As The Wood Turns October 2004

As The Wood Turns Internet Version

October 2004

CWTC Meeting 7 PM Second Tuesday of each month

Location: Woodcraft Supply Store, 1280 E. Dundee Rd, Palatine IL
847-774-1186

In this Issue
> Curls from the President
> Demonstrators Schedule
for meeting nights & weekend Master Demos
> October Meeting Note’s
> October Gallery — See Gallery section of web site!

Curls From the President’s Platter
By Paul Shotola

Allow me to depart from my usual column format, and give you “Four“” columns in one. I stole the idea from a Chicago Sun-Times newspaper columnist, but as they say: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, and he probably stole it from someone, anyway.

If you are not a member of the American Association of Woodturners, put down this newsletter, pick up the phone or computer mouse, and join. The benefits you will receive are both immediate and far-reaching. AAW members receive the finest woodturning magazine available. That alone is worth the cost of membership. As an AAW member, your voice will be heard on the subjects that your (not “the”, but “your”) AAW board deliberates on. You can help determine the future direction of woodturning. Sign up information is available at: http://www.woodturner.org/org/mbrship/ or (651) 484-9094.
If you are a computer user (over 60% of us are), take a moment and sign up for the CWT’s group on Yahoo. Joining will assure that you receive important messages about group activities. The group is free, simple to use, and most importantly, safe. No spam, no ads. Yahoo will not sell your information, and you do not need a Yahoo email address. Group membership is strictly limited to CWT members. Here’s the sign up page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chiwt/. If you have troubles or comments, contact me or Andy Kuby.
The offices of Vice President and Treasurer are up for election in December, with nominations at our November meeting. The VP duties are to fill in for the President as needed, and to schedule our monthly demonstrators and Gallery reviewers. The Treasurer, of course, keeps the financial records. If you are interested in either of these positions, or know of someone who is, November is the time to speak up. Your club needs your participation to remain fresh.
It appears that only 40% of our members attend our all day guest demonstrations. I see the same faces at most of them, and I’m curious as to why the majority of you never attend. There is a lot of effort by many folks to put these demos together and make them run smoothly. The demonstrators are the best turners, teachers and artists available, the demo area has good sound and video, beverages and donuts are even included! So please, 60% of you, why don’t you attend? The reasons are probably as varied as fingerprints, but I’d like to know. Email or call, I’ll listen.

So there you are, four for one, and not surprisingly, they all require “Your Personal Participation”. That’s what makes your club run, and makes it your club. Until December, join, participate, give feedback, and please, turn safely.

Paul Shotola
Email address:

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Weekend Master Turner Demo Schedule

To be announced

For More on Master Turners Demonstrations,
see Demonstrations Page

Meeting Demonstrators 2004

November — Paul Pyrcik
Banksia Pod Ornament

See Fran Islin to sign up to be a demonstrator.

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November Challenge “Naturally So”
Remember there are no rules and no limits bring your entry to the November meeting.

No rules so get those creative juices flowing and submit a piece to be judged by your peers.

First prize is $30; second is $20; third is $10.

Minutes of the July, 2004 CWT Meeting
by Paul Cavanagh

President Paul Shotola opened the meeting at 7 pm and explained the usual house and safety rules. A reminder: Paul has moved: his new phone number is 847 412-9781.

Don’t forget to put your creative thinking caps on, ladies and gentlemen, and bring forth your great ideas for a 2005 CWT Collaborative Challenge entry that will blow them away in Kansas, Toto!

The CWT Picnic was held on Sept 18 at the Rader Compound in Woodstock. The weather was great! And so was the food! We participated in a video that starred Binh Pho doing what does best—if you weren't there then you’ll have to wait until it is released. Dessert (and there were many) included home-made ice cream made by yet another of Darrell’s toys1an antique Deere-powered ice cream maker using ice and rock salt.

Library News. John Crissman is ordering more copies of 500 Wood Bowls; if you want to have one of your very own at a good price, call him ASAP at 847 223-7972.

The Craft Supplies promotion for this month is if you spend $100, you’ll get a $15 certificate good after Dec 15th. The promotion code is 04SPAAW10

The next guest demonstrator will be David Ellsworth for a two-day seminar on Oct 30-31, 2004. Don’t miss it! It was decided to invite members of other turning clubs (at an increased fee). If you know of anyone who would like to come, please invite him or her along.

The SOFA (not furniture but Sculptured Objects and Functional Art) show is November 5 through 7 at Navy Pier. CWT will be there with several world-class turner doing demonstrations. If you can help with set-up on Tuesday/Wednesday Nov 2/3 or teardown on Sunday afternoon Nov 7, please call Binh Pho. Why don’t you come and take in a beautiful show of wood, glass, ceramics, metal, etc.?

November is nominations month for CWT club officers. Up for election this year is the Vice President and the Treasurer. If you or someone you know would like to participate in the club at a higher level, call Paul Shotola and volunteer.

One more thing: Be sure to join/check your email address in Yahoo Groups so the club can communicate with you quickly.
Contact http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chiwt/

Anyone who is interested in doing a demonstration of any aspect of woodturning or related areas, such as carving, finishing, decorating, etc., please contact VP Fran Iselin. No experience necessary.

The raffle this month included a bird house turned by Dick Sing, some fine wood, and tubes of epoxy.

Also don’t forget that the November challenge is: “Naturally So”. There are no rules so get those creative juices flowing and submit a piece to be judged by your peers. I’ve got my piece almost ready: Where’s yours?
First prize is $30; second is $20; third is $10.

The gallery was then reviewed by Darrell Rader. He commented that the number of pieces, while excellent, was too few. Don’t be intimidated by the quality of the pieces you see there. Bring your turnings that YOU think are pretty good by YOUR standards. Paul Shotola suggested that the “expert” turners bring down some of their early pieces for comparison. In fact, why don’t we make the December meeting (the Holiday Party night) also “The Bring Your First Turning” night?

The demonstration was a special presentation by 3M Account Exec Rich Bohr. He discussed the various new abrasive products made by 3M and the application to woodturners. Also covered was how the various products are manufactured. Steve Sinner uses some of them and likes both the finish and the durability. Rich gave away many free samples, which made him a very popular presenter by the cost-conscious members of our club. Thanks for coming Rich! And thanks to Steve Sinner for setting it up.

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Chicago Woodturners 2004
A Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners
Last Updated November 3, 2004