Ralph will start the class with an overview of the different techniques that will be covered and then dive right in with decorating projects. He will cover surface preparation, resin inlays, the use of spray paint as a base coat, how to get the most from interference paints and metallic paints, how to achieve a “crackle” finish, and how to incorporate molding paste and gold leaf into the work. Demonstrations on using pyrography as a decoration and for highlighting other decorative elements, as well as showing students how to make their own custom pen tips will be covered. Ralph will present how layering various colors can be combined with using a grinder to create unique effects, including the use of the grinder with the workpiece mounted on a spinning lathe. Safety will always be the highest priority. While Ralph will cover some turning techniques, students are expected to be at least moderately proficient turners. The focus will be on the decoration, not on difficult technical projects. The goal is to have each student go home with 6-10 finished or nearly complete heirloom projects. The pace of the class will be tailored to the student, and there will usually be 2-3 projects at various stages of completion to minimize downtime. Ralph will demonstrate his finishing techniques, which are simple, beautiful, and require no elaborate setup.