Be A Reality TV Star

If you are a woodturner who lives in Ireland (I know, but we actually get visitors from Ireland) you have an opportunity to be in a reality TV show. Big Mountain Productions, along with the Craft Council of Ireland, is creating a 6 show series to find the Mastercrafter of 2011.

The first five shows will feature fifteen apprentices in an intensive two-week residential course in the craft discipline of their choice. The disciplines are ceramics, glass, metal (blacksmithing), textiles (weaving) or wood (woodturning). The apprentices will be under the guidance of a relevant Master of Craft.

The efforts of the apprentices will be adjudicated by a panel to narrow down the contestants to just one in each discipline. The sixth, and final, show will be recorded in Dublin on July 26th and 27th with the winner of the title Mastercrafter of 2011 announced the afternoon of the 27th.

So if you meet the elegibility requirements to enter, you could be the next Mastercrafter. You can find information and the application form on the Big Mountain Productions website, www.bigmountainproductions.com.

woodturning events

Great Falls Turners Symposium

jimmy clewesThe members of the AAW chapter in Great Falls, Montana have been hard at work planning for a symposium in September. They have just announced that they are bringing in Jimmy Clewes as their demonstrator and they are very excited about the opportunity. And they are willing to share that opportunity with you.

Jimmy Clewes is an internationally acclaimed woodturning artist and instructor. Originally from England, he now makes his home in the United States and, when not travelling to give demonstrations, offers woodturning instruction in his new, fully-equipped workshop in Las Vegas, Nevada. When asked what drives him, Jimmy Says:

“My energy comes from those around me. When I can stir the creativity of one’s mind, that for me is very satisfying. As with any artform, expression is only limited as one’s mind and I want to ‘raise the bar’ and create an awareness of the artform that has been virtually unknown to most people.”

The Great Falls Turners Symposium is scheduled for two days, September 24th and 25th, 2011 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Registration is $95 for the symposium with a $15 discount for registration before August 15th. Information, including hotel discounts, and the registration form can be found here.

chapter profile / demonstrator

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

demonstrator / Membership Meeting / techniques / tools

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

AAW / Message

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!

members

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/.

demonstrator / Membership Meeting / woodturner profile