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Jim Oliver

Jim Oliver began woodturning after his retirement from the Agricultural Research Service in 2004.  He primarily uses woods from local trees that were being cut down for other reasons.  As a retired chemist, he still enjoys experimenting, and investigates new stains and also wood conditioners that may permit utilization of spalted and highly figured woods that would otherwise be unsuitable for use.

Jim lives and works in Oella Maryland (the historic portion of Ellicott City lying east of the Patapsco River) with his wife Maria.  They have two sons and two grandchildren.