Born and raised in Tennessee, Elizabeth she first specialized in engineering, earning an M.S. in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In 2015 she began woodworking with her first creations including several pieces of furniture in the Arts and Crafts style, but she eventually turned to smaller objects and now specializes in bowls, spoons, and boxes. Her skills range from natural finish and simple forms to highly carved and painted forms that emulate natural motifs. Elizabeth teaches woodturning around the country and was awarded the American Association of Woodturner’s 2023 Professional Outreach Program’s Artist Showcase.
Web: icosawood.work
Instagram: @icosa_woodworks
Demonstrations
Flow and Form: Carving a Wave/Leaf Motif
In this presentation, we’ll explore how to interpret natural elements and incorporate those motifs into your turned objects. I’ll walk you through the tools, tips, and techniques for creating these designs, including layout strategies and methods. We’ll cover the use of rotary carvers and woodburners for surface embellishment, and look at different ways to bring color into your work using milk paint.
Beyond the Surface: Discovering Color and Texture
This demonstration will cover techniques for adding texture and carving to any turned piece. We’ll explore where to find inspiration, the value of using storyboards in your design process, and various workholding methods to support your carving. You’ll learn how to use both power tools and hand tools effectively to create carved and textured surfaces that enhance your work. In addition, we’ll briefly cover methods for adding color, such as milk paint and acrylics, as well as finishing options depending on the effect you want to achieve in your final piece.
From Green Wood to Turned and Embellished Boxes
In this demonstration, I’ll show how I start with green wood to rough-turn endgrain box blanks using a back hollowing technique, including tips for drying. I’ll guide you through turning a finished box from a pre-dried, hollowed out box blank, highlighting key details such as thickness, lid fit, and grain orientation. I’ll also demonstrate how I lay out designs and the tools I use for carving and adding texture to each piece.
Turning an Ogee Platter with a Textured Rim
In this demonstration, I’ll show how to turn a platter featuring a graceful ogee profile. We’ll discuss the importance of form and how to achieve a clean, elegant ogee shape using your tools effectively. The rim offers a canvas for creative exploration, where I’ll create a scale-like texture using carving, texturing, and painting to enhance the artistic impact of the piece.
