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Class last week

Posts

Class last week

#1

Class last week

John K Jordan

I had the privilege of attending a class last week conducted by Clay Foster and the other John Jordan. Good fun! The class wasn't necessarily focused on making a finished something or even developing new turning skills, but more on considering different ways to look at things and learning to think and experiment outside our safe zones.

We played with paint, dye, fire, hammered steel, egg shells, concrete, plastic, wire, paper, feathers, and yes, mud. I came away with my little brain crammed full of enough new ideas about form, material, color, and texture to experiment for years. Everyone in the class was considerate and sharing as well as an accomplished turner. We stayed knee deep in shavings. What a great week!



I did accidentally turn a few things; I'll try to take some pictures in a day or three.

JKJ

Re: Class last week

#2

Re: Class last week

john lucas

I really wanted to come visit you guys but it just didn't work out. I used to live 15 minutes from there and it was easy but now I'm an hour away and it's harder to find the time. Glad you had fun. I'm sure it was a great class.

Re: Class last week

#3

Re: Class last week

Jake Niedling

Getting out of your comfort zone isn't easy. When you turn something with a good shape and it is cut cleanly, it hard to do something to it that might screw it up. I know we need to expirement, and I do from time to time, but it is always nice to see someone do it first. That way you can decide if you like that techinque or not. I will have to come up to your place sometime soon and talk more about what you learned. Sounds like you had a great time with some of the best turners. Wished I had been there. Jake

Re: Class last week

#4

Re: Class last week-where was it?


Re: Class last week

#5

Appalachian Center for Craft


Re: Class last week

#6

Re: Class last week

John K Jordan

John, I wish you could have come! The blacksmiths were forging viking axe heads (I turned a off-axis handle for one) and the glass people were doing amazing things. I see you are scheduled to teach a class this weekend (unless there is another John Lucas woodturner out there!)

Jake, it was both a stressless and invigorating time. JJ was as usual excellent and knowledgeable (how does he know so much?) and Clay struck me as a low-key creative genius - this was my first time meeting him. As an example of the tone of the week, Clay read a thought-provoking passage every afternoon from the book "My Grandfather's Blessings" by Rachel Remen. You are, as always, welcome to come play or maybe it's my turn to visit your shop!

JKJ

Re: Class last week

#8

My class didn't make

john lucas

OH well. Gail said they are having problems this hear with people dropping out. my class was just too small.

The craft center is a wonderful place. I used to go their a lot to photograph students work and you get to see such great work and meet great people. It's wonderful place to take workshops of all kinds. It's a lost treasure that I wish people would discover.

Re: Class last week

#9

egg shells

John K Jordan

I really liked this: We were encouraged to turn a small wide-rimmed bowl to allow some practice with materials. Several fine turners glued things including egg shells into a recess then lightly sanded. This was my favorite:


He later added color to the crevasses with milk paint and lightly sanded again for an entirely different look (I didn't get a picture of that).

So many new things to try!

JKJ

Re: Class last week

#10

Re: egg shells

John Jordan

It was a good week, thanks to all of the folks that came. It was your willingness to go along that made it fun, and hopefully a learning experience. Gail has asked if the whole class could come back in a couple of years.Clay and I both thought it was worthwhile, if we can find a good venue, we would like to do it next year. We just scratched the surface, so to speak. :D

John

Re: Class last week

#11

Re: Class last week

Pete Kekel

That John Jordan, what a snappy dresser . . .