46
WBM
YRON ROSBRUGH,
the WAWA presi-dent,
is a former
property devel-oper
who had no
woodworking skills
before he retired.
But he took to
woodturning like a duck to water.
Rosbrugh prefers to use salvaged wood,
especially spalted wood from diseased
or distressed trees, or wood with
wormholes.
He also loves to experiment and
repurpose wood.
“Panera Bread stirrers make great
teapot handles,” he says, pointing out
he only brings home the ones he has
used to stir his coffee.
The WAWA was founded in 2004
by a small group of artists. Its 127
members gather monthly for work-shops,
to exchange tips and tricks, and
grow in their craft.
“Our mission is to train our
members to be good woodturners,”
Rosbrugh says.
Some woodturners create products
good enough to sell, but most people
do it for the love of the craft.
“Someone once said, ‘To make a
small fortune woodturning, start with
a large one,’” 30-year veteran wood-turner
Jean LeGwin says.
The initial costs may seem daunting,
with startup costs of $1,000 or more.
However, many members will invite
you to come to their workshops and
try it for free. Beyond the basic equip-ment
similarities, every workshop is
different.
“Rosbrugh has a bigger shop
but I have a better view,” LeGwin
laughs. From her perspective, a
workshop with a picture window
overlooking Pages Creek wins hands
down.
Byron Rosbrugh’s gallery-quality
work includes various vessels
and platters, but he specializes
in teapots. Right: The tools of the
trade.
february 2018