Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage

by | Sep 25, 2026 | Misc

YEARLY PROJECT  –  Beads of Courage – turned in yearly in October/November

In 2025 we delivered over 60 boxes to the Beads of Courage program.  Our goal for 2026 is over 70 boxes!

We’re asking members to turn lidded boxes for children through the Beads of Courage program.  Through this program children receive unique beads that represent procedures or treatments during a serious illness.  For example, they might receive a red bead for each blood transfusion, a yellow bead for each night in the hospital, a star bead for surgery or a white bead for chemotherapy. Their collection of beads becomes a tangible record of their journey.  You can pick up a ceramic “Beads of Courage” bead to be inserted on the knob of your lid at the AWA monthly meetings or request from the treasurer.  Find out dimensions and more information below and at the Beads of Courage website. 

The club delivers boxes to the headquarters for them to disperse to children around the world.  Questions?  Contact Richard (Dick) Jones, AWA member and Vice President on the AWA Board.

Larry Jurgens

Larry Jurgens

by | Mar 10, 2026 | condolences, Misc

Larry Jurgens died on March 9, 2026. He battled heart problems for years, suffering his first heart attack at age 46. He had a great sense of humor about life.  He was ready to join his wife, Kaye, who passed several years prior.
Larry was very active in the Arizona Woodturners Club, creating unique turnings, mentoring and demonstrating.  He was always trying something new.  It was fun to see his latest work.  One of his last pieces was a large soccer ball for his grandson.  He had turned for many, many years and was very knowledgeable – always shared and willing to teach.
Services for Larry were at Sacred Heart Church in Aberdeen, SD, on Friday, March 13th at 10:30am.  

Larry’s obituary is here.

Dick and I were always amazed at all the turnings in his beautiful homes in both SD and Arizona.  He will be greatly missed.  Our dog, Annie, loved Larry – she is a great judge of character.

 

(click on a picture below for a larger image and slideshow)

Class in Vegas

Larry Tops Fair

Larry Teaching

soccer ball 1

Yarnbowl

Relaxing after a day in the shop

Turning1

shelves

LarryAnnie

Larry airbrush

hallway

Larry engraving

Fire

demo pieces

colored platter

Carving

carving burned

bowl blue

Hummingbird Vase

Sword

Larry demonstrating a tool

WallArt

natural edge

Epoxy and Yarn

Mesquite with laser

Resin Experiment

Resin Experiment

by | Feb 22, 2026 | Misc, Tips & Techniques

Resin experiments happening with members!  Dale Guilford and Michael Luksich experimented with resin and pistachio shells with guidance from Dick Jones.  Dale continued on to make an amazing vase with resin and a burl.
 
Member work

Member work

by | Apr 22, 2025 | Misc, Tips & Techniques

 Larry Jurgens is experimenting again.   South Dakota Ash bowl.  He used a Manpa bit “round shape” on his Micro motor carver to do the embellishments.  He colored with a black alcohol dye over all the outside.  He then used a purple opaque paint over all – not in the holes – kind of like a dry brush.  Then a layer of iridescent blue paint over all – not in the holes like the purple.
The picture doesn’t do it justice – it is more of a teal color, very iridescent looking.  More in the May newsletter.
 

New Lathes

New Lathes

by | Sep 1, 2024 | Misc

The AWA Board in August 2024 approved the purchase of six new lathes for the Kundrat Learning Center.  The new lathes are Record Power Herald model purchased from Turners Warehouse.  Thank you Chad  and Amy for all your support in making this happen!   Check out the Members Only Section – Kundrat Learning Center for more pictures.

The new lathes will be a substantial improvement to the learning center environment.  Having an identical lathe for each turner will enable the instructors to ensure that each turner is able to follow the instruction easily and accurately.

Condolences

Condolences

by | Apr 23, 2024 | Misc

 Norris Ready passed away this morning.  If you would like to send a card to his widow, information is below.  There will not be a memorial service by Norris’ request.
Norris was a long time member of AWA.  At the age of 89 (about 4 years ago) he was not able to do woodturning anymore but continued to come to the meetings. At that time he took up a new hobby of painting.  He donated one of his paintings to our December silent auction.
Widow:
Leslie Ready
14928 W Walking Stick Way
Surprise, AZ  85375