Townsend Turnings home

Hand-turned in Ashburn, Virginia

Bowls, pens and small things, turned by hand.

Townsend Turnings is a small family workshop. Tell me what you have in mind, or choose a finished piece from the bench.

Start a custom piece
See what’s on the bench
Dark bocote bowl with wavy, contrasting grain

Bocote bowl, B2018007 · $37

Firefighter pen with a Maltese cross inlay, resting on turnout gear

Fireman’s pen with Maltese cross inlay, P2018012

Made for someone in particular.

A custom piece can start with a favorite wood, a trade, a family tree or a gift you’ve been putting off. Here’s how it works.

  1. 01Tell me what you’re picturing and who it’s for.
  2. 02We settle the wood, hardware and price together.
  3. 03I turn it, finish it and send it to you.
Tell me about your idea

On the bench now

See everything

“The art of turning is the most serious occupation of those people of intelligence and merit.”

Charles Plumier, 1749

Most of what I make away from a keyboard comes off a lathe. Townsend Turnings is the family workshop here in Ashburn, where I live with my wife and our four sons. I’m also a volunteer Firefighter/EMT Captain and past President of Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

More about the workshop