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September Membership Meeting
We are planning another hybrid meeting on September 16th at 7:00PM. Hybrid meetings are those where some of the members choose to meet in person at the Fife Community Center and others may log in from home. As of now, the Fife Community Center remains open, with the state required mask mandate. That means that everyone attending at the Fife Center must wear a mask to be in the meeting room.
Whether you come to the September membership meeting in-person or log into the zoom meeting from your own device, our program in September will feature our own Eric Lofstrom. Eric has demonstrated for us several times before. Eric is known for his systematic approach to his work, for his emphasis on body mechanics and tool use. During this session, Eric will be demonstrating how to do a “Square Rimmed Bowl”. During this presentation you will see elements related to proper design principals, pleasing forms, how to make crisp cuts that require little sanding, and layering of interference paints and translucent finishes.
Kirk DeHeer Video Available to Members
SPSW members, Kirk DeHeer recorded his demo last night and is making it available to us for 30 days. It is on our list of Monthly Demonstrator Videos under For Members. Reminder that you must be a paid SPSW member and have been granted access to this area of the website.
August Membership Meeting
We will have another “in-person” meeting at the Fife Community Center on August 19th. Our presenter this time will be Kirk DeHeer. Kirk has 25+ years of experience and is known for his knowledge of woodturning tools, equipment and techniques. During this presentation, Kirk will take us through the entire “twice-turned bowl” process. He covers many tips and tricks during his presentation, and Doug Reynolds says that this is a great demo because there is something of interest in it for all levels of woodturners.
Kirk has been a Resident Instructor at Craft Supplies USA in the Dale Nish school of woodturning for many years. The doors of the Fife Community Center will open at 6:30, and the meeting will start at 7:00 and run until about 9:00PM. For new members, the Fife Community Center is located at 2111 54th Ave E., Fife, WA 98424.
July Membership Meeting
I have spoken to many SPSW members since self-isolation started, and the most common comment was that members have greatly missed being able to see and talk to the many friends they have made as members of the SPSW.
The Board has decided that having a mini-symposium would be a great format for our first in-person meeting, because then members will be able to have opportunities to reconnect and visit with each other. For those unfamiliar with the mini-symposium format, there will be several members giving simultaneous demonstrations and activities. There will be lathe demos focusing on hollowing, basic turning, making baby rattles, and adding interest to turnings using branding/wood burning techniques.
There will also be a “flea market” table for buying and selling turning tools, so if you have some to sell, put a price on them and bring them to the meeting. Pat McCart will have the club’s bench grinder and CBN wheels set up to demonstrate tool sharpening. So if you would like to learn how to sharpen, bring a couple tools and Pat will help get you started. Fred will show you how to photograph your work and will actually take pictures of some of your work if you will bring a couple of pieces to the meeting. There will be a wood sales table, membership table, and a mentoring table. Also, Ken Light will have a Store Sales table where you can buy glue, abrasives, finishes, and other items at great prices.
The best way to get a lot out of a mini-symposium is just wander around and see whatever you’re interested in. Please take advantage of the opportunity to meet some new friends and learn some new techniques.
John Howard
SPSW President
2021 AAW Symposium
The AAW is once again holding its annual symposium virtually on July 17 & 18.
The AAW will use an enhanced virtual event software platform to offer multiple concurrent live demonstration tracks, panel discussions, special interest topics, a trade show, Instant Gallery, live and silent auctions, drawings, and more. You’ll have opportunities to engage with other attendees face-to-face, plan your sessions, or skip around – you decide. The only thing missing will be the handshakes and hugs from old and new woodturning friends!
The cost of admission is $45 for AAW members and $60 for all others. Even if you’re not able to participate in the complete two-day online experience, registered attendees will have access to recorded replays of featured demonstrations and panel discussions. You’ll be able to watch them on your own time.
Check out the AAW Virtual Symposium pages and download the symposium planning guide.
New Videos Up
SPSW members, the last two demonstrations by Steve Sinner on deep hollowing and embellishment are now on our Monthly Demonstrator Videos page. These are available to all paid members who have registered on the site.
Looking for some inspiration while you are staying home? Check out the