Woodcraft of Virginia Beach / Norfolk

Resin & Wood Turning Class

Part 1: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5 PM - 8 PM

Part 2: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 4 PM - 9 PM

This hands-on woodturning class introduces the creative fusion of wood and resin as students design and cast a 4-inch circular blank ready for the lathe. Participants will explore a variety of casting resins, learning the key differences between epoxy systems, cure times, clarity, hardness, and which formulations are best suited for artistic blanks versus structural pours. The session begins with casting fundamentals — selecting and preparing wood, sealing porous areas, mold setup, pigment and inclusion options, and proper mixing techniques to minimize bubbles and ensure a successful pour. Special emphasis will be placed on safe and effective use of pressure pots, demonstrating how controlled pressure improves clarity and reduces voids for professional-quality results. After curing, the class transitions to the lathe where students will true their blank and turn a small project from their custom pour. Instruction will cover tool selection, cutting techniques specific to resin-wood hybrids, sanding strategies, and finishing approaches that enhance chatoyance and depth.

Knife Handle Making

Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 6 PM - 9 PM

From preparing a meal to camping, a good quality knife is indispensable! Sharpen your woodworking skills while you learn the basics of knife kit construction. Designed for any skill level, you’ll learn shaping and installing handles (scales), pins or rivets, sanding, and finishing to create a knife you’d be proud to use - or gift to someone special! Gain skills for safely using a drill press, bandsaw, oscillating/belt sander, clamps, epoxy, and wood finish. All materials and knife parts are included in this fun 3-hour class led by an experienced, expert instructor. Each participant should be able to take home a one-of-a-kind knife at the end of this workshop. Minimum age 14 with parent or guardian present during the class. Please bring your own safety glasses and dust mask.

Turn a Live Edge Bowl

Thursday, April 9, 2026, 10:30 AM - 4 PM

A live edge bowl celebrates the natural character of the tree, preserving the outer bark and organic contour as part of the finished form. In this class, you’ll turn a side-grain blank into a beautifully balanced bowl while learning how to work with the irregularities that make each piece unique. Students will focus on proper tool control using bowl gouges, safe mounting techniques, and how to read grain direction to achieve clean cuts along both the interior and exterior surfaces. Special attention is given to maintaining the live edge profile, creating flowing curves, and refining wall thickness for both strength and elegance. By the end of the session, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind live edge bowl that highlights the raw beauty of natural wood—complete with bark, voids, and subtle variations that make each piece truly individual.