Monthly Newsletter...Vice President’s Message:October 2009 I recently started a project where I have forced myself to do something turning related every day and blog about my daily activity in words and photos. I say ‘force’ as if this is a burden or something that I have to will myself to do but nothing could be further from the truth. Next to my wife and kids tuning is my passion and my obsession and though it’s not always easy, I find it a task that I eagerly look forward to every day. My initial goal was to continue this project for 30 days, but now I’m almost 2 months into this project, have yet to miss a day, and have decided to keep it going indefinitely. A couple of days my shop time has been limited and at least once I never set foot in my shop, instead my turning related activity was to put ideas down on paper via rough sketches. One of these sketches became a piece I call my ‘Mesquite Pie’ that combines a set of 3 mesquite bowls and a lid of Mesquite and thin strips of basswood that resemble a woven lattice top similar to the kind I remember on my Grandmother’s pies. Another of these sketches became one of the goblets I’ll be showing for the President’s Challenge in October. This project and the President’s Challenges have also allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and to try some different things. It’s also allowed me to find inspiration in places that I otherwise may not have. At the September meeting I had 3 such turnings. The ‘Mesquite Pie’ I mentioned above, a hot dog and bun, and a hamburger with bun, tomatoes, and onions. Both of these were inspired by an evening cookout with the family, it just goes to show that you’ll never know when inspiration might strike. For those interested in viewing my blog it can be found at http://agoodturndaily.blogspot.com Jason Clark Arizona Woodturners Association © 2009 |