Don Albrecht

Don Albrecht lives in Mountain View on the Big Island of Hawaii and he has been turning since 1989.  After living in Alaska for 30 years, Don and his wife Pat made the move to Hawaii - ready for a climate change and an abundance of beautiful, tropical woods to turn.

Don personally harvests the wood he uses to emphasize the natural beauty of the wood. He specializes in LARGE natural edge turnings but also turns conventional pieces. Generally he lets the natural edge of the log dictate the shape of his wonderful creations and enhances what nature has already started to create.

After rough turning the pieces to about an inch thick, they are put on shelves to dry for several months.  After they reach a moisture content of about 12%, they are remounted on the lathe for final shaping and sanding.  Finally each piece is buffed and polished for a unique and beautiful one-of-a-kind handcrafted work of art.

He has won numerous awards for his artistry.  In 2007 Don was awarded 1st and 2nd place for the Peoples Choice Award at the annual Big Island Woodturners Exhibit in Hilo and he also received 1st place for the Turners’ Choice Award.  In 2005 he received the Peoples Choice and the Turners’ Choice Award at the Big Island Woodturners Exhibit and he won Honorable Mention at the 2005 East Hawaii Juried Fall Exhibition. Also in 2005 he won 2nd place for turning in the East Hawaii Wood Show. For Don, the pleasure comes from creating something unique- using the forms that Mother Nature provides, and turning them into pleasing works of art.

Don is currently serving as President of the Big Island Woodturners Club.  He served for 3 years as Chairperson for the Big Island Woodturners Exhibit which is held each March at the Wailoa Center in Hilo.  His professional memberships include the American Association of Woodturners, Big Island Woodworkers Guild, the East Hawaii Cultural Center, and Hawaii Craftsmen.