traced to violating one or more of the “Principles of Clean Cutting.” The applications will be discussed in relation to spindle turning but can be applied to other turning as well. Additionally, Kip will show how to apply several of the cuts by turning a sphere from a rectangular block.  

Introduction to the Designing and Turning a Bud Vase
Saturday, November 6 - 4:20 p.m. (30 minutes)
Many beginning turners struggle with designing a project that has good proportion and pleasing lines. In this session, Kip will show a simple but very effective way to quickly design and refine the silhouettes for several bud vases before turning the wood. 

Beth Ireland

Turning a Triangle and an Ellipse
Sunday, November 7 - 1:00 p.m. (90 minutes)
In this session, Beth introduces the idea of the lathe as a power carver to make a variety of shapes for vessels, handles, finials, and furniture. The focus of this session will be to introduce you to the ease of creating elliptical and triangular shapes safely on the lathe with the same skill used for roughing a cylinder. These simple techniques can add the wow factor to simple projects!

Pattern Carving for Beginners
Sunday, November 7 - 2:40 p.m. (90 minutes)
In this session, Beth will show you how to map a grid on any 3D object to help layout patterns for woodburning, carving, painting, and texturing. You’ll learn to layout and carve a spiral, as well as how to lay out and carve simple leaf and plant patterns. These simple techniques can add interest to boxes and bowls.

Simple Drilled Box
Sunday, November 7 - 4:20 p.m. (40 minutes)
Drilled boxes are quick, easy, and allow for a variety of sizes and functions. In this session, Beth will teach you to make a box by drilling two pieces to any depth accessible by a drill bit, allowing long boxes that can be carried in your pocket or set upright on a shelf.  After some fitting techniques, using some surprisingly easy tricks of the trade, the box is then put back on lathe and turned or decorated as if it were a spindle. This is a perfect box for production and for holding anything from needles to chopsticks.

Eric Lofstrom

Basic Bowl 101
Saturday, November 6 - 1:00 p.m. (60 minutes)
In this session, you will learn the basics of turning a face grain bowl. Eric will present the techniques he uses to turn a bowl from start to finish, using a solid block of dry wood. The discussion will cover grain orientation, blank selection and layout, as well as basic bowl design. Both fingernail and traditional grind bowl gouges and negative rake scrapers will be highlighted, emphasizing both push and pull cuts, and scraping to minimize sanding and create a pure form.

Square-Rim Bowl - Part 1
Saturday, November 6 - 2:10 p.m. (80 minutes)
In this session, you’ll learn the techniques Eric uses to turn an artistically inspired bowl with an outward flowing square rim and a variety of surface textures. Created from a square-corner blank with basic turning tools, this session showcases the fingernail grind bowl gouge, finishing scrapers, and multiple methods of texturing the rim to accent the focal point. You’ll gain techniques to create a flowing form, utilizing the cleanest of tool cutting techniques to eliminate tear-out and minimize sanding. This square-rimmed bowl demonstration is sure to set your mind and imagination resonating with possibilities!

Embellishing the Square-Rim Bowl - Part 2
Saturday, November 6 - 3:40 p.m. (80 minutes)
This session will showcase the techniques Eric uses to embellish, finish, and display square-rimmed bowls. You’ll learn multiple techniques of embellishing the center bowl. He will also share multiple treatments for adding texture to the rim to highlight the center bowl as the artistic focal point.

Fitted Lid End Grain Box
Part 1 - Sunday, November 7 - 1:00 p.m. (90 minutes)
Part 2 - Sunday, November 7 - 2:40 p.m. (80 minutes)
This session will showcase the roughing techniques Eric uses to turn artistically
embellished, fitted-lid boxes. You’ll learn the basic skills Eric uses to create functional but artistic boxes using small end grain pieces of wood. In addition to exploring basic spindle and end grain turning techniques, time will be spent on chucking techniques used to mount parts on the lathe for finish turning. Using basic turning tools, the session will be devoted to the stepped progression of turning small end grain boxes while emphasizing tool control, form, and elegant textures as embellishment.

Finishing 101
Sunday, November 7 - 4:20 p.m. (40 Minutes)
In this session, you will learn about some of Eric’s go-to finishes for functional and purely artistic turnings. He will share basic information he uses to make the decision of which finish to use for a specific piece. The discussion will cover basic surface preparation and why it is important, penetrating vs. film-forming finishes and many different finish application techniques. With so many different options for finishing your turned piece, Eric will highlight several "go-to" finishes to help avoid the finishing frenzy.

Kimberly Winkle

Getting Started with Spindle Turning:  Beads and Coves
Saturday, November 6 - 1:00 p.m. (60 minutes)
In this session, Kimberly will walk you through the process of turning beads and coves using a spindle gouge. All lathe-turned forms are comprised of variations of beads and coves that can be combined in infinite variation. You’ll learn proper form and technique which will be used in the lesson on learning how to make the ever-popular snowman icicle Christmas ornament.

The Matched Pair: Making Candlesticks Using Templates
Saturday, November 6 - 2:10 p.m. (80 minutes)
Wouldn’t you like a matched pair of candlesticks? In this session, Kimberly will explain the process of designing a candlestick, making a template, and turning the candlestick following the template. Whether you make one or a hundred and one, the template will assist you in duplicating the size, shape, and proportion of the original design. The same techniques can be applied to other objects as well. Basic design considerations as it relates to form and surface will also be discussed.  

From Drab to Pizzazz: Milk Paint and Surface Embellishment
Saturday, November 6 - 3:40 p.m. (80 minutes)
You keep hearing of Milk Paint over and over again but have no idea really what it is or how to begin using it, right?  In this session, Kimberly will demystify Milk Paint.  You’ll learn how to properly mix, use, and explore the infinite possibilities of Milk Paint.  Although Milk Paint is often associated with traditional furniture forms, the material can be used on practically any surface or format: metal, stretched canvas, bedroom walls, kitchen cabinets, toys, furniture, and more. Your only limitation is your imagination. Milk Paint is incredibly durable, eco-friendly, and comes in a delicious color palette.  You’ll learn how to use Milk Paint and explore the wide range of visual possibilities. The techniques learned can be translated to any number of other projects or formats.  

Turning a Small Stool: Start to Finish
Part 1 - Sunday, November 7 - 1:00 p.m. (90 minutes)
Part 2 - Sunday, November 7 - 2:40 p.m. (90 minutes)
Part 3 - Sunday, November 7 - 4:20 p.m. (40 minutes)
In this session, you’ll learn how to turn a small stool. Kimberly will discuss construction and joinery, demonstrate how to prepare materials, make a drilling jig, cut joinery, turn the seat using a faceplate, design and turn legs using spindle turning techniques and techniques for gluing up the finished stool.