The Guild Show

Hi, and welcome to the new blog for Andrew Jack Chairs! I'll be trying to post about once per month, starting.....NOW!

 This past weekend was the annual Fine Woodwork Show, put on by members of the Berkshire Woodworkers Guild. Held at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens, it was a well-oiled machine of a weekend. I was lucky enough to be set up in the center of one of the exhibit spaces, a point that was reinforced by the passing downpours we experienced on Sunday. A huge number braved the weather to see work from 36 exhibiting guild members. The weather on Saturday, however, was picture perfect. 

I agreed to do a 45 minute demonstration on spooncarving both days. despite carving a few more spoons than normal lately, I was quick to show off my rusty hatchet skills to show how one could take a few tools to the woods and come out with a bag full of spoon blanks. 

Though no one bought a floor model (I'd have been pleasantly surprised!) I think the chairs presented well in the space, which included some serious woodturning, a luthier, stained glass work, and more! The weekend was a positive experience, where I got to know better the folks I had only met in passing at guild meetings. The sense of community and camaraderie was strong (some members have been with the group since its inception some 30 years ago!) and I was happy to go with their flow to help get this volunteer-run event off and running. 

This table full of spoons and treen was a lot less full when I packed up on Sunday evening! Time to get (stay) whittlin' for the upcoming holiday season...