Turn a Walnut Bud Vase - Beginner Woodturning Class

A one-day beginner-level group class at Main Street Studio, Charlton NY

Spend a full day at the lathe learning the craft of woodturning from the ground up — and leave with a finished, hand-turned bud vase of your own.

This class is built for beginners, but if you have some experience, you'll still get a lot out of the class as we share tips and techniques to take your turning to the next level. You'll get hands-on time at your own lathe while working alongside three other students, with plenty of individual guidance from instructor Jason Nemec throughout the day.

What we'll cover:

• The anatomy of the wood lathe, and how it works
• Lathe hazards, and the safety practices that protect you
• The essential spindle-turning cuts — peeling, slicing, and scraping
• Lathe tools: using the roughing gouge, spindle gouge, and parting tool
• Work-holding: how your piece is safely mounted and supported on the lathe
• Shaping your piece into a finished bud vase form
• Drilling the vase's flower-tube cavity
• Sanding and a food-safe, all-natural tung oil finish
• Time permitting: an overview of surface decoration options — including wire-burned accent line and woodburning (pyrography) demonstrations

You'll take home: a finished black walnut bud vase, made entirely by your own hand from local hardwood.

Who it's for: beginners — no prior woodworking or woodturning experience needed, and folks with some turning experience who wish to take their practice further. Ages 16+; students under 18 must have a parent or guardian present for the full class.

Class size: limited to 4 students, so everyone gets real time and attention at the lathe.

What's included: use of a lathe and tools, project wood, glass flower tube, safety equipment, finishing supplies, lunch (a simple sandwich platter from a local spot. Email jason@mainstreetcharlton.com with any dietary requirements), and light refreshments.

Format: One day, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, at Main Street Studio, 786 Charlton Road, Charlton, NY.

Price: $195 per person, materials fee and lunch included

About your instructor

Jason Nemec has been turning wood for almost 20 years and teaches woodworking at Main Street Studio, his converted-firehouse gallery and teaching space in Charlton, NY. His turned work — much of it finished with detailed carved and colored surfaces — has been shown, and sits in private collections across the US and Canada.