Turning Point Design, in Laghey, Co Donegal, was created by my friend Michael Doherty after he retired. He has been wood turning for over 10 years. Spending most of his time in his workshop, Michael spends hours creating pieces of art. He ensures that each is finished to a high standard and when he’s done with a piece he signs them all so that wherever in the world it might end up, he feels that its still connected to him.
Michael is also environmentally conscious. He believes that trees are a beautiful and important part of the natural landscape. “Trees protect our world by preventing erosion and providing shelter in and under their foliage for all the natural flora and fauna of the area, he says. “They also play an important role in producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide in the air around us.. so why would we chop them down just for art?”
Michael will only use wood from trees that have fallen naturally, have been blown down in storms or from trees which needed to be cut down due to health and safety reason or for development purposes.
He believes his function is to release the beauty of the wood so that it may remain forever a testament to its self. You can be sure that any product you buy from him didn’t come from a tree that was chopped down for the sake of wood turning. They are all just beautiful hand crafted by-products!
Michael also does commission work. If you have a suitable piece of wood with sentimental value in your garden, or elsewhere, Michael can turn this into a piece which will hold its sentimentality for decades. Do take a look at the commission section of his website for more info and samples of previous commissioned pieces.
I offered to write a post for Michael’s Turning Point Design to help him get some attention for his work and he offered me a gift to give away as a prize. So I have a superb hand-turned Beech Wood Pen to give away to one lucky winner before Christmas.
To Enter: Simply Click the LIKE button to “Like” Turning Point Design on Facebook
On the WordPress Version of the Irish Food Guide, you’ll have to click here Turning Point Design on Facebook
And then Leave a Contact Detail in the Comments Box Below. If you’re not on Facebook just Leave a Comment and your Name.
One Winner will be picked out on Monday 16th December, so make sure you leave a contact detail in the comments. For more on Michael Doherty and Turning Point Design see www.turningpointdesign.org. His online shop is coming soon and you can contact him through his Facebook page facebook.com/turningpointdesign.
Good Luck
Zack
Is a beautiful piece.Ioana Simileanu
Would love this!@floatingoctopus on twitter
Gorgeous piece!Kelly Hamiltonhemofherdress@gmail.com
Would love to win it!Tom A
Michael knows how much I love pens :)Bernie Quinn
nugejk@mchsi.comWe visited Ireland this year for the first time and I know I'll be back soon!
This is beautiful would love to win it
sorry forgot to leave contact details lindapmcneill@gmail.com
Evelyn Eganevelynegan1@gmail.com
Hi, i'd really love to be included please, thank you, Emer xx
Great Idea, I would love this pen,
I have some of Michael's toadstools so this lovely pen would be wonderful to have as well. Happy Christmas to Turning Point Design.k8sarsfield@yahoo.co.uk
would be great! andrewh09@live.ie
I enjoy fancy pens and wood-turning. Lovely.
Gorgeous piece
Beautiful pen, would love it!
I just love the art of wood turning. It's such an amazing talent. lowrysarah1@gmail.com
Its the bomb, irish anything is go hiontach
my email is ajltd@hotmail.com. I am among many who would love to win this great prize so touch wood to get lucky.
Hope I win :-) Pattonmymike@hotmail.com
Like this, Hope i win.E.Mail ID: nandlalldaga@gmail.com
Love this, Liked
Beautiful gift for someone: email malachycullen@gmail.com
liked and posted email williamhicks@eircom.net
beautiful piece.
what a beautiful piece of work, something to be treasureddawnobrien9@icloud.com
Wood love this!! michelemaria101@gmail.com
Beautifully crafted pen
stuff made from wood is so in vogue … beautiful craftmanship @seany76
Lovely work :-) 123jimlynch@gmail.com
A beautiful Christmas Present jobattye@facebook.com
Lovely colour on the wood, beautiful fittings
Happy to share such beautiful work :-)
fab colours and textures throughout the wood : tonyfogarty@gmail.com
a beautiful Christmas gift. good luck to all.elric101@gmail.com
Beautiful work. Great prize