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| Here we are! |
Two weekends ago, I was lucky enough to take my three (3) sons to the Long Island Woodworkers 16th Annual Woodworking Show at the Old Bethpage Village Fairgrounds. |
| Entering the show. |
This is the 6th or 7th year in a row that Ive attended the Long Island Woodworkers Show and theyve found their rhythm as far as size, exhibitors and venue. Since Ive been going to the show Ive seen it migrate from Sports Plus (a now defunct large entertainment venue) to Hofstra University to an American Legion Hall (a space so cramped with woodworking that you could barely walk) to the Old Bethpage Village Fairgrounds. |
| The wonderful timber framed barn that houses the show. |
The building the show is in now is just the right size and certainly the right atmosphere. Its a large, beautiful, timber framed barn, perfect for a woodworking show. The show itself is made up of member exhibits, vendors and special interest displays. The Long Island Woodworking Clubs special interest groups are the L.I. Scrollsaw Association, the L.I. Woodturners Guild, the L.I. Cabinet & Furniture Makers and the Secret Society of Woodcarvers. Each special interest group (at least is seems like each, but I didnt check) has a corner of the building where they give live demonstrations and talk up their craft. |
| Whats a woodworking show without Woodmizer? |
The vendors arent the boutique shops youll see at Woodworking in America or the generic guys youll see at the Woodworking & D.I.Y. Shows. They were all medium sized and somewhat local. The ones I spend the most time with were Lakeshore Hardwoods and the member used tool sale.
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A great photo, taken by Tom McKenna of Robert having Toms son draw a raffle winner. |
While I spent a good deal of my time chasing my kids around and trying to get them enthusiastic about this joint or that finish, the highlight was the wonderful chat I had with Robert of the Long Island Woodworkers Club. He let my boys draw a raffle winner, and as I learned in Saratoga, hes a great guy to talk too. |
| This cookbook rack was my favorite of the member gallery. |
Unfortunately, I missed seeing Fine Woodworkings Tom McKenna. Matt Kenney gave me a heads up that Tom was visiting the show, and it looks like he had a good time too. Check out his post about the Long Island Woodworkers Show here. You can see my entire Long Island Woodworkers 16th Annual Woodworking Show Picasa gallery here.
Have you found your local woodworking show and discovered who you need to talk to there?
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For the past few years my Dad has been bugging me to join the Long Island Woodworkers Club. While Ive not been avoiding it, it hasnt worked out either. Their monthly meetings are on Wednesdays, the same night of the week a bunch of woodworking talking heads record their podcast. Also, while my wife has made a reluctant peace with the fact that I busy on Wednesday nights, the fact that Im down in the basement recording (instead of off at a meeting) means Im still around to help with dinner and put the kids to bed (especially on the Wednesday nights she works).
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| This wonderfully decorated bench welcomes visitors to the show. |
Last week I finally filled out my application and gave in. Im now a full-fledged member of the Long Island Woodworkers Club.
My first (and so far only) act as a member has been to participate in the member showcase at the 2013 Long Island Woodworkers Show. The show, held this past weekend at the Nassau County Old Bethpage Village Restoration (a poor mans Williamsburg) was a great experience. Similar to years past the center of each aisle in the cross shaped timber framed barn the event is held in was filled with tables displaying the members pieces. As proud as I was to have my quilt rack, book stand and glue gun rack on display my work pales next to pieces submitted by other members. There were many outstanding pieces, such as t Frank Paces Music Stand, Adam Fishers Rocker and Daryl Rosenblatts Fortune No. 1 Chair.
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| Franks Great Music Stand. |
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| Adams awesome rocker. |
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| Daryls amazing Fortune No. 1. |
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| Hey, look! Someone actually likes this idiots quilt rack. |
Ill feature photos of many great pieces at the bottom of this post. You can also check out my full album on Picasa here.
Besides the pride of displaying among such a talented group of woodworkers, the show was enjoyable for the reason any long time reader knows Im getting to: the Community. Is there any better choice to spend a day than among woodworkers talking about woodworking? Though my conversations were brief, it was wonderful to speak with everyone about the craft we all love. Joining a local club and participating in a local event is something every woodworkers should do.

Im hoping our every other week podcasting schedule will allow me to make some upcoming Long Island Woodworkers Club meetings. Im certainly excited to make it when I can.