WIT is a relatively new addition to the many ways the American Association of Woodturners supports those of us who love to turn. However, there have been outstanding women turning wood for quite a long time. Two that come to mind quickly are Betty Scarpino and Bonnie Klein.

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My own experience with turning began when I found a used German Unimat, quite small, around 1972. Pieces were regularly thrown against the wall. A house fire in 1974 eliminated the Unimat. As a dealer at a small miniatures show in Santa Cruz my table was next to that of a fellow selling Taig lathes. By selling 3 of them he gave each of us a 35% discount, and I was on my way. Tools were by Brookstone and Miller Falls, and I was scraping, not cutting. My turnings were for the miniatures industry, scaled to 1” to the foot and ½” to the foot. I still turn my minis on that small Taig lathe.

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10 to 15 years ago I discovered the AAW and found a home with the Silicon Valley Woodturners, meeting on the far side of San Jose. Eventually I bought a used Jet mini lathe and some proper tools. I wanted to turn larger thing, so replaced it with a Ricon Midi lathe that I love. I turn for fun, and have trouble asking for help, so I still don’t have the skills I need to turn skillfully. I do a lot more scraping and a lot less cutting, but still hope to improve on that as time goes on.

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I hope to hear from more of our women who are turning, and to see some examples of what they are doing posted here.

 

Barb Jones