My Usual  Turning Process: I acquire wood from many sources. When possible I use wood that is destined to be burned for fire wood  or taken to the dump. Sometimes I am given wood by local tree trimmers. I also buy special and exotic pieces from professional wood suppliers. I usually do the rough turning while the wood is still wet. This is much more efficient and pleasant than turning dry wood. If I can't get to a piece right away I will seal it in a plastic bag until I am ready to turn it. I rough turn my bowls and hollow vessels to about 3/4 of an inch in thickness and seal them with an endgrain wax. I set them aside to dry slowly for three to six months. This lets the moisture content  stabilize to the dry air of the Eastern Sierra. If there is any cracking or extreme warping it will occur at this time. I then judge if the piece is worth continuing to work on. If it shows promise I will remount it on the lathe and begin the final turning.  I work the piece, striving for a final wall thickness that will give it the proper feel. After shape refinement is complete I sand through 1200 grit. I finish the vessel with at least six coats of wipe-on polyurethane or Danish oil, buffing between applications.