We have plenty of blanks (thank you George, and others) but we can always use kits. Simple kits that don't require tenons are best. We turn a lot of Sierras, cigars, patrizios, etc. We make a lot of slimlines, but just bought a bunch of slimline kits, so we are good there. We can always use slimline bushings...we go through them pretty fast...they get turned down because our turners don't know they are at the bushings until they hear the tool on metal. We could use letter opener kits....they are very popular. Niles bottle stoppers....the ones that stand up by themselves for display. CA glue and activator...thin and medium. Epoxy. These are the things we go through pretty fast.
Believe it or not, we are already starting to turn for Christmas! We only have two full time trainers and two lathes, and are down to turning only two days a week because we lost two of our trainers. One moved away and the other's vision finally became so bad he could no longer teach safely. I have three new trainees that are still teaching under supervision, but will be ready to open another turning day very soon. Two of them are sighted but with no previous woodworking experience,and one is visually impaired, but is an experienced turner. We are aiming for four days a week, 4 hours a day. Right now it is two days a week, with a three hour morning and afternoon session.
I just got out of the hospital with pneumonia, and I've only been back twice now. And my tail was really dragging by the end of the day. Tomorrow I am going to just have a morning session. Maybe next week I can be back full time.
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