Jeff Hornung is an award-winning woodturner, artist, instructor, demonstrator, and product designer whose work combines technical mastery with a distinctive contemporary aesthetic.
His woodturning career began unexpectedly after a 2011 car accident and concussion led him to the John C. Campbell Folk School, where craft became part of his recovery and ultimately his professional path. Since then, Hornung has become a juried artist, a 2019 Craft Alliance Artist in Residence, and an instructor at both Craft Alliance and the John C. Campbell Folk School.

He is also an experienced virtual instructor, providing live interactive remote demonstrations since early 2019, and has demonstrated nationally and internationally. Hornung is the first and currently only American woodturner accepted into the Register of Professional Turners, a prestigious British organization dedicated to quality and excellence in woodturning

Beyond teaching and demonstrating, he is an industry expert, woodturning product vendor, and designer of three woodturning chuck jaw profiles. His current work blends color, texture, form, and function, often creating the illusion of porcelain, basketry, or ancient metalwork while remaining entirely wood-based.

Basket Illusion Turning
Basket illusion turning takes a simple beaded surface and transforms it into what looks like a woven basket using indexing, burning, and color work. The original works were planned out to be reminiscent of Native American basketry, using colors and patterns found in the American Southwest.  This beginner‑level demo breaks the process down into clear, repeatable steps so any turner can get started without special equipment or advanced experience.

Participants will learn:

• How to prepare a turning blank for basket illusion work
• Beading tool options
• How indexing creates the “grid” that defines the pattern
• Burning clean, consistent lines for the woven effect
• Basic color sequencing to create depth, shadow, and visual rhythm
• Common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them

We will discuss shop made layout jigs as well as some commercially available options. 

This demo focuses on fundamentals: layout, workflow, and understanding how the illusion works. Attendees will leave with the confidence to create their first basket illusion platter, bowl, hollowform or flat‑rimmed form using tools they already own.

Beginner Segmented Turning
Segmented turning lets woodturners create striking patterns, color contrasts, and form shapes and sizes that may be challenging to find in a single solid piece of wood. This beginner‑level demo breaks the process down into simple, reliable steps so any turner can build their first segmented project with confidence.

Participants will learn:

• How to design a basic segmented ring without complex math
• Wood selection, grain orientation, and color planning
• How segmented design software can simplify layout, ring counts, and pattern planning
• Safe, accurate methods for cutting segments
• Glue‑up strategies that reduce stress and increase success
• How to flatten, true, and stack rings for clean assembly
• Turning techniques that keep joints tight and patterns aligned
• Common pitfalls in early segmented work and how to avoid them

This demo focuses on workflow, accuracy, and understanding how segmented construction works from the inside out. Attendees will leave with the skills to design and build their first bowl, vessel, or open‑segment form using accessible tools and straightforward techniques.

Please note:  no math was harmed in the making of this demo.  And seriously, if I can do it…anyone can! 

Let there be…Lights!!
This illuminating demo explores the creation of two styles of candle holders and a table lamp, blending clean turning techniques with simple, reliable lighting solutions. Whether you want warm ambience, functional lighting, or just an excuse to say “I made this glow,” this session walks through the entire process from blank to bright.

Participants will learn:

• How to design and turn two distinct candle holder forms
• Safe, effective methods for drilling, hollowing, and fitting inserts
• Wood selection and grain orientation for heat‑adjacent projects
• How to incorporate LED components for a table lamp without electrical headaches
• Strategies for clean wire routing, stable bases, and secure hardware installation
• Finishing options for natural wood or color and embellishing
• Common pitfalls when mixing turning and lighting — and how to avoid them

This demo focuses on approachable techniques, thoughtful design, and practical lighting integration. Attendees will leave with the skills and confidence to create candle holders, lamps, and other light‑bearing projects that look great and set the mood. 

Jeff’s 2027 FWS photo gallery:

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