1st Day at the Ohio Show

Easing into the first day of each of the shows usually starts with skype-ing Joseph for a business contact. Two-continent woodworking must be coordinated carefully to avoid creating confusion. Today was no different. The show seemed a little smaller than usual but less can mean more and today’s show packed lots of punch for me. I don’t get many minutes spare in the day because the 1 1/4-hour  demonstrations I do continue into Q&As for some time afterwards. But I most often duck in behind the curtains to watch a demo and get pictures and today I couldn’t help but respect the willingness of people well versed in the art and craft of working wood. Today my special appreciation went to Johannes Michelson from Vermont. So there he is in front of a full audience turning the rim of an equally full-sized rimmed hat on a lathe. Think about this just for a minute. He travels from Vermont to Ohionand brings along all of the equipment he needs to show how he works. His work isn’t ordinary and neither is his presentation. This is exact work and he is sharing all that he knows willingly, openly and he captivates his audience because his skills are so visual, unusual, precise. I thought that this is not ordinary at all and that’s why The Woodworking Shows shows are well worth coming too.

Then I spent a little time hanging around the Woodworkers of Central Ohio booth. They have a sense of community worth and volunteer their woodworking skills for the common good of the community they live in.  This is the spirit of generosity pervasive throughout the demonstrators at guilds and societies across America. I have seen this on many fronts through the years with guilds making toys for military children, McDonalds Ronald McDonald house,  and many more. Looking at their story board I saw some of their provision to make life work for people and societies hard pressed by life. I thought that this is not ordinary at all and that’s why The Woodworking Shows shows are well worth coming too.