Accidental Turner

The vast majority of woodturners I know didn’t plan to become a turner. It seemingly happened by accident. Such is exactly my case. I founded a woodworking club (flat work – bookcases – tables, cabinets, etc.) in 1998 which met every Saturday morning. A club member invited a “Turner”, I didn’t know exactly what that meant at the time, to be a presenter at one of our club meetings. It was a cold morning in December between Christmas and New Years in 2000 when about 60 of us gathered in the basement of a brand new home to watch this curious demonstration. No chairs – no heat that I remember – we all stood for two hours captivated by this wood magician. I had never seen anything like it. It was interesting, but not my thing.

However, one couple in our crowd decided turning was their thing and signed up for lessons with the stranger. They went on to host two meetings per month in their basement garage. These meetings grew to 25+ attendees at each meeting. With only one day of instruction, it was a classic case of the blind leading the blind. As the founders, Sweet Janice and I felt compelled to attend these meetings in a show of moral support for their selfless efforts in hosting meetings in their home. After a few of these “classes”, they could barely be called that back in those days, my wife poked me in the ribs and said “How hard could this turning thing be? You could do that. They aren’t that good.” Properly challenged by now, I began my quest to learn to turn.

The host family is Ted and Windy Riggs to whom we will ever be grateful. The mystery turner is Nick Cook. That cold December basement presentation yielded at least two noteworthy results: AAW chapter 192 with monthly meetings alive and well, & a professional woodturner who has demonstrated turning methods, tools and techniques to around a million people since 2006 all over America. Countless others have learned about the craft through his DVD’s and YouTube videos. Nearly 100 new turning accessories are now available in the marketplace as a direct result of one two hour demonstration in someone’s cold dimly lit basement on a holiday weekend 15 years ago. I don’t even remember saying anything to Nick during his visit.

The point is that when you have an opportunity to give a demonstration, teach a class, mentor someone, or just help a neighbor you never know how it will influence an individual and what the end result may be. Grasp such opportunities enthusiastically and don’t ignore anyone who may be there. You never know who you are talking to – you just might be the inspiration they need to do great things.

I know absolutely that this is true:

Psalm 37:23 KJV

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

An Accidental Turner? I think not. Because “Wherever you go, there you are.”