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... 

 

Is it cold enough for everyone? Growing up in the mountains of Pennsylvania, march­ing in both band & Idrum corps, wearing a school uniform that consisted of a skirt, I always thought I was immune to cold. I guess I have been in NC too long. I am cold!!! Time to get out the heated mattress pad.

My little shop is coming along. I have recently added more machinery and a bunch of wood which has caused an instant space issue. I am designing a wood rack that will attach to the wall and am utilizing the rafter space for items that just need storage - a place to be. After several hours of arrang­ing the shop and organizing tools on my peg board, it is now obvious that progress is being made. I was able to finish the day by making a couple of shelves for the house without having to move one tool/saw to use another. That was awesome.

Several members who have not been attending our monthly meetings have expressed interest in joining us. The problem they are having in coming however is that they need to car pool. For many different reasons such as getting older, eyesight issues at night, our deer population at this time of year, and cost of gas on fixed incomes are just a few. It would be great if folks could connect and work out bringing these members with you when you come. I know that we have a need in the Creed­moor and Wake Forest areas. If you live in either of these areas or close to them and would be willing to help a fellow member get to a few meetings -- please let me or Kay Baker know.

Thanksgiving free patterns suitable for carving, woodburning (pyrography), intarsia or scrollsaw ideas. This free woodworking plans and projects infor­mation is a good source for cornu­copia, pumpkin, Puritan and other related Thanksgiving Day patterns.

Jim Barry's WoodworkersWorkshop.com

"Not what we say about our bless­ings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiv­ing."

Till next time...