Hi, I am Mike McJunkin. My educational and professional background is in computer science. I have been employed for the past 30 years as a computer programmer and systems analyst, the last 25, of which, at a large university. This is an occupation which is not without its own particular stresses and frustrations. Gratification is almost always delayed and sometimes nonexistent. Several years ago, I began constructing and decorating dollhouses and scale furniture with the assistance of my wife of 32 years, Nancy, as a means of relaxation and stress relief. There is something very therapeutic and relaxing about making wood chips. My love affair with all things miniature has been growing ever since. Some three years ago I was seeking a new media of artistic expression in miniature and happened upon some of the miniature turned objects being offered on the WEB by established artisans. Admiring their beauty and craftwork I decided that I would like to try some of this type craftwork myself. Here you see the result.

Why miniature turning rather than full size? Other than my love of miniature objects, there are a number of reasons. Foremost of which is the challenge: detailing very small turnings is demanding and tools small enough to accomplish this type work are commercially nonexixtent so I have to make my own. Then, there is the issue of material cost -- to turn a 12" high urn from a tropical exotic such as one of the rosewoods is cost prohibitive; to turn this same shape at 1" is much more reasonable. Finally, is the safety consideration: large chunks of hard heavy material rotating at high speed can be very dangerous. A fly-off or disintegration could literally be fatal or, at best, maiming. These type accidents do occasionally happen to even the most seasoned wood turners. Smaller objects are very much less dangerous due to their much smaller mass.

Although I use many of the rarest and most exotic and expensive materials obtainable, because the current market often demands their 'flash and filigree', I also enjoy using unusual domestic woods such as wild plum, currant, a variety of ornamentals, various hardwood burls, and spalts which can often meet or exceed many of the tropical exotics in figure and beauty. I believe that to some extent, form outweighs substance in importance.

Each piece is signed,when possible, along with a description of the item which will include the type of wood and its origin.