Why I Started Woodturning360 (And What Community Means for Makers)
Woodturning can be a solitary craft. There's beauty in that solitude – just you and the lathe, the quiet focus, the meditative rhythm of making. But craft also grows through connection, through seeing how others approach the same challenges.
In June 2020, during lockdown, when the turning community needed new ways to connect, I started Woodturning360. We meet online twice a month: professional demonstrations on the first Monday, open discussion on the third. Members from eleven countries, united by a shared passion.
What I've learned from running the club is that community isn't just pleasant, it's essential for growth. Watching how other turners solve problems expands your own toolkit. Sharing your struggles normalises the difficulties everyone faces. Celebrating others' successes reminds you that improvement is possible.
The experienced turner who's just solved a particular problem can help the intermediate turner who's just encountered it. A beginner's fresh perspective can prompt a question that prompts everyone to think differently. Learning flows in all directions.
"Community over competition" is a bit of a new philosophy for me. We're all on the same journey, just at different points along the path. The best way to move forward is to bring others with you. Teaching refines the teacher. Explaining something forces you to understand it more deeply yourself.
This is why I believe in sharing freely – the YouTube videos (nearly 300 now), the live streams, the demonstrations at clubs across the UK and beyond. The craft grows richer when knowledge circulates rather than hoards.
Woodturning360 costs £6 per month, less than a pint and a packet of crisps. Members receive a professional demonstration monthly, access to discussion sessions, and discounts on my paid demonstrations. No hierarchy, no competition, just turners helping turners.
Class Recommendation: Join Woodturning360 and find your community – or book a class at The Woodturning School to meet makers in person.
Book: https://www.woodturning360.com
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@msabansmith
Cross-Reference: Related: 'Community Over Competition' on The Woodturning School blog (Tuesday 17th February)