Guide to Creating Your Member Gallery on the Southern Piedmont Woodturners Website

Welcome! This guide is designed to help you, our valued Southern Piedmont Woodturners (SPW) members, create and submit your personal gallery on our website. Please follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth experience.

Before You Start:

• Email Address: Use the email address you provided to SPW to verify your membership.
• Prepare Your Description: Write a brief introduction about yourself and your gallery. This will be displayed above your photos.
• Select Your Photos: Choose up to 10 photos (minimum of 3), ensuring they are in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format and no larger than 750MB each. Decide the order of appearance, with the last photo set as your Featured Image.
• Optional Contact Information: If you want, prepare an email address, phone number, and website URL to be displayed publicly on your gallery page.

Step-by-Step Submission Process:

Section 1: SPW Member Information

1. Member Name: Enter your full name as registered with SPW.
2. Member Email: Enter your email address to confirm your membership status.
3. Gallery Description: Paste or type the introduction you prepared earlier. This description will set the context for your gallery and should reflect your artistic style or woodworking philosophy.
4. Section 4: Contact Information for the Gallery Page (Optional)
   • Email: Input an email address if you wish it to be publicly visible.
   • Phone: Add a phone number if you want it displayed.
   • Website: Provide a URL to your personal or professional website.

Section 2: Gallery Photos

1. Uploading Photos: Begin with Photo 1 and continue through to Photo 9. Click ‘Drop files here or Select files’ to choose each photo from your device. Remember, the upload sequence is the display sequence.
2. For each photo:
   • Ensure it meets the file type and size requirements.
   • Each photo needs to be uploaded separately.

Section 3: Featured Photo

1. Featured Image: This is crucial as it represents your gallery on the main member galleries page. Select your most favored photo for this slot.

Final Submission:

• Review and Submit: Ensure all information is correctly entered and photos are uploaded in your desired order.
• Be Patient: After clicking ‘Submit’, please allow a few minutes for your files to upload. A confirmation message will appear once the process is complete.

Post-Submission:

• Our club’s leadership team will review your gallery and approve it for publishing. Once approved, you will receive a personal email from them letting your know it has been approved.
• Your gallery will be visible on the member gallery page after approval. You might need to refresh your browser (Ctrl + F5) to see it.
• Note: Once published, changes cannot be made directly. Should an error occur, please contact the admin team to request a deletion, and you can then create a new gallery.

Additional Tips:

• Use a reliable internet connection during the upload process to avoid interruptions.
• If using a mobile device, ensure it is charged or connected to power, as uploading images can consume more battery.
• Double-check the visibility of your personal contact information before submitting if privacy is a concern.
• Important: Changes cannot be made to your gallery once published. You can submit a request to the admin team to have it deleted and create a new one if you have made an error.

We look forward to showcasing your beautiful woodturning projects! Should you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to reach out for assistance. Happy uploading!

Tips for Writing Your Gallery Introduction

Your introduction is a key part of your member gallery. It’s where you get to tell your story, share your passion for woodturning, and connect with viewers. Consider including:

• Your Woodturning Journey: How long have you been turning wood? What inspired you to start?
• Your Style and Specialties: Do you have a specific style or type of woodwork you specialize in?
• Professional Details: Do you do consignment work, have a website, or sell your pieces?
• Personal Touch: Share a personal story or your feelings about woodturning.

A good introduction should be engaging and informative, giving visitors a sense of who you are as an artist.

Sample Introductions

Introduction for a New Member

Short: “Hello! I’m Jane Doe, and I’m thrilled to share my first collection of woodturning projects. My journey began just a year ago after attending a local woodturning demonstration. Captivated by the art, I have since dedicated many hours to mastering the basics. Although I’m new to this beautiful craft, each piece here represents a step in my ongoing journey of growth and discovery.”

Long: “Hello! My name is Jane Doe, and I recently embarked on the fascinating journey of woodturning. After attending a captivating demonstration last year, I became inspired to try my hand at this age-old craft. Since then, I have been honing my skills, focusing on small projects that allow for detailed work and personal expression. In this gallery, you will find a selection of my early works, each piece reflecting a step in my learning process. From simple bowls to intricate pens, these items represent my initial foray into the world of woodturning. I am excited to share these creations and hope they inspire curiosity and appreciation for this art form.”

Introduction for Displaying Work

Short: “Welcome to my gallery! I’m John Smith, a lifelong enthusiast of wood crafts. Woodturning allows me to express my creativity through the natural beauty of wood. Each piece in this collection is a representation of my personal journey and technique. I hope you enjoy viewing these works as much as I enjoyed creating them.”

Long: “Welcome to my gallery! I’m John Smith, a seasoned woodturner with a passion for creating unique, handcrafted pieces. Over the years, woodturning has become a profound way for me to connect with the natural beauty of wood and transform it into art. My work emphasizes the unique textures and colors of different woods, showcasing their intrinsic beauty. In this collection, you’ll see a range of pieces, each carefully crafted to highlight the material’s natural elegance. From decorative bowls to sculptural pieces, my goal is to create art that resonates with beauty and craftsmanship. Thank you for visiting, and I hope you enjoy exploring the results of my dedication to woodturning.”

Introduction for Consignment Work

Short: “Hi, I’m Emily Johnson. I’ve been turning wood for over ten years, specializing in functional art that brings the warmth of wood into everyday life. Many pieces available in this gallery are also on consignment, crafted with care and ready to enhance any home or office. If you’re interested in custom work or consignment pieces, please feel free to reach out!”

Long: “Hi, I’m Emily Johnson, and I’ve been a professional woodturner for over a decade, specializing in creating functional yet beautiful pieces. My approach combines traditional techniques with contemporary designs, making each creation both aesthetically pleasing and practical. In this gallery, you will find a variety of works that I also offer on consignment, perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of handcrafted art to their spaces. Each piece is made with attention to detail and a deep appreciation for the craft. Beyond this gallery, I collaborate with designers and furniture stores, providing custom pieces tailored to specific needs and preferences. If you’re interested in bespoke woodturnings or looking to feature unique pieces in your business or home, please feel free to contact me. I am always eager to discuss new projects and ideas that allow me to bring woodturning into everyday life.”

Introduction for a Member with a Sales Website

Short: “Welcome to my online gallery! I’m Mark Lee, and woodturning is not just my passion—it’s my profession. I create unique, handcrafted pieces that are available for purchase on my website Mark’s Wood Creations. From exquisite bowls to elegant vases, each item is crafted with precision and care. Explore my gallery and visit my website for more beautiful creations available for sale.”

Long: “Welcome to my online gallery! I am Mark Lee, and woodturning is my passion and profession. Through my website, Mark’s Wood Creations, I offer a variety of handcrafted woodturning pieces, each designed and created with the utmost care and precision. My work focuses on the beauty of function and form, bringing out the best in every piece of wood. This gallery features selections from my extensive collection, ranging from functional kitchenware to decorative art pieces. Each item is available for purchase on my website, allowing you to own a unique piece of handcrafted art. Please enjoy browsing through my creations, and don’t hesitate to visit my website for more options and information on my work. It’s my pleasure to bring the art of woodturning to your home, enhancing your living space with pieces that tell a story of craftsmanship and style.”

These introductions provide a template for you to personalize your gallery’s description, helping you connect with visitors and showcase your woodturning art effectively.