Bonnie Klein grew up with crafts and has spent most of her life looking for new things to learn and new things to make. "The joy of making things" is perfectly exemplified in the precision of her techniques, the design of her product and the expression of pleasure as she holds up a finished piece. She was most generous in the amount of information she shared during her day long demonstration for CMW.

From her famous boxes with threaded lids to fun toys such as yo-yo's, Bonnie's work is produced on the mini-lathe that she designed and produces. Interestingly enough, the lathe may be small but the majority of tools that she uses are the same size as used by turners of larger vessels (except for turners who use a Stoney Lamar-sized monster gouge).

Eastern maple is used for the hundreds of spinning tops that Bonnie produces. She uses CA glue and double stick tape to attach the turning block to the waste block instead of using a face plate. This gives her the ability to maximize the use of the material that she is turning.

Once the body of the top is turned, she draws a line from the center of the piece to the outer edge to show the direction that the chatter tool will take. She places the face of the tool parallel to the radial line (at 7:30) and uses the chatter tool at an angle. Her tool has a spring tip that is not too sharp and requires less pressure upon contact. She always cuts towards the head stock and keeps the tool level. Nice clean lines with an excellent finish. India Ink or felt pens are used to apply color to the tops and an application of carnauba wax applied with a buffing wheel complete the process. Turning tips for the aficionados of tops: skinny tops go the fastest; a top can be produced in two minutes; use bevel contact vs. bevel pressure for smooth and `bump' free tops.

Opening your mind to other materials to turn was well demonstrated. Bonnie turns bones (you can get them at pet stores), deer antlers, Plexiglas (etchings are fun on Plexiglas) and horns. The latter is easy to cut/scrape/chatter. They are solid all the way through and a drill bit makes it possible to create an opening. Bonnie turned one piece of all the materials listed above and then drilled a hole in each object to make the diverse pieces appropriate for a bracelet.

Easter eggs and the famous lidded boxes rounded out the demonstration. Key points to note regarding the Easter eggs: use 3/8 inch spindle gouge; work from high spot first going from high point in one direction first and then reversing the direction. Tool contact is key to smooth work instead of tool pressure. Key points regarding the treaded boxes: 16 threads per inch works extremely well. The first thread should be short and a little fat (1/16 x 1/16) use the tool at 45 degree angle making horizontal scrapes; 1/16 inch at top to create tenon and make frequent measurements; use small round nose scrapper; sand and finish before cutting the treads. (Editor note: practice, practice, practice!) A finish of shoe polish (Bonnie likes the polish she got in France) that will buff back up quite easily and is very durable.

Tops, a treaded top box with a tiny top placed inside, an Easter egg, bone, antler, Plexiglas and wood beads, a carrot pen and yo-yo's were all produced during the demonstration. Bonnie generously donated the items (signed!) for the September Auction.