Woodturning: Pepper Grinder & Spice Bowls

First Day Spice Bowl Class Description:
Spice Bowl, Salt Bowl, Pinch Bowl; whatever you call them, these small bowls are endlessly useful and a pleasure to make. In this class we’ll make a matching pair of bowls: simple forms with clean lines, gentle curves, and a finish that feels good in the hand.

Spice bowls don’t take much time or material, and they work with almost any species and finish. They’re a great project for any skill level — a warm-up for those returning to the lathe, a confidence builder for newer turners, and a satisfying design exercise for more experienced turners.

Creating a matching pair is a good way to build muscle memory, refine your eye, and develop techniques that carry over to larger bowls. Even if repetition isn’t your thing, or if you’ve never made two pieces that truly match, you’ll pick up practical tips you can apply to whatever you enjoy turning.

Second Day Pepper Grinder Class Description:
Create a beautifully functional 5″ tall salt or pepper grinder from a solid piece of wood. In this class, students will turn a seamless one-piece body and install a modern Windsor-style ceramic grinding mechanism — a compact, durable design that grinds either salt or pepper and will not corrode. The grinding mechanism is self-contained and mounts from the bottom, making this an approachable project for turners of all skill levels.

You’ll learn how to shape the exterior for comfort and balance, drill the interior to accept the mechanism, and fit the ceramic grinder cleanly and securely. We’ll cover best practices for sanding and finishing small functional forms, along with tips for achieving crisp details and a refined silhouette on a short spindle project.

Students will leave class with a completed grinder ready for the kitchen or gifting — a compact, elegant piece that showcases both the wood and the craftsmanship. This is a great small project for anyone looking to build skills and make something genuinely useful.

1. Arrive, check in, and review shop safety procedures.
2. Learn basic wood lathe operation and proper tool handling.
3. Turn a matching pair of spice bowls, focusing on shape, proportion, and finishing techniques.
4. Break for lunch (30 minutes).
5. Continue bowl turning, sanding, and finishing as needed.
6. Begin Day 2 with an introduction to pepper grinder design and components.
7. Turn the body of a custom salt or pepper grinder from a solid piece of wood.
8. Drill and fit the ceramic grinding mechanism.
9. Sand, finish, and assemble the completed grinder.
10. Review techniques, ask final questions, and take home your finished projects.

Turn functional pieces you’ll use every day. From serving spices at the table to seasoning meals in the kitchen, the projects in this workshop combine craftsmanship with practical purpose.

Work in a small class setting with a maximum of five students, allowing for personalized instruction and plenty of one-on-one guidance throughout the workshop.

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