Never Forget Your First Time
The longer we turn at the wood lathe the more second nature the process becomes. The results take less effort and are less amazing because we’ve seen it all before. Fortunately for me, this time of year I get to see about 5,000 people every week and many of them have never turned anything or even watched someone make a turned item in person.
The look on their faces and in their wide open eyes when I apply the various texturing patterns to a lump of wood tells me that they are amazed and many of them say just that. When my friend, Bradley McCalister, turns a bowl from green wood and throws shavings 10 feet right at the audience, you can hear the crowd gasp and giggle. Another long–time friend, Alex Snodgrass, who is a master on the band saw, makes a complete reindeer in under a minute. He never fails to amaze folks who are seeing it for the first time.
When you demonstrate anything on a lathe, don’t take it for granted because what we do is anything but routine. You have developed skills and abilities which are nothing short of magic to someone who hasn’t seen it before. Some folks can’t imagine how anyone can be that amazing and produce something so beautiful from a simple lump of firewood. My counsel for you is to fan the flames of wonder, not by putting beginners down or acting superior, but by encouraging the person that they can learn to do it also. Help them to grasp the concepts and let them know that with a little practice, time and patience, they too can begin to produce beautiful treasures themselves. We all have to start somewhere and you were once a beginner too.
From turning a bowl to making a delicate Christmas Ornament Finial to a simple spinning top or pen, each of these are wonderful miracles to someone who has not seen it done before. Share the excitement whenever you can and pass the joy along because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
2Cor 12:12 NIV
I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
Acts 6:8 NIV2
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
Ps 65:8 NIV2
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
I have prepared a very short video showing a typical texturing demonstration which I do for audiences at The Woodworking Shows each weekend this time of year. Although I’ve done many thousands of these, they never get old. I hope you enjoy this three and a half minute video.
