Phil came to stay last weekend. Having taken to wood turning like a duck to water when he first tried, naturally he wanted to have a go again. (I, of course, expect everyone who tries their hand at turning to love it but suprisingly not everyone does.) When I asked Phil what he’d like to turn he said “mushrooms and earrings”. I was delighted at this. Something a bit different – where he could choose the design as they weren’t something I’d been making for ten years unlike the bowls. Years ago I’d made mushroom shaped nightlights and boxes where the top was the cap of the mushroom but I’d never made ornamental mushrooms or any type of jewellery.

Both Phil and I did a bit of research and he decided to go for mushrooms with a wide base to keep them stable – with a natural edge to the cap there is no guarantee they will be evenly balanced enough for a narrow stem so they would end up having to be put into another base.

In very little time Phil had turned 5 mushrooms of varying woods and slightly different designs – each having its own character. He then turned a larger one to go in the garden.

Time was now running short so Phil turned his hand to the earrings. This meant introducing him to different tools and different techniques. I pointed out that the greatest difficulty with turning a pair of earrings was the word “pair”. So we also looked at ways to help make a pair such as templates and callipers – also keeping in mind that handmade should allow for a slight variation. I chose Laburnam for Phil to turn as it is a close grained wood that is pretty and will take a high polish. Phil turned a pair of drop earrings with a simple but elegant shape. I would have been proud to wear them. Unfortunately we didn’t have the “findings”(what strange jargon! – meaning all the bits and bobs that would turn them into a pair of earrings) so I haven’t as yet seen them complete.

Turning Mushrooms, Phil’s View

The last time I visited Roni I turned a few bowls.  I loved it, although a source of heat in the workshop would be nice.  Anyway I was keen to do some more turning.  The question was what should I try to make?  I would like to turn some more bowls but I also wanted to extend my understanding of working on a lathe.  The answer was to try something entirely different, so I came to making jewellery and turning mushrooms.  My reasoning was simple, I like jewellery and have contemplated making it the past.  I had thought about making  steam punk items, there is something about the look that draws me to it.  The other thing that came to me was turning mushrooms.  They look good, are varied in their shapes and sizes and each one would be different.  Perfect.

Roni was supportive, as usual.  She also did say that jewellery would not be easy. The items are small, need to be balanced and well finished.  I should have listened to her.  I did make a pair of nice drops, but the frustration!  She started me off by practicing on a small piece of wood making some fine and delicate cuts and curves.  Me, being me, just wanted to get on with it!  If you ever want to start wood turning jewellery take my advice, practice and practice. Once you have mastered the techniques of creating good, precise curves and shapes then start making jewellery.

Getting the drops to be balanced took time, but it was worth it.  At one point I thought that I would just give up.  However, Roni made a cup of coffee and I had a cigarette.  I went back to it and under her guidance I finished them!

The mushrooms.  Well, I loved making them.  I am still in awe of what Roni does.  She sees the bowl in the wood and draws it out.  I began to understand how she feels when she looks at a piece of wood, not that I am claiming any of her talent, quite the reverse actually.  I just had a slight feeling of what it is that she does.  She gave me a branch and said “what does the mushroom in that look like?”  I looked and began to see the mushroom.  She said fine, then do it.

By the end of my stay I was planning where I could set up my own workshop in the garage!  I was also checking what excess equipment Roni has that I might be able to “borrow”.  I am sure that, after the workshop is set up, the first time I have piece of wood set up will be nerve racking.  What will be most nerve racking is not having Roni stood there to say that I can do it, make a calming cup of coffee and say something encouraging.

Thank you Roni.  Now, the next time I come down what I want to make is………………………