Creating Small Projects with Rita Duxbury and Norm Cloutier
- Thursday October 13th
- Hybrid: Live at NCSU Crafts Center and Broadcast via Zoom
- Zoom call opens a 6:15 for socializing
- Meeting begins at 6:45 PM
- Demonstration begins at 7 PM
Please join us for our annual Small Projects Demonstration Meeting.
We are very excited to have two of our own members perform these demonstrations and share their talents, processes and techniques. These small projects are easy to make and are great as gifts anytime of the year!
The fascination with lighthouses throughout the world is difficult to explain. It may be the stories connected to the lives of the lonely lighthouse keepers, the haunting tales of pirates and shipwrecks along the rocky coastlines, or the wonderful memories of spending the summer at the beach with family. Whatever it is, lighthouses have a mystic that continues to captivate the imagination. These make interesting gifts and also are very saleable.
During this demonstration Rita will show how to take the limb of a tree and turn it into a decorative Lighthouse. The size may vary depending on the wood selection and use. The demonstration will employ wood approximately 4" diameter x 12" tall. This is a basic spindle turning with the use of green wood, enhanced by leaving the bark as a base. Rita will also show many tips, tricks and short cuts that could be incorporated in other turning projects such as layout, indexing, precision hand drilling and possible finishes.
Soon you will see the light.
Just take some left over spindle scraps and fake fur and you've got the makings for a favorite -- Gnomes.
Norm will be showing us how he goes about making the Gnomes that are a favorite at shows, exhibits and as small gifts.
This is a perfect project for your 1.5"-2" diameter spindle cutoffs, 4"-8" in length.
Ideal for mini lathes, this project just requires a little imagination. You basically turn a hat and a head -- with no face detail since it will be covered completely with the "beard."
The noses are turned from some 1/2-3/4" scrap pen blanks or similar sticks, often colored with a magic marker and made in bunches. The faux fur comes in many crazy colors and can be purchased at a fabric store or found on Amazon.
For the smaller ones (<5") you can add an eye hook and hanger to make them ornament-ready. But, they also work just fine sitting on a shelf or window sash.
Rita Duxbury, a Massachusetts native, now resides in Graham, North Carolina. With 40+ years as an educator coupled with 21 years as a US Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer, Rita has traveled the world, always ready for a new adventure.
With an interest in woodturning, a keen appreciation for the beauty and qualities of wood, and with the mentoring of her husband, Jim, she has advanced from sweeping sawdust to creating her own unique wooden pieces.
Rita and Jim frequently present demonstrations at woodturning clubs, symposiums and workshops throughout the US and Internationally.
Norm Cloutier is a long-time member of WGNC.
He has served as President and VP and is currently serving as a member of the WGNC Board as well as Event Coordinator.
When not busy with WGNC business, Norm teaches a variety of classes for all levels of woodturners.
You will frequently find Norm at both the Cary and NCSU craft centers.