As The Wood Turns

One of my best sellers

2011-02-23T10:49:00.001-08:00

This is one of my best seller for my shop on Etsy, craft shows and friends

I am back creating again!

2011-02-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

2010 was not one of my best years. But I am back and here are a few things I have completed.

New French Rolling Pin

2011-02-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

This was so enjoyable to make on my wood lathe.

Laminated wood, brown and a very light lavender.

Morris Our Fat Cat

2010-12-31T08:29:00.000-08:00

After all the gifts were open our cat decided to rest in this basket. He is to large for the basket and his fat hangs over the edge, he is 18lbs! What was really funny was him trying to get out!

Happy New Year!

Think its time for Morris to go on a diet

French Rolling Pin

2009-12-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

The French rolling pin is a very useful tool for bakers for rolling out pastries, pie crust and more. What makes it different from other rolling pins is that it has no handles and that it is tapered to a small circumference at each end. Size can vary between 12 to 22 inches and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Most are made out of wood and are easy to care for by merely washing briefly with a little soap and water. Please note that they should NOT BE PUT IN A DISHWASHER. Many people prefer the French rolling pin because you can “feel” the dough better, but also the relative ease with which these rolling pins can manipulated.

Here are some that I have made and sold on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pjturner

Snowfall for Christmas

2009-12-09T09:13:00.001-08:00

Its beginning to look like Christmas here in Michigan. Puts me in the mood to do some Christmas shopping, however I can't get out of my drive way. It is suppose to snow till Friday, I'll post a picture then, to see how many feet we get.

Today! and more snow to come!

Must be winter in Traverse City!

My New Tea Candle Holders

2009-11-18T13:22:00.001-08:00

I have been so busy creating for the up coming craft shows that I have neglected my blog. So far the shows have been great, despite the economic shape we are in. This is one of my newest, hand turned candle holder. I have lots of new item on Etsy and some I need to put on Etsy. I should get pic of my next show!

My new hand turned Salt & Pepper shakers

2009-09-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

Star-Burst Wooden Buttons

2009-07-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

This wood is so unique! The star bust pattern is natural in this wood. The wood came from a old barn in Virginia. The wood was left over from a project and I just need to make something with it.

Tracy Designs http://www.tracydesigns.etsy.com/ has used my buttons on her beautiful patchwork quilted bags, they are a must see! Please check out her shop!

2009-05-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

Spring is here finally in Michigan. Love it here but the winter was way to long this year. But there is no way I would trade Traverse City for another city.

Anyway it gives me plenty of time to create. Here is one of my winter projects. I sell these at my craft shows and on Etsy, they are popular with crocheters.

Wine Bottle Stoppers

2009-03-31T16:05:00.000-07:00

These are just a few of my wine stopper.

http://www.pjturner.etsy.com

Crochet Hooks with Hand Turned Handles

2009-03-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

I sold some of these at my craft shows, just now getting around to making more. These are great for those of us that have Arthritis.

I used Birds Eye Maple, Pink Pearl Acrylic, Tulip wood and Dymondwood.

If you crochet a lot, you know that tiny hooks can slip out of your hand. The larger handle allows you to loosen your grip and prevent hand strain when crocheting for any length of time.
The crochet hook is permanently attached and are not interchangeable.

http://www.pjturner.etsy.com

I have been featured on this blog!

2009-03-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

Audrey's Country Crafts.

http://www.audreyscountrycrafts.blogspot.com/

Here is her wonderful shop on Etsy! She does all the tole painting and work herself, She has jean blankets, ornament, wall hangings, tote bags and much, much more!

Please stop by and check out her shop!

http://www.audreyscountrycrafts.etsy.com/

Michigan Natural Edge Cherry Burl!

2009-03-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

This Cherry Burl is from here in Michigan. I love to turn burls, the grain is always spectacular!

A burl is the knot in the tree.

Zebrawood

2009-03-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Just made this 2 in 1 corkscrew & bottle stopper. Zebrawood come from West Africa.

Breakfast!

2009-03-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

As we were sitting having breakfast this squirrel came in for some sunflower seeds. Then our dog (Ursa) and cat (Morris) went nuts because they wanted him for breakfast.

Hurray! our snow is melting and the sun is out, at least for right now.

Thank You!

2009-03-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

It is rainy and cloudy here today. I hate the time between winter and spring it all looks so ugly. We still have about 3 feet of yucky snow in our yard, hope its gone by June?? Come on spring!!

I didn't feel like turning wood today so I thought I would create some "thank you" cards. I like to give 4 to 6 cards as a thank you gift, and use them to write a thank you note for my customers.

Fuzzy Top!

2009-03-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

I sold one like this so I thought I would make another. I enjoy making things that no one has (to my knowledge anyway). My husband teases me sometimes about some of my creations, and I think it surprises him that I sell them. But being a woman I know what I like so I go with it.

Tulip Wood

2009-03-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

This Tulip wood corkscrew & bottle stopper was my project today.

Laminated Wood Droplet Wine Stopper

2009-03-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

I made 3 of these today, all turned out different.

Custom Dog Portraits

2009-03-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

Here is a wonderful shop! Wayne is a award winning artist, cartoonist and dog lover. Kelli is a lifelong crafter, soap maker and dog lover.

If you are interested in a special portrait of your dog, this shop is a must to see! http://www.fannieandsprout.etsy.com/

Dymondwood Pen

2009-03-02T12:41:00.001-08:00

Just finished this!

2009-02-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

Just turned this wine bottle stopper, what do you think?

Secret Compartment Key Chains

2009-02-25T12:26:00.000-08:00

Today it is cloudy and rain mix with snow, yuk!

So I went to my shop and created these 2 key chains. They have a little secret compartment inside so you can hide tooth picks, small pills or even a rolled up dollar bill. I have one without the keyring on it, in my purse, I keep a couple of extra pills that I may need in it. One is made out of Tulip Wood & the other is made from a real Corncob. Oh, don't worry the corncob is very durable because it is treated with hardener, tough stuff!!

CornCob Pen

2009-02-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

This pen is made from a real corncob. It is treated with hardener and is very durable. This was a very interesting project, I will be doing more!

Please check out my shop on Etsy to find more items.

Meet the grandkids!

2009-02-23T13:14:00.001-08:00

Caleb, Grace & Helena

Snowy day here in Michigan

2009-02-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Last night we received about 2 inches of snow. Today it is snowing and blowing! we should receive additional 5 inches of more snow. I really don't mine the winter here. We like to snowshoe and have in the past done some skiing. I have arthritis now so the skiing is not possible anymore. Our winter started in November this year, so we are all hopping for a early spring!

Yesterday I got some shop time in so I created this Embossing Stylus tool. I sold a few at the craft show this past fall. They are fatter then the ones in the store. You can check this one and more out in my shop at http://www.pjturner.etsy.com/ I am always open for comments or suggestions too!

I love to create!

2009-02-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Time to get some turning done I am working on a rolling pin today. The colors are lime green, hot pink and purple. I will post a picture of it when I am finished.

Well, here it is! I am happy with the way it turned out.

Sumpin Else

2009-02-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

This is another awesome shop on Etsy http://www.sumpinelse.etsy.com/

They are a custom gift making business that specializes in photo frames, mini album, coasters, boxes, cards and many more items.

How cute is this!! A tooth box for a little girl!
This is one of the many picture frames

2009-02-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

Weekend project! Laminated wood Salt and Pepper shakers.

What a fun project! Love working with wood!

Our Pictured Rocks Visit September 2008

2009-02-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a beautiful park located on the south shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It has absolutely breathtaking views. We plan to go up here at least once a year. Please click on the pictures for a better look.

We went on a 10 mile hike that day. The weater was great, it was in the mid 80's and sunny! Perfect 4 day weekend!

Our Dog Ursa

2009-02-03T13:32:00.001-08:00

She is a Chow/Lab Mix. She adopted us when we lived in North Carolina. One day she showed up in our driveway. We thought she would go home by the time we got home from work. Well she never did, so now it has been 5 years and love having her.

Morris my Cat!

2009-02-03T09:48:00.001-08:00

We got our cat from our Veterinary office one day when we had to take our dog in. She rescued about 30 cats from one house. Morris jumped up onto the table with Ursa (our dog) and I knew then I was taking this one home! Our dog really accepted him right away, and are great pals!

He loves to hide his face when he is sleeping, don't know how he can breath.

A few wood turning projects

2009-02-01T10:32:00.000-08:00

Some past items from my shop on Etsy http://pjturner.etsy.com/

Pens, desk sets, bottle stoppers and other projects. All hand creafted on a wood lathe

TURNING A BLUE DYMONDWOOD PEN

2009-02-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

Before and after

My husband and I share craft shop space.

HOW I GOT STARTED

2009-02-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

My late Father-in-law got me started in making pens. He was a master craftsman in machining and wood turning. A great teacher! First time I saw his pens I was hooked. Some of my knowledge came from hands-on working with wood and books.

I have always been interested in crafts. I have painted in oils and watercolor, crocheted, done ceramics, and I used to do Tole painting, which required working with wood by cutting out my own projects. This, and seeing some of my late father-in-laws’ hand turned pens, led to my interest in wood turning. I take pride in my projects and enjoy the pens and bottle stoppers that I make, from start to finish. I have a very supportive husband (who does machining), and is a big help, especially for setting up for shows.