Your mentors

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edicehouse

edicehouse

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Jun 8, 2011
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Suffolk, VA
One of the guys at work and I were talking about mentors at work. That got me thinking about the pens, and I would have to say I have been lucky enough to have 2.

First is Jim (Corainking) bought some of my first kits off ebay from him and once and a while (sadly not lately) would stop in and we would spend a couple hours just shooting the breeze about pens, life, and anything else.

Second is Fred (Ptownsubbie) I have recieved a lot of information from him, and do owe a lot to him.

So who have been yours?
 
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Mesquiteman. There's ALOT of info in that pointy head of his. :biggrin:

I was also lucky enough to spend some time with Justin, haven't gotten the supplies to go down that kitless road yet.

Online there's a whole mess of great folks here that I would consider mentors.
 
WoodButcher does a lot of demos in our area and I have credit to him for getting me hooked on penturning after watching his demos at the local Rockler several times over the course of a year.
 
Don Ward(its_virgil) ultimately is who got me into penturning while at our local woodturning meeting. It only took him five months worth of meetings before he busted out that you could make pens on a lathe. Heck, I had no clue what you could do one of these machines at that time, I just knew i saw some really cool stuff being made and I wanted to learn how to make em too! HUGE thanks goes out to Don for his great friendship and knowledge he so willingly shared.
 
I would have to say each and every one here has contributed to my addiction. There are those I have spoken with on the phone and those who have shared lots of emails with. I have had several members send me Items at no charge to help me understand the concept of a method. I have had blanks sent as well when I started. I think the IAP is all mentors it just seems to me everyone is always giving and it never gets old. To each and everyone Thank You for your time and knowledge that you so freely share!!!
 
Mentors

Ultimatly, I was inspired to try pens after seeing some (many) pens from Les in Alberta. After I'd turned 40-50 I met OKLAHOMAN. His advise has been invaluable. Not to forget to mention all the other great minds on this wonderful site.
 
I am lucky enough to have three fantastic mentors who have hooked me into different areas of this vortex. The first is my dad (RichB). He started turning pens, and graciously taught me how to do it. The next person I met was Jeff Powell (workinforwood). What an imagination and brain full of creativity! He brought me down the road of blank creation. The third is Gary Nicholls (CaptG). He has taught me some creative ways to do things and shown me items beyond the pens. His generosity also never ceases to amaze me. Then there are the many people in this community who have taught me so much through combing through threads.
 
All but one of my mentors are dead. Infact they became my mentors after they were dead. I discovered them through their writings, images, and shows. Ansel Adams, Jim Henson, James Krenov, and my dad (he is the live one.

Krenov is the only woodworker.


Lots of inspiration here
 
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I had the pleasure of meeting Hans (Hewunch here on IAP) during my 2nd pen turning class. He was the instructor for the day and he really taught me the ins and outs of turning. We quickly became friends and I consider him one of my very best.
 
There are many members here who have been very helpful to me over the last three years, but three in particular deserve to be mentioned (and publically Thanked)

While I haven't had the pleasure of actually meeting them in person, Don Ward (a.k.a. its_virgil), George (a.k.a. Texatdurango), and particularly Andy (a.k.a. PenMan1) have always gone the extra mile in helping me to improve my pens! Thanks Gentlemen!
 
There are so many people who have taught me so many things! But hanging out with Rich (Kleinhenz) and Kurt (Hertzog) a few years back taught me a lot. I also have to credit both Dick Anderson and Bob Swartzendruber as taking a personal interest in my ability to turn a pen! Thank you, Gentlemen!

Scott.
 
I've had a few. In pen making there are two in particular, William Presavage and Lou Metcalf . In marketing of pens Steve Roberts. All three are no longer around the site and one shines down on us every day as he soars above.
 
Mine are my father who got me into woodworking and gave me the best tip I seen in pen turning yet. ( oddly he is the one who doesn't turn.) second is my middle school shop teacher from last two years. He was the one who showed me this way of live.
Lastly all of the guys here.
 
I don't have any mentors yet because I have only been turning for 3 months and haven't had an opportunity to meet any of you yet, but I have gotten so much knowledge from all the folks who take their time to answer perhaps the same old questions. This site is a wealth of information and I am mining it almost every day.

I do want to acknowledge one individual who has been my inspiration. I was hooked on segmentation from the first time I saw Tim's (wiset1) work. The scallop tutorial got me started and now I want to customize every blank in some way. It is pretty hard not to be overwhelmed while looking through his photo album. Thanks Tim!
 
Woodworking in general, was my grandfather. Who raised me and was also my mentor in life, and a neighbor I had growing up. Wayne, he had his own construction company and from Freshman year in high school I worked for him a lot on and off. Taught me things of how the proper was to do things, and my grandfather taught me how to get it done...LOL (yes there is a difference)
 
I started out 10 years ago on this journey. In the early years there were the folks over at Yahoo Penturners who got me beyond the basics of a slimline. I was inspired, encouraged and taught by notables Don Ward,Russ Fairfield, Rich Kleinhenz, Kurt Hertzog and the inspirational Pat Lawson. As I progressed beyond the slimline I encountered all those good folks at IAP who help me immensely....among them Roy Robaldo, Skiprat, George Butchard, Capt G, Ed Brown,John Underhill, Bruce Robbins. When these people spoke I listened and prospered. Today there are new and up coming artists that inspire me...Tim Wiset, Seamus Rooney and there will be more to come. However, Don Ward and Kurt Hertzog have been there all the way and continue to inspire and motivate me.There is one turner who I don't know but lived in Hawaii. His advice early in my career was to promote local woods and the people will support you. I have sold thousands of Nova Scotia birdseye maple and apple pens based on that simple advice. Thanks to all others who have helped me over the years.
 
penmaking mentors...everyone who posts here! Sales and Marketing mentors, Roy (oklahoman), Andy (PenMan1) and everything written by Steve Roberts. Without their guidance and input I would still be selling $25 pens at the church show (and there is nothing wrong with that if it works for you!!!!).
 
When I first started I found the Yahoo group and I learned from and listened to Rich Kleinhenz. Then I met Jay Pickens and was able to visit with him in person as I traveled through Ft. Worth, TX and we visited often and sti9ll do. Then there were several who helped at the Bubbasville meetings in Ft. Worth. I found Russ Fairfield's site and we started emailing and became good friends via the internet. I was fortunate to demo at the Utah Symposium at the same time as Russ and we solidified our friendship. We were able to visit a lot for those 4 days. That was in the spring and Russ passed at the end of that year. Dick Sing was another mentor via his books and we have become friends having met at several symposiums where we were both attending or demonstrating. Then the IAP came along and everyone here has offered both inspirational and technical help.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
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