The sun shone brightly over the Santa Cruz mountains in January 2025 as 17 enthusiastic woodturners from SVW and WBW clubs gathered at Dennis Lillis’s woodturning shop for an unforgettable sawdust session. Dennis expertly organized the event, which brought together a mix of beginners and experienced woodturners, all united by their passion for turning beautiful pieces.
A special thank you to Dylan, who lent a helping hand in processing the wood and distributing it among the attendees. Most participants left with a treasure trove of wood from Dennis’s generous pile, eager to start their next project. This kind gesture set the tone for a day filled with camaraderie, learning, and creativity.
The highlight of the session was a comprehensive sanding lesson courtesy of Dennis. He had pre-turned two stunning large salad bowls, perfect demonstration pieces. With meticulous attention to detail, Dennis walked the group through turning both the outside and inside of the bowl, sharing his expertise on various sanding strategies and techniques. The attendees were also treated to a behind-the-scenes look at how Dennis stores his sandpaper, complete with brand recommendations and a clever trick for punch-cutting sandpaper into smaller pieces.
Dennis provided a warm welcome with coffee and donuts to fuel the creative energies, which was greatly appreciated by all. As the group explored the woodturning shop, they were impressed by the efficient setup, which offered valuable insights for beginners on optimizing their own workspaces.
The day’s festivities continued with a lunch break at the charming Summit Store, where a few of us gathered on the patio to enjoy the picturesque view of the redwood forest. The sunny weather and pleasant company made for a delightful interlude, allowing everyone to relax and get to know each other better.
The event reminded me of sawdust sessions we had years ago at Jim Lafflin’s shop in Saratoga and Bob Bley’s shop in Menlo Park. Events like this sawdust session and woodturning shop tour are a testament to the benefits of being part of our local woodturning clubs. They provide a unique opportunity for members to learn from each other, share knowledge, and forge lasting connections.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dennis for hosting this fantastic event and to Dylan for his assistance. We can’t wait for the next gathering to reunite again to celebrate our shared passion for woodturning!
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