MauBow Turnings 

Biography                                                                        Artist Statement

I have been intrigued by wood for as long as I can remember. Growing up in rural Northeast Kansas, I would marvel at the beautiful furniture my father and grandfather could make and knew I wanted to do the same. After moving to Des Moines, IA from Chicago, IL in 2000, I had space to explore this desire. I had started making simple furniture and other items in the shabby chic genre with my wife Paige around 1996. The name MauBow is a combination of her maiden name, Maurer and Bower. Making furniture was satisfying, but my need for instant gratification made the long process tedious. 

I began turning wood from time to time in 2005 making some simple spindle turnings and a baseball bat for my brother-in-law. In late 2006 I became addicted to woodturning as a few short hours at a lathe the artist can create a beautiful piece from start to finish. I am self taught for the most part and through trial and error I have tried to become a better woodturner over time making bowls, vases, and other forms. 

I only use wood that has been cut due to disease, for safety reasons or construction and found wood. My lathe was built by my grandfather, KP Bower, out of a Maytag clothing press and washing machine. I have updated and refurbished the lathe most notably during the summer of 2007 and named it the "Heritage Maytag" Click here to see some of that process if you are interested.

My father, Wayne Bower, is also an accomplished woodturner who also enjoys making woodturning tools as much as turning.

To see some shots of the MauBow Turning studio click here.

To download articles and tips Jeff has found useful click here.

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A little more about Jeff and his family.