Bees, Beginnings, and Bowls
When my father passed away, I found myself standing in his woodworking shop, surrounded by tools I barely knew how to use and projects he would never finish. Cleaning up his shop was both practical and emotional. Every drawer and dusty shelf held memories. One machine, in particular, both intrigued and intimidated me: his lathe. I had no idea how begin learning how to use it.
At the time, my main passion was beekeeping. I spent most of my spare time tending the hives that my husband and I continue to maintain, and learning everything I could about bees. My mentor in beekeeping, David Jones, happened to also be a woodturner. On a whim, I asked him if he would teach me how to use the lathe. I had no idea how complicated woodturning really was—or how much time it would require. Looking back, I’m sure he was at least a little horrified at the prospect of such a commitment!
Instead of trying to teach me himself, David suggested I attend the Chapel Hill Woodturners’ Learn to Turn sessions, which are held every Friday. I gathered up my father’s turning tools, loaded them into my car, and showed up, nervous and unsure of what to expect.
That decision changed everything.
From the moment I walked in, I was met with kindness, patience, and encouragement. Frank Penta took me under his wing and guided me through my first experience at the lathe. That very day, I made my first turning, felt the shavings fly, and discovered a craft that immediately captivated me.
What I didn’t expect was the sense of community. The Chapel Hill Woodturners welcomed me not just as a beginner, but as a friend. From the very beginning, those Friday sessions became a highlight of my week. I learned skills, gained confidence, and slowly began to understand the beautiful complexity of shaping spinning wood. Along the way, I also found a group of people who would become some of my closest friends.
Woodturning started as a way to connect with my father’s tools and his memory. It grew into something much more: a creative outlet, a source of constant learning, and a community that feels like home. I’m grateful to David for pointing me in the right direction, to Frank for his patience and guidance, and to the entire Chapel Hill Woodturners group for welcoming me so warmly.
Sometimes, the best journeys begin when you simply say yes to something new—especially when you have no idea where it might lead.