One of the things which surprises many woodturners is the expression of wonder on the faces of those who see the objects that even a novice turner can make.
This, coupled with the need for the beginner to develop new skills allows for a secondary but wonderful joy in woodturning, the building of the woodturner's gift box.
Beginners have a couple of choices in methods of developing woodturning skills, exercises and projects.
Of course this is neither an exhaustive nor a definitive list, but for all intents and purposes works well.
Exercises encourage the learning of cuts, stances and results through repetitive work on wood that ends up as shavings and kindling.
While it has its place in the education of all woodturners it can be a boring process after a short time.
Beginner projects are called such because they are simple to do in that they typically require little amounts of wood and call for basic cuts and procedures.
At the same time they allow for the learning of basic skills that will be of use in later and more complicated procedures.
The nature of the projects implies that they will be of most use if the same undertaking is repeated a number of times, with the intention that each is better than the one preceding, thus indicating a learning curve.
The benefit of learning by project is having a series of finished objects that can be compared so as to determine the learning curve and to see areas needing improvement.
In addition there is the satisfaction of having a number of useful and decorative objects.
This may also be a problem in some cases but one with an excellent solution.
Take for instance the lowly candlestick.
It can make a great beginner project that incorporates both spindle and faceplate work as well as assembly and glue up processes.
It also teaches the turning of straight lines, beads and coves, the standards of the woodturning repertoire.
Once one turns ten, twenty or fifty the first one or two may seem fit for the kindling box while the rest are more than ready for display.
The question may then be, what does one do with fifty or even twenty candlesticks? An excellent answer is the woodturner's gift box, a place to store most of those duplicates for friends and family who so admire the touch of the maker's hand.
There is a satisfaction in giving away a gift that has first gifted the giver with pleasure of making and joy of learning, that is difficult to measure.
For many a woodturner the enjoyment of making an object is only matched by the pleasure of giving it to someone who appreciates the finished work.
The art and craft of woodturning is added to with the pleasure giving and the satisfaction of seeing a work well received and used.