top of page

WOMEN IN TURNING

palmtree petiole v.png
Barbara Jones.jpg

Barbara Jones

July 27, 2020

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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

You can see more of Barbara's work in her member gallery.

Some of Barbara's miniature turnings

20210614_124040.jpg

Jessica Doner is our WIT liaison to AAW.

You can learn more about Women In Turning (WIT) by visiting the American Association of Woodturners website.

wit logo.png
Rebecca DeGroot

Rebecca DeGroot

Jun 3, 2021

image.jpg

Walking Bowl

transparent%20image_edited.png
Graeme Priddle & Melissa Engler

Graeme Priddle & Melissa Engler

Sep 8, 2019

image.jpg

Surface treatments

transparent%20image_edited.png
Cindy Navarro

Cindy Navarro

Mar 8, 2018

image.jpg

In the Kitchen with Cindy

transparent%20image_edited.png
Sally Ault

Sally Ault

Oct 7, 2017

image.jpg

Wooden Jewelry & Sea Urchin boxes

transparent%20image_edited.png
Cindy Drozda

Cindy Drozda

Feb 4, 2021

image.jpg

Twisted Triangle Box

transparent%20image_edited.png
Andi Wolfe

Andi Wolfe

Mar 9, 2019

image.jpg

Coloring & Painting Techniques

transparent%20image_edited.png
Kalia Kliban

Kalia Kliban

Nov 2, 2017

image.jpg

Porringer Bowl

transparent%20image_edited.png
Sharon Doughtie

Sharon Doughtie

Jul 30, 2016

image.jpg

Wrap Up

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Ashley Harwood

Apr 10, 2016

image.jpg

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Judy Ditmer

Aug 24, 2008

image.jpg

Judy shows us her turning and decorative techniques

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Andi Wolfe

Apr 6, 2005

image.jpg

Making it to the Gallery Market

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Merryll Saylan

Apr 3, 2014

image.jpg

Using Wood as your Canvas

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Cindy Drozda

Oct 14, 2007

image.jpg

Triangular Box

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Andi Wolfe

Oct 17, 2004

image.jpg

Surface decoration with Andi Wolfe

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Dottie Bang

May 2, 2013

image.jpg

Dottie Bang's Spirals

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Barbara Jones

Mar 8, 2007

image.jpg

Barb says “It’s a small world after all."

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Merryll Saylan

Jan 7, 1999

image.jpg

Slide presentation

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Becky Frisbee

Sep 8, 2011

image.jpg

Becky’s Parting Tool Demo

transparent%20image_edited.png
image.jpg

Bonnie Klein

Apr 30, 2006

image.jpg

Chatter work by Bonnie Klein

transparent%20image_edited.png
bottom of page