Woodworker's Journal 2006-30-5, страница 12

The Turners'

there, too. It threatened to rain the entire day, but we were fortunate that Shawn could take some of the photos outdoors.

What follows is the result of interviews, as well as personal knowledge — I have known these women for several years. When I need flat woodworking done, I call them. In turn, they rely on me for advice on woodturning.

Furniture Maker: Anne Shellabarger

Anne Shellabarger is admittedly a novice woodturner, but she is no stranger to woodworking tools and machinery. She began her career as a carpenter, and she built her own home! She now makes custom furniture, small boxes and hanging shelves, which she designs herself. Her work sells through the Art in Hand Gallery in Zionsville, just north of Indianapolis.

From the beginning, Anne had in mind to make a puu-puu platter. She likes to make utilitarian objects, and she intended this platter to be used. The large diameter of the wood allowed for a center cup for salsa, which could be surrounded by corn chips.

Anne's previous experience using a lathe was limited to spindle turned elements for furniture. Her ability to work with her hands gave her the advantage of being a quick learner. The result was successful!

By Betty Scarpino

In our third annual 'Turners' Challenge," four amateur turners were provided with identical soft maple turning blanks. The diversity of their output speaks volumes about the possibilites inherent in turning.

What better way to encourage friends to do more woodturning than promise them a free chunk of wood and a chance to show others what they've made! The Women's Woodworking Guild of Indiana meets every month, but I often cannot attend their meetings to talk turning, so I invited four members to participate in this year's Turners' Challenge. The challenge for three of the women was their limited experience using a lathe, particularly for turning a large faceplate form.

Jennifer Shirley, Myra Perrin, and Paula Mann all live in Indianapolis. Anne Shellabarger lives in Mooresville, just west of the city. I arranged to deliver a 16-inch square by 2-inch thick piece of soft maple to each woman: easy enough for them to get started, or so I thought Right away came the realization that only Jennifer's lathe could turn such a large piece of wood, and Anne doesn't even own a lathe! Several e-mail messages later, and I had visitors to my shop. Myra, Paula and Anne would use my lathe. Even better, a bit of instruction would be included in the deal.

Jennifer, Myra, Anne and Paula approached the challenge in entirely different ways. The end results were varied and outstanding! Photographer Shawn Spence and I met at Jennifer's home early in the morning. Myra was