Home - Woodturners Guild of North Carolina

Tips, Tricks and Jigs & WGNC Holiday Social & Gift Exchange

Thursday December 12^th
NC State Crafts Center
(There will be no Zoom for this event)
Craft Center opens at 6:30 PM
Event begins at 7 PM

It's that time of year again. A time when we reflect on the year, give thanks and show our appreciation to the people that enrich our lives. During this season, there's no better way to show your appreciation than a handmade gift. While the items may be small or made from scrap wood sitting in our shop, it's the thought, time, energy and effort that is more valuable than anything found on Amazon, so please, join us in our annaul WGNC Holiday Gift Exchange.

In addition, we will also be sharing members "Tips, Tricks and Jigs". That's right, bring your favorite T,T, & J to share with the group. We will have tables setup for display and you will have the opportunity to explain, one on one, to your fellow members how, why and when you use your T,T & J. Is your jig too big. or do you need a different way to explain your tip or trick? No problem, just send us a photo ahead of the meeting and we will display the photo to the people in the room. See the submission instructions below.

And, to make this last event of the year even more fun, WGNC will provide refreshments and snacks, plus, there be a give away of three $50 gift certificates for Klingspor. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative, the best executed and the jiggiest. So, get started now and get ready to bring your best Tip, Trick or Jig with you to the Craft Center.

How it all works:

The Gift Exchange:
Bring any SMALL item you've made in your shop. It doesn't have to be holiday themed, made of expensive wood or be perfectly turned and smooth. You don't need to be a professional turner.. just bring something handmade by you that you would like to share with a fellow woodturner.

You can wrap your item in wrapping paper or a brown paper bag or aluminum foil. Just wrap it in something non transparent and without any markings on the outside indicating who made it. (Feel free to put your name on the inside so your fellow Turner will be able to thank you). Bring the wrapped item to the Craft Center on Dec 12th and place it on the gift table. When you place the gift on the table you will receive a raffle ticket indicating you've participated in the exchange. Hold on to that ticket because we'll use that number to call you up when it's your turn to pick a gift from the table.

Tips, Tricks and Jigs:
It's easy! All you need to do is bring your Tip, Trick or Jig to the Craft Center or submit a photo or two of the Tip, Trick or Jig you want to share. Then, during the evening your item will be shared with all to see and you will be given an opportunity to explain your Tip, Trick or Jig and answer any questions other members might have. Please note that since this is a live event only, members submitting photo entries must be present at the Craft Center in order to present and discuss their Tip, Trick or Jig.

So, do you have a Tip that has made something in the shop better? Or maybe you've got a Trick that allows you to get that special effect or shape. Oh, and that Jig that you can't live without, no matter what it is, if it is a Tip, Trick or Jig, come show it and share it!

For complete details, Click here..

Please Note: The December Monthly Show & Tell Session has been Cancelled

This year, because the Christmas holidays fall only a few days after our normal Show and Tell date, WGNC has choosen to cancel the December Show and Tell session.

Show and Tell sessions will resume beginning on January 16th, 2025.

WGNC would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season!

Accordion Widget

Emerging Turner Resources

Part of the learning process for every turner is to be exposed to all the questions and answers other turners have already experienced. Because when you are first starting out you might not even know what questions to ask, you just are eager to get started and see the chips fly!

Here are some of the questions that might emerge:

· What lathe and tools do I need as a beginner?

· How do I sharpen tools and how often?

· If I don't have a lathe, can I rent one?

· What wood should I start out using?

· What speed should I turn at?

· Are there any safety concerns I need to be aware of?

· Are there woodturning classes available?

· Is there someone who can guide me on this journey?

......and the list grows as your adventure begins with woodturning. It is for these reasons that WGNC has created the "Emerging Turner" section of our website.

To explore the “Emerging Turner” sections just select any of the eight menu items found in the “Emerging Turner Resources” menu.

As a starting point, we suggest you take a look at “New Member Resources”. This page gives you an overview of all the sections and links to each section. To review, click here.

Accordion Widget

Breakout Sessions

Check Out WGNC Breakout Sessions

WGNC continues to host high quality Breakout Sessions with subjects that members are finding very useful and interesting.

As many of our members know, we've enhanced the value of these sessions to members by adding a coordinator to help identify topics, hosts and schedules that are aligned with the interests of members.

As Session details are confirmed, the information will be posted on this site so that a members can look at available subjects and the associated details, and then when a topic of interest is found, simply click on the button to sign up.

Breakout sessions are generally free of charge and are offered on a first come first serve basis. Scheduled sessions will be created as "Events" and will show up on the Home Page in the "A Look Ahead" table, on the "Events Calendar" and on the "Breakout Session" selection under the "Resources" menu .

To learn more about:

- How to join a breakout session

- How to Host a breakout session

- Review the Breakout Session Schedule

Click here.

Accordion Widget

Women In Turning

Women in Turning Breakout Sessions

These Breakout Session are intended for WGNC Women Turners where they have an opportunity to get together each month and share various aspects of turning. The topics will change each month and will be determined by the session participants. Topics will not be soley oriented to turning but can encompass other areas of interest like sharpening, tool choice, embellishments, finishing etc.

The sessions are scheduled each month, usually on the Saturday after the monthly demonstration. To sign up and/or check availability, look in the "A Look Ahead" section on the Home page for session days. You can go to the event for more information by clicking on the Day/Event listed.

Accordion Widget

Bull City Woodshop

The Bull City Woodshop

Woodturning Volunteers Needed

Pass your skills, knowledge, and passion for woodturning onto the next generation!

The Bull City Woodshop is looking for woodturners who can invest 2.5 hours per week into the lives of students in Durham County by instructing students through the Bull City woodturning curriculum developed by local turner Meryl Valnes.

Class times are Monday- Thursday 4:30 - 6:30pm and Monday AND Thursday 1:00 - 3:00pm

Contact Andrea for more information! bullcitywoodshop@gmail.com 919-433-7389

And in other news:

Women inTurning Breakout Sessions
Session #1 of the WIT took place on October 12th. By all accounts, these ladies had an informative and creative Saturday. As a first project they made Garden Dibbers. Looks like there are already for Spring 2025 bulb planting.

The next session will be held Saturday November 21st.

WGNC T-Shirts available for sale:
T-Shirts are available to members at any in-person Demonstration or Show and Tell event.
For full details, pictures and availability, please click here.