Today’s Woodworking Show
If you are within driving distance of Fredericksburg, Virginia you should come down to the show today or tomorrow. Yesterday was a great day and with people coming in from everywhere there was great cross section of the woodworking society there. I demonstrated throughout the day and tried to keep up with all of the questions. John Shutze kept us both on track and on time for each of the demo’s and we had a most interesting day all around.
There was a lot going on throughout the show and I was impressed by some specific things that interested me. I wish, for instance, that I could buy the wood that was available at the show for the same price in the UK. Beautiful figured maple for instance; wide boards of clear red cherry at under $45 a cubic foot and with full red wood free from sapwood to me is a bargain. What was really nice as always was the camaraderie I always feel at the shows. Like-minded woodworkers sharing their lives at a venue free from distractions. There is more to life than a battery driven drill/driver and a chopsaw and people were very encouraging to me as they came up to discuss their having bought my book and DVDs some time earlier. Some came by and told me he had his grandchildren making spatulas and spoons as a result of reading the book. Others said they were working through the course and enjoyed using the bench they made from Home Depot wood and so on.
I highlight for me was less noticeable; my tools were at last at home in a tool chest. What joy to have everything stowed and safe when I worked throughout the day and then of course when I went from the show, having a place of safety to place them. It was great.