If you can make a goblet, you might want to try a personalized profile goblet (or mug). It's a relatively simple project. I don't have the show the turning steps but I don't think they are needed.
These can make great presents for Christmas, anniversaries, etc. These may be a bit unusual, maybe even unique to some.
I think I got the idea from the amazing turnings I saw decades ago (from somewhere in Europe?) where the detail in the profile was revealed when the ring was cut into thin radial slices to make little animals, etc.
I'm sure someone, somewhere has made them like this but I haven't seen them.
This is a profile turning of my daughter-in-law.
It's a goblet with the top part hollowed and finished inside.
Added the little hat for fun.
The face profile is easy to see in the shadow on the right side
I started with a blank a bit bigger than I needed and cut a recess in what would be the bottom. Held the blank with a chuck in the recess.
I start by taking a photo of the person from the side.
If it's going to be a surprise, you might have to be a bit sneaky to get the picture!
This shows the simple steps and the result. Starting with the photo, cut out the profile.
I used photoshop for this, then sized and printed the profile and cut it out, but with the right sized printed photo it could be cut out directly.
I made the black profile shown on the right so I could better evaluate it and better imagine the result.
Then I traced that onto a piece of thin cardboard and cut it out with a scalpel to make a template. An Xacto knife would work fine.
I put the template and profile pic down on a piece of paper, spaced them a bit apart, taped them down, and took diameter measurements at the nose, chin, eyebrows etc.
Use a parting tool to make initial sizing cuts.
Then turn the approximate profile, then refine it.
I mostly used a couple of spindle gouges but sharp scrapers, hunter tools, etc would work. Need something with a fine point to get the details at the lips.
Then hold the template up to the wood and mark where more wood needs to be removed. Rinse and repeat until the wood matches the template.
I hollowed out the goblet part after I turned the outside so I could provide a little extra support with the tailstock, but probably not needed.
I used a couple of spalted blanks for the two "mugs" but any wood would work. Wood with at least one part without wild grain might be best.
A turning blank that is half light and half dark might be interesting.
Turned hats for accents.
Adding some little wire spectacles on one side might be fun!
I think these were about 5-6" high or so.
Maybe everyone makes profile turnings but this set was my first.
These were highly appreciated gifts. Displayed with a light background with a light from one side putting the other in shadow is effective.
Or just use dark wood and light part of the background.
If you make one, I'd love to see a photo!
JKJ
These can make great presents for Christmas, anniversaries, etc. These may be a bit unusual, maybe even unique to some.
I think I got the idea from the amazing turnings I saw decades ago (from somewhere in Europe?) where the detail in the profile was revealed when the ring was cut into thin radial slices to make little animals, etc.
I'm sure someone, somewhere has made them like this but I haven't seen them.
This is a profile turning of my daughter-in-law.
It's a goblet with the top part hollowed and finished inside.
Added the little hat for fun.
The face profile is easy to see in the shadow on the right side
I started with a blank a bit bigger than I needed and cut a recess in what would be the bottom. Held the blank with a chuck in the recess.
I start by taking a photo of the person from the side.
If it's going to be a surprise, you might have to be a bit sneaky to get the picture!
This shows the simple steps and the result. Starting with the photo, cut out the profile.
I used photoshop for this, then sized and printed the profile and cut it out, but with the right sized printed photo it could be cut out directly.
I made the black profile shown on the right so I could better evaluate it and better imagine the result.
Then I traced that onto a piece of thin cardboard and cut it out with a scalpel to make a template. An Xacto knife would work fine.
I put the template and profile pic down on a piece of paper, spaced them a bit apart, taped them down, and took diameter measurements at the nose, chin, eyebrows etc.
Use a parting tool to make initial sizing cuts.
Then turn the approximate profile, then refine it.
I mostly used a couple of spindle gouges but sharp scrapers, hunter tools, etc would work. Need something with a fine point to get the details at the lips.
Then hold the template up to the wood and mark where more wood needs to be removed. Rinse and repeat until the wood matches the template.
I hollowed out the goblet part after I turned the outside so I could provide a little extra support with the tailstock, but probably not needed.
I used a couple of spalted blanks for the two "mugs" but any wood would work. Wood with at least one part without wild grain might be best.
A turning blank that is half light and half dark might be interesting.
Turned hats for accents.
Adding some little wire spectacles on one side might be fun!
I think these were about 5-6" high or so.
Maybe everyone makes profile turnings but this set was my first.
These were highly appreciated gifts. Displayed with a light background with a light from one side putting the other in shadow is effective.
Or just use dark wood and light part of the background.
If you make one, I'd love to see a photo!
JKJ