- January: Magic Wand - think Harry Potter. Parameters: Must be at least 15" long but not longer than 17", be tapered along the whole length going from 1" to not less than 3/16" and the tip must not be sharp - please make these adult (and kid_ safe :-). One of the design elements must be a bead that appears to have the shaft tapering as it passes through it. No beading tools please - for this project that's cheating, finish of your choice. Be creative and have fun!
- February: Bring someone that might be interested in woodturning.
A friend, neighbor, child, grandchild, significant other, someone from church. The idea is to expose as many new people as possible to woodturning and its many possibilities. We want to expand the craft as well as the club's membership. Make sure when your guest signs in, your name is added beside theirs, so you get credit for meeting the challenge.
- March: Embellishments are the focus for this month. Turn a bowl, plate, platter or vase and add some sort of embellishments. It can be pyrography, carving, piercing, engraving, painting a design of some sort (No Basket illusion for this challenge - that will come later in the year). Use your imagination, be creative and maybe try something new. Most of all, have fun.
- April: Wig Stands. Keep within the guidelines we have been using for this ongoing project. You may add embellishment or artwork to your design just make sure it is tasteful and positive. All Stands must be sealed with several coats of polyurethane to provide a moisture barrier. All stands are to be donated to Lexington Medical Center's "Becky's Place" and to be given to cancer patients free of charge.
- May: Make a pair of toothpicks - no store-bought ones please. Parameters: finished length must be at least 2 3/4" long, less than 1/8" in diameter at its largest point. One end should be pointed and the other should have a small, coved detail near the other end. You can thank (or blame, LOL) Mike Weaver for this idea :-)
- June: Make a pair of offset candle sticks. Finished length must be at least 8". There must be at least 2 offset points. If you have never done any offset work and want to learn more check out Barbara Dill's YouTube channel, she is amazing.
- July: Turn a Wooden Apple. Finished dimension must be at least 2.5" at its widest point. Must be proportionally correct or at least reasonably close. Must have a stalk (stem) and a calyx (thing on the bottom of an apple). For inspiration/assistance see American Woodturner Magazine, December 2024 article by Richard Findley titled "Turn a wooden apple".
- August: Turn a Wooden Mushroom. Must be turned as one piece. Must have a pleasing proportional look to it when it is finished. Finished piece must have a cap that is between 2" and 5" in diameter. For inspiration/assistance see American Woodturner Magazine, February 2025 article by Asaf Peled titled "Turn a wooden mushroom".
- September: Basket Illusion. Can be a plate/platter, bowl or vase. Be creative with your design, try not to go cross eyed when coloring and most of all have fun.
- October: Pumpkins. Turn a family of pumpkins, Dad, Mom and 2 kids. Diameters must be between 2" and 4" at their widest part, Mom and dad must have different diameters but the kids can be the same height must be reasonably proportional to diameter. Segment indentations must be turned into your pumpkins. Must have a turned stem (hint: offsetting one end gives an interesting design). A simple finish is fine but feel free to paint, stain or decorate as you like (you could even get your spouse/kids/grandkids involved in the finishing).
- November: Turn 5 Christmas ornaments for the Epworth Children's Home paint kits (remember these are to be unfinished and sanded to about 120-180, remember these are going to be painted). They can be Christmas trees, Snowman, etc.). Turn at least one completed ornament to be placed on the Mann Tool Christmas tree to be sold to raise money for Epworth Children's Home.
- December: None
