Well after my scare in December, I got back in the shop in January for some new woodturning projects.  It started with a custom made detail gouge that I created as part of a turn and learn session at the January Buckeye Woodworker and Wood Turners meeting.  As usual, it was another great meeting.  I had a chance to meet and talk with Dave Hout who started the club back in '92 and currently has a woodturning show on the DIY Network.  I actually got back into woodturning after seeing several of Dave's shows, so it was kinda neat to get a chance to talk with him for a few minutes and get a few pointers.  In fact the design for the detail gouge is Dave's creation.

I must say that after several months of attending the BWWT and the North Coast Wood Turners clubs, that I am finally getting more confident in my turning skills.  I still have a lot to learn but I am getting better with every project.

Before Christmas I had started work on a set of pens to give as presents.  Unfortunately, I ran out of time to get them done for Christmas.  After running into some difficulties with a pepper grinder on my ShopSmith, I was lucky enough to get a brand new Nova 1624 lathe for my birthday.  In return I agreed to make some pen and pencil sets for my in-laws.  Well, now that I had a new lathe, I decided to finish up the pen set I had started in December.

I think the pens turned out great.  I can definitely see some differences, both in my attention to detail when sanding and in the quality of my finishes.

I have some great projects in the work for February.  Hopefully I'll find a few more hours to get in the shop.  With everything going on with DotNetNuke lately, finding spare time is getting a bit difficult.  BWWT and NCWT are having an art showing this summer and I hope to get my skills to the point where I can get a piece or two in the show.  So the month of February will be spent perfecting some ideas I have before I start on the actual show pieces.