Short Bus Woodworking: Christmas Update and the Belated WIA Post

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