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Click on any image to see a larger version.
I have been a hobby woodworker all of my adult life and have completed numerous hardwood projects,
including grandfather clocks, which I made for my three married sons. About 10-12 years ago I bought a
Mini Lathe
and
have never looked back. Now woodturning is my first love.
I am a member of the Capitol Area Woodturners club, near Washington D.C. Here, I have obtained
invaluable guidance and advice from experienced members and professional demonstrators.
I find each woodturning project to be both a challenge and a joy. I attempt to turn each piece to
enhance its beauty and highlight the natural affects that occurred to the wood as the tree grew. Such
things as unique wood grain, insect damage, wind stress, and voids make for interesting pieces.
I have a small shop in the unfinished part of my basement in Annandale, Virginia. Although it is too
small and my wife has to put up with a lot of dust, we make it work for us.
Below are some of my projects:
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10.5" x 6.5" Spalted Maple Hollow Form
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The maple log in the project above was rescued from the firewood pile. The piece had a small rotten center and voids
throughout, which made it a challenge to turn.
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Azalea Nest on a Maple Plaque
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The Azalea root ball was envisioned as an artistic bowl, but it was too small. As a result, it became a wall
plaque. The eggs are blue-stained maple.
As shown by the second picture above, this segmented maple and cherry hollow form contains a hidden ring
cup.
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5" x 5" Burled Maple
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In the project above, note the crosscut walnut shell stabilizing the crack.
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13" x 24" Hollow Form Family
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This series was turned from a maple tree figured by the ambrosia beetle. By looking closely you can see
the beetle marks on each of the three pieces. Generally, evidence of ambrosia beetle marks are not
known until after the tree has been cut.
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15" x 10" Assorted Hardwoods
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The flower hardwoods include maple, walnut, cherry, and purple heart. Note that the maple stems were steamed
and pressed in a form to make the curves. Everything is mounted on a cherry log.
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Assorted Hardwood Nesting Boxes
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Note that all the boxes (each made from a different hardwood) fit together into the largest box. This piece is
called "Nesting Boxes on the Stairway to Heaven."
Mark can be reached directly via email at
wdwkheat@gmail.com
. You can view more of his work by visiting his
Instagram Page
.
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