Planning ahead...

Well, the long school summer holiday is getting close to its final week - it's GCSE results today, and I'll be heading off to school later this morning to see how my students did. Fingers crossed!

It seems a bit premature to be thinking about next year's summer holiday before this one has even finished, but I'm excited to be one of the demonstrators at Chestnut Products' first ever Woodturning Weekender event. This is to celebrate being in business for over 25 years. Details are still being released about all the demonstrators, but you can find out all about the event here. So far, apart from yours truly, Emma Cook, aka the Tiny Turner, is also demonstrating. I saw her demonstrate at UKIWS so I know how excellent she will be. It's on the first weekend of August 2019.

I often imagine I'll get days of shed time over the summer holiday and spend hours trying out new ideas and techniques. The reality is often different though.....I seem to forget about the 'holiday' part meaning I'll be away from home for a large part of the time. This year, I was able to spend a couple of weeks in Italy and Austria walking up, down and across mountains. The landscape was spectacular and has started the thought processes going for new colouring and texturing ideas. Watch this space....

Innsbruck...how can this view be anything other than inspiring?

I spent the start of the school break clearing up my workshop and getting better organised. Hopefully this will make shed time more enjoyable when the school term starts again and turning time becomes precious. Very little turning has been done recently. I've managed a small bud vase and an oak box so far. Not a lot of output for a month!

I'm also thinking about my next demo, in September at Cheam Woodturners. It will, of course, focus on colouring and texturing - surprise, surprise. If you can come along, it will be great to see you. There'll also be some more exciting news, for me at least, next month, so watch this space!