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This demonstration will concentrate on spindle working techniques including end grain hollowing, making tenons that fit their mortises properly, and design.

The ornament body will be oriented with the grain running parallel to the lathe bed so that spindle turning techniques can be used to shape the ornament body. End grain hollowing techniques will be used to hollow the inside of the ornament after a drill bit is used to make a hole for the ornamental disc. Both bowl turning techniques and spindle turning techniques will be demonstrated when making the ornamental discs.

I will use an Elf tool and a chatter tool to decorate these discs. Two finials will be made for the ornament. One will be turned as a straight spindle and the other will be an eccentric finial using an Escoulen chuck. How to turn an off-center finial using a regular 4-jaw chuck with the #1 jaws will be demonstrated as well.

The use of dyes and bleach on various parts of the ornament will be explained and discussed, and demonstrated, as time permits.

Tom Irven ornament article

Thomas R. Irven is a wood artist who has been producing custom furniture and woodturnings in his studio since 1987. He earned a BS in Business from Ferris State University in Michigan and an MS in Occupational Education from the University of Houston. While at the University of Houston, he met and served a one-year apprenticeship under an English master craftsman.

Thomas has taught woodworking and drafting in public and private institutions, and has conducted seminars in woodworking, woodturning, and design. Woodturning has always been a passion for Thomas, and has always played a large part in his furniture making. In 1998 however, turning wood became the primary focus of his work. He is currently teaching classes in woodturning and design, and creating wood turned sculptures and furniture.

His recognitions include an Award of Merit, the top award, in “Craft Houston 2004: Texas” an exhibition organized by the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and juried by Lawrence Rinder of the Whitney Museum in New York City. Thomas Irven’s work is also a part of the 2004 Lark Books publication 400 Wood Boxes: The Fine Art of Containment and Concealment. Thomas was a Niche Award finalist in 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, and again in 2016, and was an exhibiting artist in “Craft Houston 2006: Texas” and “Craft Texas 2008”. In 2002 Thomas spent a year as an Artist in Residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.