Charlestowne Woodturners Club is on a mission to bring the art of woodturning to the Lowcountry. Woodturning is a form of woodworking using a wood lathe (similar to a vertical potter’s wheel) to cut and shape wood to craft handmade wood pieces for kitchenware, jewelry, furniture, and pure artistry.
The group is currently around 40 members, says Jack Higgins, member and head of publicity for the Charlestown Woodturners Club. Higgins began taking woodturning lessons back in 2012, and has been with the club for 8 years.
“It’s a fun hobby. I’ve made lots of Christmas presents and keepsakes for friends,” says Higgins.
The Charlestowne Woodturners Club meets once a month–always on the third Wednesday night of each month–at Hostetler Custom Cabinetry on James Island (located at 403 Fleming Rd., Charleston SC 29412). Each meeting is held from 6 pm to 9 pm, bookended with social time. (The club notes that meetings start at 6:30 PM.) Annual dues are $40.
“Our goal is to increase membership,” adds Higgins, who notes current members are of all ages and backgrounds. “We meet once a month, and usually have a demonstration. People bring in their projects to show and tell what they have been working on lately and come to learn new skills. Many members also swap wood, bringing in extra wood they have.”
The club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and charitable organization.
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Wig stands
We decided as a club to become a charitable organization about four years ago,” says Higgins. “Our club has partnered with the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center to donate wig stands made by club membership. We work with Woodcraft Supply as well as other military support organizations to provide pens for our troops. The club sets up booths at local fairs/events where the public, for a small fee, pay to turn two pens. They keep one and the other is donated to our troops.”
Higgins adds that the club donates handmade items to other charities for them to use in auctions to raise funds.
“We recently partnered with the Lowcountry Land Trust to provide items for their fall auction,” he says. “Some club members have donated individually to support other not for profit organizations, such as the South Carolina Aquarium and Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach.”
For more information, you can reach out to the club via email at charlestonwoodturners@gmail.com.
