Barry Gross

BG Artforms

Barry Gross is a renowned pen maker, woodturner, and demonstrator known for his expertise in crafting high-quality, custom pens. With years of experience in fine woodworking, Barry specializes in turning unique materials—such as wood, acrylic, and even watch parts—into stunning writing instruments. His attention to detail and innovative techniques have made him a sought-after demonstrator at woodworking and turning events across the country.

As a demonstrator, Barry shares his deep knowledge of pen turning, offering hands-on instruction and expert tips to help turners of all skill levels refine their craft. His engaging presentations cover everything from tool selection and material preparation to advanced finishing techniques that elevate a simple pen into a work of art. Barry’s passion for the craft, combined with his ability to teach in an approachable and informative manner, makes his demonstrations both educational and inspiring.

Whether at national symposiums, local clubs, or trade shows, Barry Gross continues to influence the pen-turning community, helping woodworkers enhance their skills and create exquisite, one-of-a-kind pens. His expertise, innovation, and enthusiasm make him a standout figure in the world of pen making.

Bespoke Pen Turning: A Start-to-Finish Demonstration

Join master pen maker Barry Gross for an in-depth look at the art of bespoke pen turning—creating a fountain pen entirely from raw materials, without the use of pre-made kits or components. The only pre-manufactured parts used are the nib and feed, ensuring a truly custom creation.

This demonstration will be broken into two sessions. The first session will cover the pen cap and body, while the second session will focus on crafting the nib and section. Barry will guide attendees through each step of the process, including precision shaping, threading, and finishing, showcasing the skills needed to produce a fully functional, high-end fountain pen. Whether you're an experienced turner or new to custom pen making, this session offers invaluable insight into the craftsmanship behind bespoke writing instruments.

Stack, Cast, Turn: Creating Unique Pen Blanks from Playing Cards

Watch as Barry Gross transforms ordinary playing cards into stunning pen blanks using resin casting and expert turning techniques. In this demo, Barry will show how to carefully stack and stabilize the cards before encasing them in crystal-clear resin, creating a unique effect. He’ll share tips on mixing and pouring resin to eliminate bubbles by casting the blanks into high-quality products for your pens. Whether you're a seasoned turner or just starting out, this process opens up endless creative possibilities for custom pen designs. Don’t miss the chance to see a master at work and learn how to turn everyday materials into extraordinary writing instruments!

Bob Blanford

RJBWoodturner

Bob Blanford is the founder of RJBWoodturner, a YouTuber renowned for its high-quality craftsmanship in pen turning. With a passion for woodworking and an eye for detail, Bob creates custom, handcrafted pens, combining artistry with functionality. Each piece is meticulously designed, often incorporating unique materials like exotic woods, metals, and resins. 

 Through RJBWoodturner, Bob has built a reputation for delivering personalized, durable pens that are as much works of art as writing instruments. His dedication to the craft is reflected in the precision of his work and his ability to create custom designs that cater to individual preferences. 

 RJBWoodturner’s success is rooted in Bob’s deep commitment to the art of pen turning and his ability to turn raw materials into elegant, functional pieces. Whether for personal use or as special gifts, RJBWoodturner pens are cherished for their quality and craftsmanship.

Building a Segmented Blank: From Design to Execution

Bob will be demonstrating the process of building a segmented blank made from two contrasting woods. He will discuss the process, tools, and techniques required to build the blank. Using a combination of video and physical examples he will teach how to make the same blank in your shop.

The handout provided will give you the instructions and dimensions to build a Sierra blank as well as a 6.5” blank suitable for the Apollo or Artemis kit. With simple modifications to the dimensions you can make blanks of any length to fit any kit.

Aron Zielenzinski

Aron Zielenzinski

Aron Zielezinski is a sculptural woodturner based in Carrollton, Virginia. His artistry merges traditional woodturning techniques with contemporary design, resulting in bold forms, deeply textured surfaces, and vibrant colors that captivate both the tactile and visual senses. Zielezinski's meticulous carving and innovative finishing methods transform wood into striking sculptures that challenge conventional expectations of the craft.

In 2024, Zielezinski's piece "Temporal Dilation" earned First Place in the "Force of Nature" exhibition at the Virginia Beach Art Center.  His Instagram profile showcases his recent works, including a white oak sculpture titled "Temporal Dilation," which features turned, carved, and ebonized elements.  Zielezinski often experiments with surface treatments, such as using Hassui ceramic finishes on bare wood to enhance texture and visual appeal.

Turning a Decorative Platter

Aron will demonstrate the art of platter turning, covering essential techniques such as safe mounting methods, tool selection, and cutting techniques. He will also discuss design principles, surface treatments, and finishing options to elevate the final piece.

Embellishing a Decorative Plater

Aron will demonstrate how to elevate a decorative platter using torches, carved textures, and vibrant colors to create depth and visual intrigue. He will explore various burning and carving techniques, as well as his preferred methods for coloring and finishing, to achieve a striking and dynamic final piece.

Ken Poirier

Woodturner

Ken Poirier is a long-time turner who currently teaches a variety of woodturning classes at Woodcraft of Northern Virginia, catering to all skill levels. His classes include foundational topics such as tool sharpening, introduction to turning and lathe operation, as well as more advanced lessons focusing on specific projects like pens, boxes, bowls, platters and decorative pieces. He is a frequent demonstrator and newsletter contributor at the local Maryland and Northern Virginia woodturning clubs. Whether you're a beginner looking to get started or an experienced turner seeking to refine your skills, Ken's classes provide hands-on instruction and valuable insights into the craft especially with embellishments such as marbling, pyrography, texturing and various painting techniques.

Turning Precision: Crafting a Perfect Lidded Box

Ken Poirier will demonstrate the process of turning a lidded box on a lathe, covering key techniques for shaping both the body and the lid. He will discuss proper tool usage, how to achieve precise fits for the lid, discuss the different lid options and strategies for finishing the piece to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Participants will gain insights into design considerations and tips for creating a functional and visually striking lidded box.

Elegant Curves: Turning a Goblet on the Lathe

Ken Poirier will demonstrate the art of turning a goblet on a lathe, guiding participants through the process of shaping the bowl and stem. He will cover essential techniques for achieving a balanced and elegant form, from tool selection to smooth finishing. Ken will also discuss tips for turning intricate details and ensuring a secure, stable base, helping participants gain confidence in crafting this classic and refined piece. Time permitting, he will show how the basic goblet project can be taken a step further to produce a kitchen scoop.

Tara Chapman

Turning Timbers

Tara Chapman, the artisan behind Turning Timbers, has extensive experience in resin casting for creating unique pen blanks and turning blocks. She specializes in combining resin with wood to transform “worthless wood” into stunning hybrid blanks, giving new life to pieces that would otherwise be discarded. Her expertise in color blending, resin pouring, and stabilizing wood allows her to craft high-quality materials that showcase the natural beauty of wood enhanced by vibrant resin accents. Tara’s work is widely recognized for its creativity and durability, making her blanks highly sought after by turners.

Color Fusion: Crafting Stunning Resin Blocks for Turning 

Tara Chapman will demonstrate the process of creating stunning resin blocks for turning, sharing her expertise in color blending, pouring techniques, and mold preparation. She will cover essential steps such as selecting pigments, achieving vibrant swirls, and properly curing resin for optimal results. Tara will also discuss tips for working with different mold types and incorporating wood to create hybrid blanks. Attendees will gain valuable insights into crafting high-quality resin blocks that are both durable and visually striking.

Thomas Thornhill

Bentwood Ring Supplies

Thomas Thornhill, the founder of Bentwood Ring Supplies, has been a key figure in the ring-making community since 2018. He is passionate about providing high-quality materials and innovative tools for ring makers, offering a wide range of products, including ring blanks, inlay materials, and specialized tools. His company focuses on breaking the mold, introducing exciting new products to the market, and helping crafters elevate their ring-making skills. Bentwood Ring Supplies continues to be a trusted resource for artisans looking to create unique and beautiful rings.

Creating a Tungsten Ring with Bentwood Inlay and Dual Channel Inlay

Thomas Thornhill will demonstrate the process of crafting a tungsten ring with a bentwood inlay, featuring a second channel inlay for added design depth. He will guide participants through the steps of selecting and preparing materials, setting up the inlay channels, and ensuring precision for both the bentwood and the secondary channel. Thomas will share techniques for achieving a seamless, professional look and offer tips on working with tungsten and intricate inlay designs for a truly custom finish.

Brian Nikitas

TBC Bushings

Brian Nikitas, founder of TBC Bushings, is a skilled pen enthusiast and machinist specializing in precision bushings and label casting for the pen-turning community. After identifying a need for high-quality, custom bushings, Brian created TBC Bushings to offer American-made, high-performance tools suitable for a wide range of pen kits. His bushings are designed to ensure precise turning for both standard and custom projects. In addition to bushings, TBC Bushings provides label casting supplies, including templates and alignment guides, to help turners achieve perfect label placement on pen tubes. Brian’s expertise and contributions to the pen-turning community are widely recognized, and he has demonstrated his techniques at various turning events. His dedication to crafting quality tools has made him a trusted name among pen makers.

Precision Label Casting: Crafting Custom Pen Blanks and Beyond

Brian Nikitas will demonstrate the process of using his label casting products to create custom pen blanks and more. He will guide participants through the steps of applying labels to pen tubes, ensuring perfect alignment and precise placement. Brian will also showcase how to incorporate his casting templates and tools to create unique, personalized designs in your pen blanks. With a focus on consistency and quality, this demonstration will teach you how to use label casting to elevate your turning projects, adding a professional touch to your creations.

Markus Howell

Woodturner

Markus Howell is a skilled woodturner known for his expertise and engaging demonstrations. As a demonstrator for Easy Wood Tools, he regularly showcases his techniques at woodworking events, clubs, and retailers such as Rockler, Woodcraft, and Klingspor. His passion for the craft, combined with his ability to teach complex techniques using both HSS and carbide tools in a clear and approachable manner, has made him a respected figure in the woodturning community.

Turning a Dragon Egg: Crafting a Wood and Resin Hybrid Masterpiece

Markus Howell will demonstrate the art of turning a striking "Dragon Egg" from a wood and resin hybrid blank. He will guide participants through shaping the egg, highlighting techniques for seamlessly integrating wood and resin for a smooth, polished finish. Markus will cover tool selection, cutting strategies, and shaping methods to enhance the natural beauty of both materials. He will also explore various finishing techniques, discussing their advantages and drawbacks. Whether you're new to hybrid turning or looking to refine your skills, this demonstration offers valuable insights into creating a unique and eye-catching piece.

Turning a Napkin Ring Holder: A Functional and Decorative Accent

Markus Howell will demonstrate how to create a jig for turning napkin rings on the lathe. He will cover essential techniques, including wood selection, mounting methods, and shaping for a durable, reusable accessory. Additionally, Markus will discuss tool control, refining details, and finishing techniques to elevate the final piece. This demonstration is ideal for turners of all skill levels who want to craft stylish, functional pieces that showcase their craftsmanship.

Jason Rose

Jason Rose, co-founder of Speakeasy Pen Emporium & Supply Co., is a skilled pen maker and supplier with a passion for creating high-quality, custom pen blanks and providing premium pen-making tools. Together with his wife Jess, he founded Speakeasy Pen Emporium to offer a variety of products for both novice and experienced pen makers. Jason’s expertise extends to crafting unique pen blanks, including his "TruHistory" series and "Jason Rose Color Cast Blanks," known for their striking colors and materials. He actively engages with the pen-turning community through workshops and demonstrations, sharing his knowledge and techniques. His dedication to the craft has made Speakeasy Pen Emporium a trusted resource in the pen-making world, inspiring creativity and excellence among fellow artisans.

Speakeasy Glide-Pro: Enhancing Lathe Performance

In this demonstration, Jason Rose will showcase the use of Speakeasy Glide-Pro, a revolutionary cleaner, lubricant, and protectant designed to improve lathe performance. He will demonstrate how this product effectively cleans and lubricates bare metal surfaces, reducing friction and preventing corrosion, leading to smoother operation and longer tool life. Jason will explain the benefits of regular maintenance using Glide-Pro and provide tips on applying it to keep your lathe in top condition, ultimately enhancing your pen-making and turning projects.