Dougs Turnings – Fine Handmade Products

Welcome to Doug's Turnings

Enjoy the beauty of natural wood.

Welcome to Doug's Turnings

Natural edge bowls show off their bark.

Welcome to Doug's Turnings

Grains vary greatly, adding character to each piece.

Welcome to Doug's Turnings

Ornaments are another way to show off the beautiful grain of the wood.

Doug at the Lathe — Doug at the Lathe

Doug is a wood-turner located in Carroll County, Maryland. Self-trained on the lathe, I love what I can create out of a simple block of wood, God’s creation. For me, the process of turning a block of wood into a piece of art is peaceful in a meditative way. Perhaps I can create something for you some day soon.

In the meantime, take note of all those things around you, around us, that are made from wood. We’ve used wood to live our lives well since the beginning of time. Wood remains integral to who we are.

Check out my Events page for Open Shop days and turning classes. Enjoy a look at my Bowls, Ornaments and Other Items galleries under the Turnings menu.

Please enjoy your time here on the website, view my collection of previous and current works. SEE MORE ABOUT MY STORY.

“Wood is the perfect product of nature.”

Enjoy My Most Recent Posts

Turning wood in Taneytown Maryland since 2005.

douglas.heck.turnings

You never know what good fortune may come your way

You never know what good fortune may come your way. So I was winding myself up this morning to start taking down a large pine tree near my shop when I received a surprise text. A friend was taking down a nice size holly tree and he was asking if I'd like the trunk. I wasn't sure how big it was (didn't receive a picture), but I got the impression it was a fair sized tree. So after cutting some of the pine tree and cleaning up that mess, I headed to Westminster with my trailer in tow. I got to the property to find Willie's 2 guys waiting for me - he had taken a load of the limbs to the landfill. Together we rolled the 4 logs, one at a time, from where they laid and slid them, with a LOT of effort, into my trailer. The holly is beautiful. I'm looking forward to working with it to make some beautiful pieces. Here are photos of the holly tree and of the pine tree I worked on.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

One of the things I enjoy about working with wood

One of the things I enjoy about working with wood is collecting the wood myself. It's not always easy. To be truthful, it is normally not easy. Easy is the exception. This hickory tree came down on our property about three years ago. It's near the creek. Half of the year, the ground is too soft to get the tractor in, in order to haul it out. So, since it was off the ground, I was patient about the right time. December 18th I decided I had to make an attempt before the rain came. I cut 6 pieces from this tree. However, as I worked on the 4th piece, it began to rain. The ground got soft quickly. I tore up our trails, sliding this way and that, but I managed to get the 4th and 5th piece out. Being overconfident, I thought I could get one more piece up the hill. I underestimated how slippery things would get, so I grabbed a bunch of cut up limbs and let piece #6 down on the limbs to keep it out of the mud. Then I proceeded to slip and slide the empty tractor up the hill. Always an adventure. Beautiful wood.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

The Carroll County Artists' Studio Tour is coming

The Carroll County Artists' Studio Tour is coming up December 7th and 8th, Saturday and Sunday. The scheduled hours are 10AM - 5PM both days - note I will be in the shop until 7 PM each day, if you happen to be running late. There's no cost to tour each studio/shop. All locations will have hand-crafted items for sale, just in time for your holiday shopping. I will also have "Learn to Turn" gift certificates available to give to someone special who would enjoy the hands-on experience of turning their own wooden bowl. Here are some recent pieces I've finished. If you want to stop by, but can't make the 7th or 8th, please reach out and schedule a time. My shop will be cleaned up by December 1st (hopefully).
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

Our pastor at church asked for a rustic cross for

Our pastor at church asked for a rustic cross for a workshop she's conducting currently. Here's what I put together. It's some rough-cut lumber. I think it came out very well. 5 foot tall and 3 1/2 foot wide. I'm aiming to make a good number of crosses in the near future, in a variety of data-lazy-sizes.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

Here are some recent pieces I've completed. The fi

Here are some recent pieces I've completed. The first two are already taken. The others will get one more coat of oil, then they will be ready to go.
The first bowl is a piece of Plum Wood from Baugher's Orchard. It was cut and roughed out many years ago. When I was turning it, that big crack in the back popped at the same time it grabbed my gouge and threw it at me (a rare occurrence). I kept thinking about getting back to it, but didn't. Then I recently had the incentive when a turning student saw it and said she wanted it, so I had to finish it.
I cannot tell you the species of the second bowl. It was rough-turned round, then sat on the shelf for years. The same customer saw it and said she wanted it when it was done. So this is how I thought it best showed His design. It is beautiful wood - I wish I knew what it was for certain.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

I'm out here at the Quail Valley Golf Course with

I'm out here at the Quail Valley Golf Course with a bunch of great people, including the Taneytown Heritage and Museum Association. Today is our golf tournament. Here's a crab mallet and paper towel holder I made as one of the take items. Made from pin oak. Thanks to everyone who supports our efforts.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

Here's an old oak log that has been laying in the

Here's an old oak log that has been laying in the woods for years. I was curious whether it was usable for anything. I cut it up this morning to make some benches along the trails in our woods. A couple pieces will be nice once I remove the loose bark and slather on a lot of linseed oil. Here's one bench set in the yard temporarily.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

I've been working on milling this maple, off and o

I've been working on milling this maple, off and on, for the last 3 weeks. It is some beautiful wood, although some of it has stress cracks - plenty of good wood though. Three pieces totaling about 3,400 pounds. One day it kept raining, so slow progress. One stack of the maple can be seen in the background of the oak bench photo.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

I enjoyed watching someone else working this morni

I enjoyed watching someone else working this morning. I headed to Westminster to pick up some white oak that had to come down. These guys were professionals. They did a great job and performed well as a team. The tree, in their estimation, is 200+ years old. They did a nice job loading my trailer, not once, but twice. My trailer may have handled more, but I didn't want to over-do it. Now it is time to get the mill going so I can slice up and see what I can make with this oak.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

I made these "Bead Holders" last week for Amy Selm

I made these "Bead Holders" last week for Amy Selmer, who is a member of the Carroll County Artists' Studio Tour. Amy was seeking a way to show off her higher-end beads. She does beautiful work. See her at https://www.goldenapplebeads.etsy.com/
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

I had time this past Saturday to run the mill for

I had time this past Saturday to run the mill for the first time. I took my time figuring out the best way to handle many factors. I bumped into a few issues and solved them quickly. The yellowish wood is mulberry. The chunks are some cherry wood that has been sitting for a while - I wanted to see how much of them was still usable for turning. The bigger log with the red strips through it are box elder - very pretty wood. Running the mill is a lot of work, but fun. Great machine.
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com @WoodlandMills

Looking forward to milling some logs. I'm wrapping

Looking forward to milling some logs. I'm wrapping up the assembly of my sawmill now. "There are a LOT of parts!" is an understatement. Wow, there are a lot of parts. Woodland Mills provides some great instructions for assembly and tuning the mill, yet it takes a lot of time. I'll post again after I've milled a couple logs. Wood is fun!
#Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

The Winter Market will be held at the Carroll Comm

The Winter Market will be held at the Carroll Community College Saturday December 9th from 10 AM - 3 PM. I'll be just behind the photo booth at table 13. I'll have a selection of turned wood items and Learn to Turn Gift Certificates. Come on out and enjoy the day! Stop by to say "Hi!" Read more at https://www.carrollcc.edu/winter-market/ #Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

Doesn't this mushroom just crack you up? Ha ha! An

Doesn't this mushroom just crack you up? Ha ha! Another dad joke. I couldn't pass up finishing this without touching or filling the crack. It's a beautiful piece of boxelder. I still need to apply oil, which should make it a little more intense. Don't forget, the Carroll County Artists' Studio tour is December 2nd and 3rd, 10 -5 each day, and I'll be here even later than 5 for those that are running late. IF YOU ARE COMING TO CHAT WITH ME, please grab my attention. I know folks left last year before talking to me because it was so busy. I look forward to my discussions with each of you, and I don't want to miss out on that. #Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

Please support Carroll Community College's 2023 fu

Please support Carroll Community College's 2023 fundraising event. I am donating 2 "Learn to Turn" classes, each for 2 people, to the Carroll Community College for their Starry Night silent auction. Starry Night is Friday December 1st and the silent auction will be online (prior to the event) as well as in person. Here's a link for more information: https://www.carrollcc.edu/carroll-community-college-foundation/fundraising-events/starry-night/
My shop will be open from 10 - 5 on December 2nd and 3rd for the Carroll County Artists' Studio Tour. #Dougsturnings #DouglasHeckTurnings #MarylandWoodturner #HandMadeMaryland #HandCraftedMaryland #HandMadeGiftMaryland #CCArtists ccartists.com DougsTurnings.com

BOX ELDER – I harvested some box elder the other d

BOX ELDER - I harvested some box elder the other day and was instantaneously amazed by the color inside this wood. Here are a few photos of the heartwood along with photos of a 16 1/2 inch bowl I roughed out yesterday. This bowl has some of the heartwood's red color, which I'm hoping will be deeper when the bowl is finished and oil is applied. I have a number of blanks for additional bowls - I'll post some pictures of those, once turned, to share their unique color. Harvested from Kelly's yard.
#Dougsturnings
#DouglasHeckTurnings
#MarylandWoodturner
#HandMadeMaryland
#HandCraftedMaryland
#HandMadeGiftMaryland
#CCArtists
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Although this project was outside of my norm, here

Although this project was outside of my norm, here's a neat clock I made for a friend from a cedar biscuit from a tree at his church. There was a lot to figure out to make this work. The first challenge was how soft and giving this wood was. Even at an inch and a half thick, it flexed to the point I was afraid it would snap. So after tracing the biscuit, I cut a piece of 1/8 inch baltic birch plywood to glue to the back. This stiffened the biscuit for the rest of the process. Another challenge was to find what would be the center for the clock and while not losing this center, plunging the back of the clock in order to insert the quartz clock mechanism. You've heard "measure twice, cut once"? Well, this was "Think about it over and over, for a long long time, then think some more." Gladly, it all worked out. #Dougsturnings
#DouglasHeckTurnings
#MarylandWoodturner
#HandMadeMaryland
#HandCraftedMaryland
#HandMadeGiftMaryland
#CCArtists
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I provided another class yesterday on woodturning

I provided another class yesterday on woodturning to a lovely young couple. They did a great job and seemed to enjoy it greatly. Here are a few photos of their afternoon. I started them with some spindle-turning to learn the equipment and the feel of the wood. Then I stepped them through the process of roughing out a green bowl (wet wood) and then moved them over to dry wood to turn their finished piece. Her finished piece is black walnut and his is cherry. Check out available classes here: DougsTurnings.com/learn-to-turn/ #Dougsturnings
#DouglasHeckTurnings
#MarylandWoodturner
#HandMadeMaryland
#HandCraftedMaryland
#HandMadeGiftMaryland
#CCArtists
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Seven members of the Carroll County Artists' Studi

Seven members of the Carroll County Artists' Studio Tour came over to my shop yesterday to work on taking great product shots. We had 3 photography booths set up and each artist brought a collection of their recent work to photograph. We were sharing techniques of lighting and camera settings. Many of our images will be used on our website, on Facebook and in publications. Here are a few of our photos. #Dougsturnings
#DouglasHeckTurnings
#MarylandWoodturner
#HandMadeMaryland
#HandCraftedMaryland
#HandMadeGiftMaryland
#CCArtists
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Here are a few awards I helped with for the kids p

Here are a few awards I helped with for the kids participating in the 4-H Fair. Leonard Bowers created the pieces and I engraved them. After my engraving, Leonard finished them. Teresa Ridinger did a great job coordinating the pieces of this project AND originating the whole thing. #Dougsturnings
#DouglasHeckTurnings
#MarylandWoodturner
#HandMadeMaryland
#HandCraftedMaryland
#HandMadeGiftMaryland
#CCArtists
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