July 2014

I admit that this month the newsletter is late because I have not had anything worthy of talking about ... until today that is. I visited a gentleman that I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with. He and his grandson are very talented chain saw artists. They have a small business in Princeton, NC. They can be found online at www.boonhillgallery.com. The website showcases some of the incredible items they make and gives you a very good idea that this pair knows what they are doing.

There are so many forms of "Art" in this world. Personally I am titled a "graphic artist" -- that is how I made my living. In doing that job I was introduced to the world of publication which I admit, I enjoyed because I felt as though what I was doing made a difference in the lives of others. My proudest moment came with the completion of a novel called "The Docs", it was created for the military in the form of a comic and its purpose is to help those who were in the war zone return to home life. My portion of the book was one of two colorist. It took a year and lots of long hours but 200 pages were created.

If I were to start listing different forms of art it would take days. Art is an expression which can be shown in many many different ways. The sculpting that Corey and his grandfather do is just amazing and definitely an art form that not many can do. They transform a log or standing tree of many different circumferences and turn it into something gorgeous and very interesting, in other words a show piece that anyone would be proud to own.

Take a few minutes and look at the pieces they have put together for their website. The photos I have used came from the gallery of their work.

So -- one more thing I want to learn how to do -- I have a Stihl -- let’s get started!

Till next time...

June 2014

Wow, was May a great meeting. I know it was on a Friday, and I know it was Memorial Day weekend, but I feel bad for those that missed Michele Parsons and her presentation on "Wood Burning".

As an artist myself I thoroughly enjoyed her presentation and I give her credit for giving me the push that I needed. I have been feeling sorry for myself as I have felt that I am letting my craft (the scroll saw) go because of my bleeding disorder. While we all know accidents happen in our shops, I cannot afford for one to happen. Michele reminded me that I am an artist first and foremost and that there are more ways of expressing yourself than creating sawdust. In 1998 I did my first wood burning. I was not sure I truly had a talent for it although I thought I did. As President of the club back then I took advantage (just a little) and took my burning to a meeting and told the club that my furture burning endeavors were in their hands. If the membership thought I had a talent I would do more. Well...my burning escalated to the point that we included a line in our craft business (Bill's Woodshed) which showcased my burnings and offered them for sale. I also won a few awards with two burnings that I put into various competitions.

Since our May meeting I am now looking at starting a new burning and I have been doing wooden art projects with my grandson-monster trucks, small racers, etc. We assemble them and paint them and he palys with them. I have started painting a birdhouse which I hope to have for many years to come. I have also started drawing again which is something I had given up. As I love the use of color I have gotten my paints and pencils out and have been coloring just like a child would and I have to admit -- I am loving it.

I let my judgment be clouded and my mind closed and while I regret that I did not focus on the things I can do -- I am glad I was reminded that my talents extend further than my saw. Don't get me wrong, I miss my saw too!!!

Till next time...

May 2014

May 2014

With the lack of a great idea for a message this month I once again went searching for something really interesting. I hope you enjoy this find. One day I will get over this illness and get back to woodworking.

Using Story Sticks to Build Furniture
Charles Harvey, of Berea, Ky., has created story sticks for more than 80 different chairs over the past 20 years. The stick at left contains all of the information he needs to build his standard dining chair, including mortise locations, rough and finished lengths of components, and the profiles of back slats and the turned finials.
The simplest way to ensure uniformity and accuracy is to eliminate some of that measuring, trading the by-the- numbers approach for direct transfer of dimensions. For years, woodworkers have used shopmade gauges called story sticks to create a physical record of a piece, not only improving their accuracy but also saving time.

A story stick is essentially a slender strip of wood (or metal) that holds a series of markings, notches or notations designating the exact locations and profiles of critical elements. The stick can be used to produce multiples or set aside to be reused in the future. The stick saves the time and trouble of remeasuring each time the information is needed, and it virtually eliminates measuring errors.

Sideboard on a stick. A story stick for a case piece must hold multiple layers of information. The horizontal dimensions of the project go on one side of the stick; on the other side are the vertical divisions. Each side also can be broken up into columns. In this case the first column contains the dimensions for the top, face frame, door rails and knobs, and the next displays the information for the cabinet sides, bottom and partitions.

Till next time...

April 2014

I can hardly believe another month has gone by. I was very happy to be able to attend last months’ meeting. Your continued support touches my heart and keeps me going.

It looks like spring might finally be here. The yellow cloud in the air is a pretty good indicator.

We were able to have a productive board meeting this month. Anyone one who wants details -- let me know and I will send you the meeting minutes.

With Easter fast approaching I went on the hunt for something interesting to share and I found this...I hope you all enjoy and I hope you go to the website for the full details.

Worship Woodworks

www.worshipwoodworks.com

With hard work and attention to details, Worship Woodworks creates and provides affordable, quality materials for the Children & Worship Program. Here at Worship Woodworks, we see it as our ministry to serve congregations, institutions, organizations, and individuals who care for children and whose purpose is helping them understand the stories of The Bible.

Also:

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement

In his Woodchuckle column Don Wilkinson tells a very sweet Easter and Woodworking story.

Be sure to check out the website as well. I may have to step up my game as the newsletter and information provided is very good.

www.canadianwoodworking.com

The site also has free pans which I found to be very intersting as they have plans for toys, furniture, easy projects, and jigs.

www.canadianwoodworking.com/free-plans

Truly looking forward to Garrett Hacks visit this month. Check out his workshop tour at:

http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/video/video-tour-of-garrett-hacks-vermont-workshop.aspx

Till next time...

I can hardly belive another month has gone by. I wish I had some fantastic words of wisdom to share -- but...

I went on the hunt for something interest- ing to share and I found this...I hope you all enjoy and I hope you go to the website for the full interview.

The “Lucky” Ones– An interview with Irish woodworking artist Aislinn Lynch

Aislinn Lynch is an Irish designer working in wood veneer. After earning her BA in Interior and Furniture Design from the Dublin Institute of Technology in 2011, Aislinn (pronounced Ash-lin) was awarded studio space and mentoring at the Malthouse Design Centre, where she is currently based as a Resident Designer. She became inter- ested in woodworking in her last year as an undergraduate and has since exhibited her work in galleries such as the Light Fantastic, where her collection “Lady” was showcased along with more than a dozen Irish lighting designers.

Growing up between Dublin, Chicago, and Windsor, England, Aislinn’s profession is a bit of a departure from her upbring- ing—her parents worked in finance. But her passion for creating beautiful works of art with her hands has proved fulfilling, and at times, surreal. Her positive, open- minded demeanor, combined with her intuit for aesthetics, have paved the way for a long-lasting career in the world of design. But money isn’t anywhere near her biggest motivating factor. It’s simply the joy of creating and collaborating that inspires her work.

Being a female designer myself and having a background in graphics and my love for all things hand created, I found her interview very rewarding.

As of today I plan to join you Tuesday night, fingers crossed I will have a good day. My medical team has promised brighter days ahead...I am ready and I know my family is as well. Illness takes over your life and is a very hard thing not only on you but on

all those that love you. I thank all of you for your continued concern and support.

Till next time...