Woodworking with the OVWG

What?
This experience was based around my love woodturning. Previous years I have taken classes at UC for woodturning and decided this year to investigate that passion further. I joined the Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild, an organization based around spreading the love of woodturning for both practical and artistic purposes.  During the last year, I have been taking classes, working at open shops, and attending meetings to help learn and grow my knowledge of woodturning. 

​So what?
In the last year my knowledge in comfort of woodturning is grow. Before this I was able to complete simple projects with help, but at the end of the day I still required assistance on almost anything I turned that was anything out of the ordinary. This year I really gained confidence in what I'm doing. Part of being good at would turning is being willing to stand near the lathe and being willing to work with it and not be scared of it which is something I feel like this year really accomplished.  Additionally, I feel like I have gained a community that will support me even after graduation. While the demographic of the woodturning Guild is highly skewed toward an older crowd, I was readily and quickly accepted in an have been mentored from day one. 

Wood burning class lead by Mary Carol

​Now what?
The next step for me is to continue this period graduation approaching along with the move date and period what this means is in order for me to continue this skill and making a lifelong hobby, I will need to look into finding it woodturning guild closer to where I'll be living, or commit to making the drive down to this one until I'm out of position my life where I can get my own equipment. I feel like this has been an amazing learning experience because I was able to fully explore something with people who are willing to support me.