My name is Julie Barker and I go by the name of Hampshire Hog Woodturning.
Until about 10 years ago I had always drawn fine line pen and pencil abstract pictures. Then my right arm started to be painful and have pins and needles. To cut a long story short, I had suffered nerve damage and, after two operations and several procedures, my arm no longer works properly and I can no longer draw.
I knew I couldnt stop being creative, so I tried acrylic pouring. This led me to using resin, which led to me incorporating wood, which then led to wood carving! After chopping off multiple bits of fingers, I knew I had to try something else.
I’d always fancied trying woodturning, so I purchased a small lathe. I watched innumerable YouTube videos and practised endlessly. I’d finall found my Happy Place.
That was three years ago. Since then, I’ve honed my craft, bought a bigger lathe and am extremely proud to say I’m a self-taught, mainly one armed, lady woodturner!
I’ve learned a lot in those three years and have absolutely no intention of stopping. I try new techniques whenever I can.
My most recent learning curve is melting pewter and incorporating this in my turning.
Bring on the next challenge!
