Although Lissi is a tiny little lady, she is responsible for most of the largest woodturnings at Turning Leaf Wood Art. Lissi stands 5’2” and is 66 years young. Even though her pieces are huge, she does them all by herself. Lissi has been featured on HGTV’s “Women in the Arts” and “Masters of the Arts.”

     Lissi Oland is somewhat of a Cinderella story in this area. As a young lady, Lissi wrote to a friend in the U.S. and asked him to find her a job. She had just finished a 3 year program in the Danish bank in 1961 and was ready for a new start. The Bidstrup's, whom she met in Copenhagen before coming over, signed her immigration papers .  Lissi came directly from Copenhagen to the John C. Campbell Folk School and worked there for a year. She then attended Berea College where she earned a degree in German. After graduating, she went to the University of Kentucky for a two year degree in dental technology. She set up a dental lab in the basement of the Bidstrup's home and also cared for the ailing Bidstrups. In 1974 Lissi met a fellow Dane, Knud Øland, a former headmaster of a Danish youth school. In 1978 Knud and Lissi were married. Helen, their daughter, arrived in 1981. Eventually Lissi inherited the beautiful home of George and Marguerite Bidstrup. The home is on a lovely parcel of land in the southern Appalachian mountains not far from the John C. Campbell Folk School and includes the original Øland wood turning studio. For 17 years Lissi helped her husband in his woodturning business. She did all the finishing work, the sanding and polishing, and the paperwork side of the business. In 1991 Knud passed away leaving Lissi and their 10 year old daughter. Lissi, determined to carry on her husbands work! And so, using a big tractor and an engine hoist as a substitute for brute and brawn, Lissi has successfully carried on the Øland Woodturning tradition. Hand turned bowls, platters and art pieces, all unusually large and made of local woods are her specialties. She also has continued the Øland line of turning tools, and is much sought after as an instructor and a demonstrator in the art of woodturning. Lissi still lives in the beautiful home that captured her heart and her imagination as a young lady. Knud and Lissi’s daughter Helen is the webmaster for Turning Leaf Wood Art and  Knud’s daughter Bodil, a former opera singer, has now joined Lissi in the shop, thus carrying on the Øland wood turning tradition .

    It is with great pleasure and honor that Turning Leaf Wood Art offers to you the tremendous works of Lissi Oland. Her pieces are breathtakingly beautiful and sure to become an heirloom in your family.

    "I turn pieces any where from 2" in diameter till  29" .  I use mostly local woods and have a great supply of very prettily spalted maple, which I favor.  I am able to do all the work without help except from a large tractor, several different size chain saws, a dolly and an engine hoist.  It is a very gratifying and exciting experience to follow the pieces along until they finally are finished.  A great form of therapy.", so she says.

 Please call 706-632-6625 or email turningleaf@tds.net to check availability.