Any fellow woodturners on here

[Optimuswave]

A couple of years ago I was introduced to wood turning by a friend and have found I love it. Starting out with a lump of wood/log on the lathe and using chisels to take away the parts you don't want is just so much fun. All the turners I know are men and so I was wondering if there are any women turners on here. It would be nice to swap ideas, get feedback and have a chance to show your work. Attached is a bowl I made last weekend. Unfortunately I have no idea what type of wood it is but I love the grain.

No but this is something I really want to learn. I'll have to look for an evening class.

I didn't take lessons. My friend showed me how to hold the chisels and some safety tips but other than that I have used You Tube to learn. There are no classes anywhere local to me.

My husband is and he gave me a couple of lessons - I only managed to make this but really want to do more. Your bowl is beautiful.

Oh that is lovely Pwincessb. how big is it?
I do like to play with colour and am always after ideas. I made some tulips and painted them with an airbrush. It was a mix of turning and then some hand carving to create detail

Some gorgeous things on here. I have just started doing a bit of woodturning at a local workshop that offers some beginner instruction. All I have made so far are a couple of keyrings and similar, just doodling really to get a feel for what happens when you put chisel to wood.

I am the only woman attending on my allocated day so I know what you mean about the blokiness.

Of all the basic wood working techniques I have been introduced to, turning is easily the most compelling and potentially addictive. You can ditch the numbers and just feel your way through to the result that you want. I am very much looking forward to making a bowl and/or a vase in the future.

@Optimuswave those are amazing!! Mine is about 4 inches I'd guess. What I'd love to do is make jewellery but I think our lathe is too big for that

I don't think it really matters about the size of the lathe when it comes to making small things. You can buy chuck jaws in all sorts of sizes and combinations that would allow it. My lathe can turn up to 16" over the bed and 29" with the outboard rigger but I've also made pens and little 3" bud vases on it. The size of your chisels will probably be more important and there are micro ones on sale. I too find turning utterly addictive. It's my happy place and I could spend hours pottering. I have to be very disciplined to not let it take over and remember to spend time with my family.

And if something doesn't go quite right you can change what you're doing and make something else entirely.
I have become somewhat obsessed with wood and take my chainsaw in the back of the car in case I see some fallen wood or friendly tree surgeons who will let me have some logs. The hard part is being patient and waiting for them to dry

Oh - I hope I am not hijacking your thread - let me know if so & I will start another one . A good friend of mine has made me some little finials with his wood turning expertise but he said he finding the dying / staining difficult so I said I would do it. Could anyone recommend a really good wood stain. At the moment they are pale wood and they need to be dark brown.

I will start my own thread if not appropriate here but wondered if someone who does this sort of thing might have an opinion

Thank you