In 1987 I walked into a turnshop for the first time. I wanted to order an 'onion', as a finishing touch on top of my windingstairs. Some time later, after reading an article in the 'Stadsblad' (a door to door paper in Utrecht) I placed a second order and started started a conversation with the turner. During our conversation I told the man, called Joost Kramer, that I always had a warm interest in working with woord and I would really like to quailify myself in the trade of woodturning. I started turning on fridays at first, but as time went on, I spent more and more hours in the workshop. I never left.
Now, about 19 years later, I can surely say that I've become a skilled woodturner. Afther the moving of the turnshop to the current location in the millenium year, I started the ornament carving. At first I just made carvings on turnwork (a good example of applied art), now I make all sorts of carvings.

Summarizing the previous, I can say that I have learned a lot from my tutor and friend Joost Kramer, and that the way we chose to work together - two one-man businesses in one turnshop - has lead to growth, both on a personal level and in the quality of the products we make.

Jan van Zelst
Woodturner