Dave Ramsey, Administrator Turned Turner

 

Dave Ramsey

 

Hopi water vessel, 15" tall
and made from cherry,
bacote, and ebony.

 

Vessel with ebony elk inlay,
12" tall and made from cherry,
walnut, and ebony.

Woodturning passion

After careers in cancer research and hospital administration in the Midwest, Dave Ramsey retired and moved to Arizona. Dave started woodturning 15 years ago to give him something to do in addition to playing golf. According to Dave, "Segmented woodturning quickly became my passion as my golf game faded."

Residing in Rio Verde, Dave works almost as many hours a day now as before he left his hospital duties. But there is one difference. He will never call it work. He's having too much fun since discovering the joy of woodturning.

"At first there was no notion of selling my work, but this soon changed after I exhibited at a local craft show and offers to buy were extended," stated Dave. "I first sold my vessels in local galleries, but soon expanded to eight galleries across the U.S."

 

Hopi seed pot, 16" tall
and made from maple
and canary wood.

 

Small bowl, 5" tall from
cherry, bacote, and ebony.

Southwestern inspiration

Clay vessels from American Indians of the Southwest provide Dave with much of his inspiration. He also had the good fortune to study with Ray Allen a master of segmented woodturning. "Ray taught me the complex techniques that allowed me to design and build vessels reflecting my own ideas," shared Dave.

"Currently, I'm working on my 445th vessel since beginning this woodturning journey. Turning wood provides me with great satisfaction and a lot of friends. I am a member of the Arizona Wood Turning Association, an organization that inspires and assists its membership."

Turning Project Plans

The Complete Guide to Woodturning