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Turning a Cowboy Hat from Green Wood with Kevin Felderhoff

Meeting Date Changes: Due to scheduling issues, the May Show & Tell will be held on Thursday May 14th and the Demo/Meeting will be held on Thursday May 21st. This change is for May only. Please check your email notices and reminders for all dates, times and locations.

Thursday May 21^st
Hybrid: Live at NCSU Crafts Center and by Zoom Broadcast
Zoom call opens a 6:15 for socializing
Meeting begins at 6:45 PM
Demonstration begins at 7 PM

Join us for an exciting demonstration of the art of turning a mini wood cowboy hat and learning the techniques for a full-sized hat with renowned woodturner, Kevin Felderhoff!

WGNC is thrilled to host Kevin Felderhoff for his "Cowboy Hat" demonstration. Kevin will be sharing his unique process for creating these beautiful turned hats. This is a must-see for anyone interested in green woodturning and learning advanced shaping techniques.

What You Will Learn:

Kevin will demonstrate the steps and techniques used to create a full-size wood hat and will perform a live demo of turning a mini wood cowboy hat that better fits within the meeting timeframe.

He will highlight the incredible skill of turning the green wood thin enough to allow for bending and shaping the hat. He will explain the crucial bending process and how the hat's shape is held until it dries. This will allow members to see the entire process—from shaping the green wood to achieving a finished form—come together during the demo.

About the Demonstrator:

Kevin Felderhoff is a highly respected woodturner, known for his beautiful and innovative work, including his signature wood cowboy hats, wood-turned footballs, and flying-winged vases. He is also an instructor at the prestigious John C. Campbell Folk School.
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Master the Lathe: A Rare Opportunity with Yann Marot

- Wednesday & Thursday June 10th & 11th.
9AM to 5PM
- NC State Crafts Center

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN - Click here.

Woodturners, mark your calendars for June 10th and 11th. WGNC is hosting a two day intensive workshop featuring Yann Marot, an internationally recognized master of the craft. Known for his elegant forms and signature texturing, Marot offers a rare opportunity for turners to elevate their technical precision and artistic vision.

Two Days, Two Masterpieces

The workshop is structured to push your technical boundries and your design sensibilities through two distinct projects.

Day One: The Roped Bowl
Focusing on the harmony between texture and form, you’ll learn the secrets behind Marot’s famous "rope" texture. Beyond the aesthetic, the day covers essential fundamentals, including tool sharpening, base finishing on a wood chuck, and the art of self-critique to ensure perfect balance and proportion.

Day Two: The Raindrop Box

The second day pivots to advanced spindle and end-grain work. Participants will dive into the "Raindrop Box," a project that explores back-hollowing techniques and delicate ring inlays. You’ll also learn how to execute fine scratch texturing to add an elegant, professional finish to small-form vessels.

Why Attend?

This isn't just a demonstration; it’s a hands-on deep dive. Whether you are looking to master tool control for a cleaner surface or want to incorporate more "contrast" into your work through innovative textures, these sessions are designed to provide immediate results.

The workshop runs from 9 AM to 5 PM at the NC State Crafts Center. Given Marot’s international reputation, seats are expected to fill quickly.

Reminder, registration is now open. Register now.

Don’t miss the chance to learn from a master and transform your approach to woodturning.

AAW 2026 Symposium Dates, Locations and Information

AAW 2026 Symposium
June 4-7, 2026
Raleigh, NC at the Raleigh Convention and
Performing Arts Center

The AAW Symposium is less than a month away! For WGNC Members and woodturners around the world, this is the event of the year and it is right here in Raleigh.

An event like the AAW Symposium is a great place to learn from the best turners, meet folks from every corner of the earth, see and purchase all the latest tools and equipment and pay it forward by volunteering to help in the many areas required to support an event such as this.

Please use the button below to go to the AAW website where you can register, become a Symposium Volunteer, check out the Demonstration Schedule, and much more.
AAW Symposium Website

If you haven't already, signup today for the AAW Symposium and use the WGNC Symposium Discount. To get either the "in person" Symposium or the "virtual" Symposium discount code, click here: DISCOUNT.

Not an AAW member? Interested in learning more about the AAW and becoming a member? Click here.

Symposium Volunteer Opportunities

We need your help! If you are interested in being a volunteer at the AAW Symposium, then click on the link below to find out how to sign up. No special skills required and you may volunteer for as few as a couple of hours of your time to become part of this event.
AAW Volunteer Sign Up Info

And in other news:

New Videos:
The May Demonstration and Show and Tell videos will be available for viewing soon.

New Galleries:
The May Show and Tell Gallery photos are now available for viewing Click here

Breakout: Exploring Ebonizing with David Chapin

On Saturday, October 25, David Chapin lead a great breakout session at Ted Ross's shop where he explored ebonizing with participants. David discussed the basics first and then showed the many variables that can affect the final result on ebonizing.

This was a hands on session where participants experimented on their own pieces.

Thanks to David Chapin for this fascinating breakout and to Ted Ross who hosted the breakout in his shop..

Breakout: Women in Turning

Can you hear us now? The WIT breakout session was a "sound" event on Saturday, January 24th. This breakout, hosted by Ted Ross, encouraged the ladies to design and create their own "Cell Phone Speaker" turning. Another succesful breakout by the ladies!

Breakout: Comments

Below are a few comments regarding the "Let it Burn!" breakout:

Lars Nyland:

Great day yesterday watching all of you burn your pieces! The transformations were amazing!

I was shocked at the end of the day how much carbon had accumulated in the rinse water; I've never seen anything like it.

Here is a link to the slides I made. If you care to, you can take some time to look into each artist and the techniques they use.

Stephan Moll:

Thank you very much for having hosted such a wonderful breakout session. Not only was Lars” presentation great and relevant, but opening your workshop for us, the setup outside, the cookies and donuts - it all made for an educational, worthwhile, well organized, fun and peaceful day. The great weather, of course, helped, too.

David Chapin:

Today was a great day. Lars, it was wonderful to get the benefit of your experience, combined with a chance to experiment for ourselves.

Thanks so much!!

Karl Koch:

Thank you for sharing with us today Lars! I have been thinking about all the new ideas that I was exposed to today. And thank you Ted for hosting us in your shop and yard!

It was a good day! Which is never something to be taken for granted.

Much appreciated,