Demonstration by Emma Cook

Visit by Emma Cook, the Tiny Turner
Our November Club Night was a demonstration by Emma in which she turned the shaped spindles for a Christmas ‘bauble’ decoration. Indeed, the song from the 1950s musical Kismet came to mind as she fashioned beads, and coves, on the spindles to attach to a glass globe filled with a bangle of LEDs. Yes, you’ve guessed, ‘Baubles, bangles and beads’ but perhaps didn’t realise that the music was borrowed from the Russian composer Borodin. The evening started unhappily as Emma and her partner were involved in a shunt near Dechmont which wrote their car off. Undaunted and remarkably calm in the circumstances, she gave an accomplished demo, explaining clearly the steps, pitfalls and handy hints of the project as it evolved from a piece of padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii) about 8” x 1½” x 1½”. The LEDs, glass globe and ribbon can be bought from Emma (see https://www.facebook.com/TheTinyTurner/)

After a visit to St John’s A&E which ended around 1pm, Emma was up bright and early the following morning to run a masterclass in woodcarving. Once again, clear explanations and helpful hints abounded as the group chiselled its way to Celtic knots, fleurs de lis and oak leaves. The group was enthusiastic in its appreciation of the day which ended with an excellent tutorial on sharpening, which made the point that even although new tools appear to be sharp, they generally have not been sharpened properly. Emma left a couple of copies of her course book which covers many aspects of carving, including tool sharpening, and which can be consulted in the workshop.

After another demo to the Scottish Borders club on Sunday 25th, Emma and Roy made it back home safely in their hire car but were both still shaken and very stiff. However, while the Club enjoyed greatly their visit, it is probably one that they will want to forget. Mercifully, no serious personal injury occurred although both are still jolly stiff.