Vermont woodturners to demonstrate flame blackening finish in Jericho

Andy Duling brought flame blackening outdoors for the Vermont Woodturners Guild’s July 15 meeting in Jericho, using a turned bowl to show how a torch can create a contemporary blackened surface on a finished piece. The live setup gave members a chance to watch the pace of the work, the smoke management, and the moment when the color shift becomes part of the design rather than an afterthought.

The meeting was held at the Russ Fellows Woodturning Center, with the usual social build-up built into the evening. Light meal and fellowship started at 5:30 p.m., the meeting began at 6 p.m., and the program was set to run later in the evening. Moving the demonstration outside mattered because flame work is easier to see, and easier to teach, when the presenter can work in open air.

For turners interested in surface character, flame blackening offers a different finish path than dyes, oils, or a clear coat. Instead of letting grain carry the visual load, the treatment can make edge detail, profile, and silhouette stand out against a dark field. That makes it useful for presentation bowls, gift work, and gallery pieces where the form itself has to carry the piece once the wood is blackened.

The guild’s broader structure gives the demo more context than a one-off technique talk. Vermont Woodturners Guild describes itself as a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners focused on workshops, camaraderie, and shared learning across experience levels. Its newsletters and member resources show an organization that treats meetings as part of ongoing education, not just social time around the lathe.

That is why a flame blackening demonstration fit the club so well. Members could watch a turned bowl change in front of them, compare the look against other finishing choices, and see how a plain form can become a strong contemporary piece with the right surface treatment.