Meet David Condon: Woodturner from Tralee, Co. Kerry Ireland
From the Tree to the Finished Piece, to Your Home.
Welcome to my world of Woodturning and Woodcraft! I'm David Condon, a born and bred Irish woodturner with a passion for transforming Fallen Irish hardwoods into stunning, functional & artistic pieces. Situated just outside of Tralee Co. Kerry, my workshop is where nature's raw beauty meets meticulous craftsmanship.
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A Journey of Craftsmanship: I specialize in rescuing hardwoods directly from fallen trees and breathing new life into them. From elegant home decor & functional pieces to occasional artistic masterpieces, my work embodies the spirit and beauty of Irish wood.
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Join Me in Woodturning: Whether you're a beginner or looking to hone your skills, I offer comprehensive Woodturning tuition lessons. Join me in my workshop and embark on your own creative journey, guided by years of experience and a genuine love for the craft. I also carry an extensive range of essential Woodturning Tools, Chestnut Products, Hampshire Sheen, Woodturning Blanks and Sanding Essentials to help you on your journey to finding excellence in your own creations. I also carry an extensive range of Woodturning Pen Blanks if pens are your interest. If you are only a casual interest in Woodturning or are looking for an interesting day out, my Woodturning Experiences may be right up your street.
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Discover the Joy of a Woodturning Experience: If you have a casual interest in woodturning or are simply looking for a unique and engaging day out, my Woodturning Experiences could be just what you're looking for. These hands-on sessions are designed to give you a taste of the craft in a fun, relaxed setting, making them perfect for beginners or anyone curious about the art of woodturning. Whether you're seeking a creative way to spend a few hours, a memorable gift idea, or just a chance to try something completely different, these experiences are an enjoyable and rewarding introduction to this timeless skill.
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Expanding into Craft Supplies: To support my own craft and fellow crafters alike, I've expanded my offerings to include a wide range of craft supplies. From high-quality craft ribbons to product embellishments, I provide resources for hobbyists and professional alike. I have been delighted to have been recently discovered by event planners for Occasion Parties, Engagements & Weddings to name a few. Check out my Crafter's Haven page for an overview of products.
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Stay Connected: Follow my journey and get inspired by checking out my social media accounts below. Join our vibrant community of woodturning enthusiasts and craft lovers.
Thank you for visiting my site. I hope you find something that sparks your creativity and love for handcrafted art.
Follow My Social Media Online:
Here are a few pictures of me, I'm normally extremely camera shy so it took a lot of effort to be in frame. I Turn & Craft pieces using Irish Hardwood almost exclusively, cutting the wood from the trees & drying them in my workshop. My aim is to give you a product that is truly Irish Made to the best quality I'm capable of. Each piece you buy from me has a history which I am happy to share with you.
Pictured above; The smaller Ash Bowl came from Glencar and went to a buyer in Cork. The larger one came from Tralee and went to a buyer in California USA.
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Want to see my Work or buy something from me?
I’d be happy to set up a display for you! While I don't have a permanent shop, I welcome visitors. To ensure you have the best experience, please send me a message through the Contact page with a list of items you’d like to see. This way, I can arrange a time for your visit and have everything ready for you to view. I’ve had some unannounced callers in the past who were disappointed to find nothing on display, so letting me know in advance is greatly appreciated.
First Time Here?
Looking to book a Woodturning Tuition Session or a hands-on Woodturning Experience? You'll find all the information you need in the listings by following the links above. Each session type is described in detail, ensuring you know exactly what to expect and how to secure your spot. If you have any further questions, my Contact page and Chat Function are always available to assist you.
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Interested in owning one of my handcrafted pieces? I know it can be difficult to appreciate the full beauty of a piece from just a photo. Many of my customers have told me that the photos don't capture the true artistry and quality until they see and feel the piece in person. True craftsmanship may be more expensive, but its unique value and the joy it brings are beyond measure.
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Learn more about the My Process here
Above is me Rough turning a large Ash bowl in 2019 (I think)
Where I'm Located
I live in a valley at the foot of the Short Mountain just outside Tralee Town. The town itself sits in the main Valley parallel to mine and both vallies open up into Tralee Bay. The mountain that rises above my house is the Sliabh Mish mountain range which stretches back about halfway along the Dingle Peninsula. This area is a beautiful picturesque Irish landscape, one of hundreds on our beautiful island. My address can be found on the Contact Page.
I live about a mile from the centre of Tralee in a rural setting. Don't worry, I can easily be found on Google.
The Ash Bowl above is from a tree that came from Glencar Co Kerry which I sold a few years ago and is one of my most favourite creations ever. Everything about the bowl just turned out perfect so I continue to use it in some of my adverts.
Woodturning Teacher
I offer a range of Private Tuition Classes for beginner Woodturners from my Workshop in Tralee. Early on, I discovered a niche in helping aspiring Woodturners avoid common pitfalls when starting out. Many beginners invest in poor-quality lathes, tools, or sharpening equipment, leading to frustration and higher costs in the long run. Where I stand out is by focusing on advice—helping students choose the right tools and equipment for their needs & budgets, rather than diving into specific projects too early. This practical guidance ensures students start off on the right foot, with a solid foundation. Once we’ve covered the basics, including sharpening and maintaining tools, the focus shifts to how to use those tools effectively. Turning practice work takes place towards the end of the first session and project work usually begins in the second session when & if students feel more confident and prepared. My sessions now start at 4 hours, offering ample time for learning without becoming overwhelming.
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Many students tell me that the money they save by following my advice far outweighs the cost of the sessions themselves. Teaching safe and efficient woodturning techniques while helping students invest wisely in equipment is incredibly rewarding for me. Since late 2019, I’ve also welcomed visiting tourists into my Workshop through engaging Woodturning Experiences, providing a unique opportunity to explore the craft firsthand.
Check out my Woodturning Tuition or Woodturning Experiences pages if this craft interests you.
There are Gift Vouchers available for nearly all options, ideal if you are looking for a quick gift idea!
Why Sell Ribbon etc?
A Woodturner selling Craft Ribbon & More? Really, why? I spent ages searching for quality craft supplies to use for my smaller products to show them at their best. Supply issues from other vendors who had Backorder policies with a 7 to 10 Business Day turnaround until receipt pushed me to go my own way and become a reseller. Now that I have access to high quality stock I can offer other crafters & the general public the same stock with a much shorter delivery turnaround. I admit, it is a bit strange for a Woodturner to sell Ribbons, Bows, Organza Bags etc. but you have to go where the business takes you and in future I aim to keep expanding my range of products and become a major Craft Supplies provider in Ireland going forward. Order from me today and see for yourself!
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So What is this website all about?
A new visitor to my website might be confused to see a Crafter's website with so many products that are seemingly unrelated to their Woodcraft business. You're not alone if you think that it is strange, I do feel that way myself sometimes. I started out simply as a Woodturner selling my handcrafted bits and pieces. After a few years, I added the Tuition and then the Tools & Finishes naturally slotted into the business nicely. I started selling Ribbons & Organza Bags and a few other products because I was using them in my business and I reckoned that I could do better if I retailed those products to others with their own Craft businesses. I was doing well enough with sales to keep it going and my original hope was that buyers would purchase one or two of my pieces and purchase some ribbons to wrap them with.
It was during Covid that I started expanding the range of products. Being a Woodturner on its own is too small a niche to make any kind of living. Many other Woodturners branch out into secondary products to supplement their incomes but they generally tend to stick with Woodturning related items. I think I am entirely unique in my shotgun blast approach to sales from Woodcraft to Craft Supplies! I did recently consider taking all the Craft products off onto their own website but was advised by a marketing expert to stay as I am as each side of my business lends credibility to the other.
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Buy me a Coffee?
I had been running Google Ads on my website to bring in some extra income from November 2023 to Mid 2024. I removed those ads from my website as I felt they were becoming intrusive and affecting visitors browsing experiences. I have chosen to add the 'Buy me a Coffee?' Button instead. I need an option that can bring in small amounts to help supplement my business. Woodturning is not a millionaires game as I'm sure many people may or may not know.
I realise that most of my Blog Readers and site visitors may not be inclined to support, even if it is as small as a cup of coffee but it's still worth adding while gaining a more responsive website.
If you'd like to support an Artisan like myself, please buy me a coffee. No pressure.