showcase day 2

I return home to Arkansas this evening after a successful showcase. I have two classes today and then  go to Albany for the first of my flights home. It is a pleasure to spend time with fellow woodworkers. It is a worry that so many of the participants are of the same age. Woodworkers are often in their 50's, 60's, 70's and above, and the idea of woodworking in schools seems to have been eclipsed by robotics. That means that if we want our children to be as  smart as we need them to be, we'll just have to take matters and materials into our own hands. Let's teach our children well.

The Northeastern Woodworking Association sponsors a toy making event at the show in the hopes of luring families and children into the joys of creating wonderful things from wood. But still, there seems to be a lack of children at the event.

My own presentations have been on Tiny Boxes and Making Classic Toys that Teach. Each is based on a recent book. Both have turned out to be interesting subjects. As we look around and see so few children and young adults in the audience, we know that making lovely things for our kids and with our kids that impart wisdom is required.

I have been meeting a few blog readers and it is a very good thing to meet face to face.

As jurors for the show we selected a rather unusual best of show award. Normally the award is granted to a furniture piece. We chose instead an Adirondack guide boat. It is a lovely and useful thing. Close up one finds that it's meticulously crafted.

Make, fix, create, and grant others the opportunity to learn likewise.