Christmas Update
Well, this year with a number of projects going on in the
shop (I wonder if they ever get done) and some new floors being installed in
the house, I need some quick but classy gifts for friends and family. Enter the Drunken Woodworker to the
rescue. He sells on number of completed
boxes and display items on his website, as well as, plans for making some of
them. I really liked his wine bottle and
glass display rack and purchased the template for a reasonable $3 (cheap at
twice the price). It was exactly what I needed. And within a couple of days I had five Christmas
presents done and ready to wrap. OK – add three more days for oil/varnish
finish.
Completed wine bottle and glass display rack ready for finish;
done in African mahogany and maple.
Finished and ready to wrap
Belated WIA Post
Once again this past October I went to Woodworking in
America sponsored by Popular Woodworking.
This is my fourth time to attend WIA, and as always, it’s the woodworking
community event of the year. While there
are always great classes, and the marketplace can’t be beat, it’s the comradely
of old friends and meeting new ones that brings me back year after year. This year all the Wood Talk guys finally all
met up in person. Marc, Matt and Shannon
are not only great woodworkers and ww media types; they are also very
approachable and friendly to all…well not so much for Matt J This year I did spend a fair amount of time
with the Modern
Woodworkers Association guys (Tom, Dyami, Chris A., and Sean). I have known most of them for a few years now
and they are a great bunch of guys and cigar aficionados (a little inside
baseball). I also got to meet back up
with Ian, Arron, Chris L., Wilbur and Nik; and meet some new friends in David, Robert,
Mark, Brian and Mike M. (apologies if a missed anyone).
Anyway, as I’m sure you have read a number of posts on
benefits and fun of attending WIA. Here
are my helpful pro-tips for attending the event next year.
- Register early for the discount and book your hotel room
- Where to Stay? Either stay at the Embassy Suites or know someone who will. Why? Manager’s Reception (i.e., free beer). Oh…and free breakfast too with an omelet bar. If you plan on sharing a room with a buddy, the Embassy suites is also the best suited for such an arrangement.
- Visit the marketplace often. Make sure and save up for the event, because even if you have a very well equipment shop, you will find something you just gotta have.
- Keep an ear to the ground for the best classes. There is always an instructor or two that steals the show. You want to make sure you don’t miss their classes.
- Don’t be shy. You know why you’re here…to eat, sleep and drink woodworking
- Go out to the local watering holes and meet new friends in the evenings
- Hydrate (see 5 above)
- Participate in the Hand Tool Olympics. Even if you’re not a hand tool guy there are experts to help you out. And nothing‘s better than one-on-one instruction.
- Come back again next year
Below are a few pics of WIA13
I did find the "Shop Monkey"
MWA recording live at WIA
Hand Tool Olympics: Aaron winning...need I say more
What I bought this year...yes, that includes the router table
