Woodturning on Instagram — @turning_bytes Behind the Scenes

I created an Instagram account to better connect with fellow woodturners and woodworkers. I had been primarily getting inspiration from people on YouTube, but I’ve been blown away by the creativity and community of so many woodturners on Instagram. While I tend to not use social media much, I decided to try it out and see how it goes.

What I Post

The account is a mix of finished pieces, in-progress shots, and the occasional short clip of a turning in progress. Finished bowls and vessels make up most of it — I try to photograph them in good natural light so the grain and figure read the way they do in person. I also share the less glamorous stuff: the blank that cracked, the finish that didn’t cooperate, the tool catch that required a lot of sanding to fix. Woodturning involves a lot of failure, and I think it’s worth showing that alongside the results.

The Community

The woodturning community on Instagram is genuinely welcoming. I’ve gotten helpful feedback on finish choices, technique questions, and wood identification from people who have been turning for decades. It’s a different dynamic than YouTube — more conversational, more back-and-forth — and I’ve found myself learning from it in ways I didn’t expect.

What I Hope to Build

Being able to share my progress and teach others what I know (however little that might be) is rewarding on its own. Longer term, I’d like to use the account to build enough of an audience that selling pieces online makes sense — whether through my own shop or somewhere like Etsy. Building that kind of market takes time and consistency, and Instagram feels like a reasonable first step.

If you’re into woodturning or handmade wood objects, come find me at @turning_bytes.

Explore More

Browse all finished pieces in the bowl gallery →, or see what’s currently available in the shop →.

Curious about a specific wood or finish? The wood species guide → and finishes guide → cover the main decisions behind every piece.

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