Christmas is comming all too fast!!

Wow, October is almost over and Christmas is just around the corner. Normally I do not like to think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving (especially when it comes to Christmas Music, and that rule stands), but this year I have a number of projects in the works which I will be giving and/or selling to people as Christmas gifts. I have a co-worker who has ordered a few Pen/Pencil sets from me, so I have to get those started soon (just waiting for all the parts I ordered to arrive so that I can get them started). I also am making some gifts for family which will take some time. I'm hoping this weekend to get a really good start on many of these projects. . . We'll see how that goes. (luckily I have one major project almost finished, but it is a surprise so I will make no more mention of it for now).

2011 Calendar

I had mentioned below in a previous post that I was planning on submitting a pen picture into a contest to get it onto a calendar. . . well. . . that did not happen. However with my El Grande Pen (pictured below), I was able to submit a picture for a chance to make it into the calendar and I believe it was just chosed as one of the pictures to make it into the 2011 calendar from http://www.woodturnersresource.com/. I'm really excited!! There are some other submissions to the contest of other types of turned projects which are absolutely amazing! I can't wait to see the full calendar!!!

Amendment 12/6/10
> Sadly I found out today that my picture was NOT accepted into the calander. It was just accepted into the contest. I misunderstood. I did get to look at the calander though, and the pictures that were chosen were of some AMAZING turnings. Maybe next year . . .

El Grande Pen with Bloodwood

I had a chance to spend a little time in the shop today (baby was sleeping!) and I made this pen. It is a great pen that writes REALLY well. There is a lady at work that is looking for some Christmas presents to share with her friends and families this year and this is the type of pen that she decided to purchase for herself. I've not yet decided on what type of wood to use on her pen yet. This is my 'prototype' for this pen style as it is the first one I have made of this type. Not bad for a prototype.

FINALLY . . . A Changing Table

So it has been a LOOOOONG time since I have posted anything. Mostly because my time working on things has been primarily devoted to making this changing table. It is my first "real" woodworking project, and I think that overall it turned out quite good! I hand turned each of the spindles along the rail. I was planning on making doors for the little section below, but I'm not sure that will happen any time soon (if at all). This was a fun project and am glad to have it finished so that the next kid can use it (it was supposed to be made in time that this kid could, but he is a little to big now).

First Segmented Turning

So, I have been working on this for a couple of weeks, and I finished it this Monday. It is a little toothpick holder I made from Cherry and Walnut, it is approx 2 1/2" tall by 2 1/4 wide. The technique used is called segmented turning, which is where many small pieces of wood are cut at precise angles, glued together to form rings, and then the rings are glued together. When all glued up it is put on the late and turned to the desired shape. I had fun making this, but it takes quite a while to get everything all glued up and set right.

Some New Pens, Finally!

Well, I know it has been a while since I have added anything new to here, so I figured I should do something. I haven't been to the shop that much this winter because, well it is cold and I don't like working in the shop when it is that cold. But here are a few new pens. The style of pen is called Wall Street by some pen suppliers. From left to right they are made from Cocobolo, Cherry (with stain), Purple Heart (my favorite one!), and a Blue and Green Acrylic. The blue and green acrylic is like one I made for Sabrina. The Cherry and Cocobolo were given away as B-Day presents to Sabrina's family. The picture is not the best, so sorry about that. I have a new phone with a 3.2 MP camera in it. I thought the pic would come out better, but I guess not. I'll have to play around some more.

This pen is a Purple Acrylic Slimline. I am going to be playing around with taking Pics of this one and try to get it into a calendar for 2010. There is a forum I follow, and get a lot of tips and ideas from other woodturners. They do a calendar every year and I would like to get a pic added for next years. (Kristy, once I get a Pic that I am happy with, I may be enlisting your help to doctor it up a little).

Bracelet Helpers

These are called Bracelet helpers. The little alligator clips can be used to hold one side of the bracelet while you use the other hand to clip it together. These are for another lady at my work for her family at Christmas. These are not wood, but an acrylic. Not as fun to work with on the lathe, but that look great!