Stuart Ablett
Member
- Messages
- 15,917
- Location
- Tokyo Japan
I sort of lost touch with the Japanese woodturning scene back in 2009, there was a major split in the group and there was a bunch of group politics stuff going on that I just had no time for, both sides wanted me to join their side, so I just declined both offers. Understand this was not a pitched battle, it was not nasty, it was just a large group that had some different ideas about where the group was to go. I have remained friends with both sides of the divide but I've just not participated in either groups events. Now a few years on it looks like things have shaken out into one main group again, the JWA.
I got a phone call the other day from the head of the Japanese Woodturner's Association, he wondered how I was doing and what I'd been doing recently, it was nice to catch up, he has some business in an area not far from my shop, so he asked if he could drop by for a visit, I said sure, it would be nice to catch up.
The long and the short of it is that they are having a seminar on the 15th of June and he really wants me to put on a demonstration for the the group. This is a paid gig, and he wants me to do a few things, but one in particular is the Toothpick holder that I did a few years ago, you can watch the video below.
I'm happy to do this, and he has arranged for me to do the Sunday of their two day seminar. This could be for between 40 and 50 people!
Now I've got to get a woodturning biography together, print up a portfolio and make up some hand outs as well as some examples of the toothpick holders. I've also got to plan for some other things just because I like to be prepared, so I'm asking for some suggestions of items that can be turned easily by anyone, and things that don't take hours to make, or are over complicated but are fun to do. One of the reasons they do these events are to encourage the members to try new stuff. I guess one reason they want me to come along is because I'll add a bit of international flair to their group, and the same old guys doing the same old demos gets boring, so they are casting a wider net. I'm honored to be asked, but I'm also a bit intimidated, I'll have to dust off the lathe and do some turning, I've been a bit busy with other things lately, but I'm sure I can still do the spinny thing.
So please give me some suggestions for doing some turnings and if you have any suggestions on giving a demo that would be great too!
Cheers!
I got a phone call the other day from the head of the Japanese Woodturner's Association, he wondered how I was doing and what I'd been doing recently, it was nice to catch up, he has some business in an area not far from my shop, so he asked if he could drop by for a visit, I said sure, it would be nice to catch up.
The long and the short of it is that they are having a seminar on the 15th of June and he really wants me to put on a demonstration for the the group. This is a paid gig, and he wants me to do a few things, but one in particular is the Toothpick holder that I did a few years ago, you can watch the video below.
I'm happy to do this, and he has arranged for me to do the Sunday of their two day seminar. This could be for between 40 and 50 people!
Now I've got to get a woodturning biography together, print up a portfolio and make up some hand outs as well as some examples of the toothpick holders. I've also got to plan for some other things just because I like to be prepared, so I'm asking for some suggestions of items that can be turned easily by anyone, and things that don't take hours to make, or are over complicated but are fun to do. One of the reasons they do these events are to encourage the members to try new stuff. I guess one reason they want me to come along is because I'll add a bit of international flair to their group, and the same old guys doing the same old demos gets boring, so they are casting a wider net. I'm honored to be asked, but I'm also a bit intimidated, I'll have to dust off the lathe and do some turning, I've been a bit busy with other things lately, but I'm sure I can still do the spinny thing.
So please give me some suggestions for doing some turnings and if you have any suggestions on giving a demo that would be great too!
Cheers!