Chatter Tool Video

If you were in attendance at last night’s membership meeting you were treated to a great demo by Bonnie Klein. Bonnie took us through making an Easter egg box with a threaded lid.

One of the tools that Bonnie used for decorating the egg was a chatter tool. There were lots of questions about this tool and as it happens, Woodworkers Journal recently released a video on how to use a chatter tool.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eSFWMJaP6c

AAW Educational Opportunity Grant Auction

The following is a message from AAW Board Member Binh Pho

binh phoYears ago when I was fairly new to the field of woodturning, I was at an AAW symposium and witnessed an amazing event at the Educational Opportunity Grant (EOG) auction. People were bidding on what had been written on a napkin! David Ellsworth had simply written, I owe you a piece about six inches in diameter, then signed it, D.E. I recall the high bid was around $4,000. All I could think was, “Wow! Four grand for some writing on a napkin.”

The following year, I was tempted to put one of my creations in the auction, but I was concerned that no one would bid on my donation because I wasn’t a well-known artist. Nevertheless, I donated one of my works and it brought in $250. I was tickled pink.

Each year the auction grows as more pieces are donated and the AAW often generates more money than the previous year. This is the beauty and the strength of the AAW and its members: It doesn’t matter who we are or where we are with our skills, we all have a willingness to chip in and help the organization grow and prosper. That spirit has and will continue to build a strong foundation for the AAW.

aaw 25th anniversaryThe EOG auction is one of the highlights of the symposium; all the donated pieces are auctioned either silently or live. This year the live auction promises to be the most successful one ever because many major collectors will join us to celebrate our 25th anniversary as the Collectors of Wood Art forum is being held in conjunction with the AAW symposium. This is a great opportunity to get exposure for your work. Donations of quality work and enthusiastic bidding allow us to achieve a successful auction.

Many top turners and past demonstrators from all over the world will attend this event, joined by new demonstrators, many local to the Saint Paul area. To name a few who have already donated to the auction: David Ellsworth, Trent Bosch, Jacques Vesery, Tim Heil, John Jordan, John Wessel, Ray Key, Joey Richardson, Bill Pottorf, J Paul Fennell, and Michael Hosaluk.

Consider donating something to this year’s EOG auction-it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional-or bidding on a great piece of art. Tables in the Instant Gallery will be set up to accept your work and bidding sheets will be available.

Best wishes and see you in Saint Paul!

Binh Pho, EOG Auction Committee

SPSW Annual Clean-up

sork glovesWe are fortunate at the SPSW that we have a great location for our Sawdust Sessions and special demonstrations. Nancy Sweazey graciously lets us use her shop and if you have been there you know how well it is set up for turning. So to show her our appreciation we will be holding our annual clean-up day at Nancy’s place on Saturday, April 30th from 9:00 to noon. Members are asked to bring their rakes and weed whackers and enjoy three hours of camaraderie with your fellow club members. This is not the time to say let someone else do it. If you enjoy the Sawdust Sessions come on out and have fun!

April Demonstrator

bonnie kleinThis is a special month. We are very pleased to have Bonnie Klein as our guest demonstrator.

Bonnie has been involved with woodturning since the early 1980’s, attending most of the major woodturning symposiums for over 25 years. In 1986 she designed the small Klein Lathe which has been in production for over 20 years. In 1992 she introduced the Klein Threading Jig as an accessory to the lathe for cutting threads in wood. Bonnie produced 5 turning videos which have now been converted to DVD’s and in 2005 wrote a woodturning project book. Her popularity as a demonstrator and educator has resulted in invitations to countries around the world, as well as all around the USA. In recent years she has been a featured demonstrator in several International Symposiums – in South Africa, Canada, the UK and Australia. In 2003 the American Association of Woodturners awarded Bonnie with an AAW Honorary Lifetime Member in recognition of her contributions to woodturning.

“I turn for the love of the creative process. I am addicted to discovery, progress, and the fact that perfection is forever elusive but, as I strive for it, yesterday’s challenges become the basic skills of tomorrow. I love the distinct smell of the various woods, the sound of the shavings as they are cut by a sharp tool, and how quickly a form appears from a block of material. In the past I have enjoyed many other crafts – spinning, knitting, weaving, basketry, etc, but not only for the tactile sensations. The aroma of spinning “in the grease”, the smell of wet reeds for a basket, the sound of a shuttle or the clicking of knitting needles all contributed to the satisfaction of making something. Experimenting with turning unusual materials such as bone, plastic, tagua nuts, aluminum and horn has led to many more interesting sensations for the eyes, ears, hands and nose.”

You can read more about Bonnie on her website http://www.bonnieklein.com/.

IWCS Northwest Spring Meeting

international wood collectors society logoThe International Wood Collectors Society (IWCS) will be holding their Northwest Spring Meeting on May 7th. They have planned a day full of demos, displays, wood varieties, show & tell, wood auction and more. Demonstrations will include woodturning by Ed Quesnell, Fred Holder and John Hampton. The event will be held at the Adna Grange hall 5 miles west of Chehalis on hiway 6. Take exit # 77 off of Interstate 5 and watch for IWCS signs.

Everyone is encouraged to bring displays of their craftwork and tables will be available. Bring some of your new creations as well as some of your favorite items that you may have shown before.

Doors will open at 9 am and coffee and goodies will be available. A meal will be served at noon by the ladies of the Grange for $10 per person. The Grange requests dinner confirmation by April 23rd.

This meeting is not limited to IWCS members. Please invite any interested persons that you know to attend. There is no admission fee. Visitors do not have to eat lunch at the Grange if they choose not to do so.

More information and registration information can be found on the IWCS website.