The Patrick Sikes Iron Turner Challenge is dedicated to the memory of a long-time club member who was a talented
turner, demonstrator, club officer and club supporter. It is intended to provide an opportunity for members to practice
a wide variety of turning skills, learn new skills and demonstrate their abilities to their fellow club members.
Beginning in January, the members are presented with a challenge to turn a particular type of item each month through
the month of November. These challenges provide an opportunity to utilize a wide variety of turning techniques during
the year. Members who successfully complete the challenge for all eleven months are awarded the title of “Iron Turner”
and receive a gift package at the December holiday club party. The challenges always include items to support the four
charities that the club supports. The items submitted by the Iron Turner competitors for those four challenges are
donated to the charities.
January – Two Bowls
Turn two bowls of different shapes and out of two different woods. May be segmented. Both bowls are
to be donated to our Empty Bowl charity.
February – Turn a Winged Bowl
Bowl can be of any size with any type of wood
March - Turn a decorated Easter egg
Be creative!
April – Wig Stand for Moffitt Cancer Center patients
Make an adult-sized wig stand for donation. Suggested guidelines will be furnished at the March Meeting.
May – Turn a Sphere
Can be of any size with any type wood
June – Turn a Beads of Courage Box
Make at least one Beads of Courage box for donation to All Children’s Hospital.
Guidelines PDF
July – Inside Out Piece
Turn an inside-out ornament. Consider donating
August - Box with a minimum 6 inch finial
Make a box with finial using two different woods
September – Christmas Ornaments for Charity
Make four different shaped Christmas ornaments to be donated to the Festival of Trees charity.
October – Come out of the dark!
Turn an item that looks like A MUSHROOM. Size is your choice.
November – Turn a Hollow form
Turn a hollow form with some sort of embellishment. Your choice.
December – 2 x 4 Challenge
Turn an item from a 2 x 4
Iron Turner Competition Rules:
| • |
Must be a member in good standing to participate. |
| • |
All items must have been turned in 2024. |
| • | Collaborative pieces are acceptable, but the member must have turned at least 50% and only
one member can get credit for the piece. |
| • | The piece may not have been shown previously at a Club meeting. |
| • | If you miss a month, you may bring in your entry the next month and still have it counted.
However, you will need to bring in both challenges, for both the prior and current month. |
| • | EXCEPTIONS: Because of the change to the meeting schedule, the January challenge as well as
the February challenge will be due at the February meeting. A grace period of March for January
and February will be allowed along with the March submission.
The December challenge will be due at the November meeting along with the November
challenge and no later submissions are allowed. |
| • | Challenge submission can be EARLIER than the month assigned. This is important for members
who leave the area for extended periods. |
| • | Members who complete each challenge per above throughout the year will receive a special
prize package of turning -related goodies at the Holiday party in December. Prizes to be
determined. You do not have to be present at the party to win, but you must have completed all
challenges by the November meeting. No late submissions. |
| • | Members must indicate the month(s) of challenges being submitted at a meeting on the
Meeting Sign-In sheet in order to get credit. Failure to sign-in is risky! |
| • | Note: Members are encouraged to exceed the number of items indicated for Charity programs, e.g.
Beads of Courage, Empty Bowls, Wig Stands for Moffitt,Christmas ornaments for Festival of trees |
