Upcoming Demos

I'll be participating in a number of woodworking demonstrations over the next few months. If you get a chance, stop by to say hello and make some shavings.

Demos are great fun and a great way to get people to try hand tools. There's an element of ego of course, but I get the greatest satisfaction from seeing someone put their hands on a tool and try it out. They think they can't do it, but I can see it in their face as they realize they can, as they feel the tool sing in their hands. My goal is to help spread the craft.

First, I'm thrilled to be helping Phil Lowe and his Furniture Institute of Massachusetts at the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, MA, September 29-30 (the complete event runs September 28-October 8). Phil is an outstanding craftsman. As a member of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, he received the Cartouche Award for excellence in 2005. His is the kind of work I truly aspire to. While I've never taken any classes at FIM, I've read his articles and watched his videos for years. Helping out is my way of paying back for the knowledge he's passed on.

Second, I'll be at the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Events October 19-20 at Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking (information here) and November 30-December 1 back with Phil Lowe at FIM (information here). I participated in the Hand Tool Event at FIM last year.

Third, I'll be helping out with the Guild Of New Hampshire Woodworkers demos at the Portsmouth, NH Woodcraft store on November 10 and December 8. The Guild currently has demonstrations there the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Finally, I'll be at The Furniture Project at the New England Home Show, in Boston, MA, February 21-24. You may remember this is the new name for WoodExpo, which I participated in last year. I'm planning on doing something a little special there, so I'll post more about it once we have details finalized. Sadly, we lost one of the organizers of WoodExpo and The Furniture Project this week, Neil Lamens. I only knew him through email, but he was universally admired for his encouragement of other woodworkers.

Come on out if you can and see what these folks have to offer. I'm always happy to help those who promote the craft and whose products I believe in.