Beth Ireland earned her undergraduate Fine Arts degree from the State University College at Buffalo, and an MFA in sculpture from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She has been running her company, Beth Ireland Woodworking since 1983. Her business provides woodworking with a specialization in architectural and artistic woodturning. She has received three Windgate fellowships. Beth teaches the Professional Woodturning Intensive at The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, as well as programs at craft schools around the country. Beth lives and works in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
My work reflects my life as a professional craftsman and artist. I have always loved the meditative act of turning a pile of balusters, newel posts, columns, or bowls. I am enthralled with the meaning we place on objects, whether it is a trinket given by a loved one that becomes magic through time and memory, a tool that performs a function, or an archeological object that reflects the life and skill of a maker from another time. These investigations inspire me to create. I am committed to promote the act of making in our culture and see empowering people through teaching as another aspect of creating.
Web: bethirelandstudio.com bethireland.net
Instagram: @thebethisyettocome
Demonstrations
Turning Outside the Box
This demo integrates the Lathe and the bandsaw to create a variety of boxes and decorative platters. Attendees will learn to construct a bandsaw box that can be turned on the lathe in a variety of ways. Strategies for form and decoration will be discussed. The rotation will end with participants learning how to take these techniques and utilize them to make creative platters that look like inlay. bandsaw safety and will be stressed. This demo is geared toward all levels.
Turning With Your Mind
Do you want to be more creative with your work? What is good achieving a certain skill level if you do not know what you want to make? This demo demystifies the creative process through slide presentation and audience participation. Beth will break down the creative process into an easy to understand 5 column chart you can go to anytime you need to come up with and unique idea. It is so much easier than you think, learn the secret of the creative process. This demo is great for all levels.
Turning and Carving
Did you ever wonder how to carve leaves, make spirals or repeat carved patterns on your bowls and spindles? Carved patterns can be the perfect addition to any, bowl, box or spindle. This demo lays out the order of marking, holding and carving different patterns on your turned objects. Carving tools and sharpening will also be covered.
Tricks of Architectural Turning
This demo shows the tricks and techniques I have developed over 4 decades of architectural woodturning. An intro to proper spindle techniques, replicating strategies, sharpening, helpful gadgets and ways to hold work will be discussed.
Turn and Print
This demo introduces turning as a way to create cylinders to print paper and fabric. Print making with a cylinder requires a smooth accurate cylinder or cone. This demo introduces ways of turning a perfect cylinder as well as carving techniques utilizing the lathe, carving tools and everyday tools from the shop. Appropriate paper and inks are discussed, and a print is created.
