SPLINTERS

Tennessee Valley Woodworkers October 1988

NOTES FROM SEPTEMBER MEETING

Phil Bishop called the meeting to order with 26 members and 4 visitors present. Election time is near and a nominating committee was appointed. Bill Warmbrod. Bill Knight, and Tom Church will serve on the committee. Matching federal funds will be available for all those needing campaign funds. Even though the Decherd Craft Show produced undesirable weather, the majority was happy with their results and suggested adding one more space next year.

There will he another John Jordon turning seminar on October 29, at Bishop’s Body Shop 8:00 AM. The cost will be $20. The club will meet at. 7:30 on October 6 to set up for Old Timey Day. Bill Chew said that Tom Gilroy might he a good person for a program sometime. Susan Church and Judy Davis volunteered to head up the Toys for Tots program this year. If you have any ideas bring them to the next two meetings. If yor have plans bring them Tuesday night and we will print them in the next newsletter.

Once again, Show and Tell was the highlight of the meeting. Pete Lara

Jack Townsend (who really blew the roof off), Bill Moye O~Neal

Gibson, Richard Gulley, Bill Shirley. Henry Davis and Phil Bishop all

strutted their stuff and if you missed it, well come this month.

Tom Church concluded the meeting with his Gong Show. His program consisted of various jigs he had seen in magazines. He tried them and showed which ones worked and which ones were disasters.

NO LIGHT WEIGHT SHOW

While on vacation (Tybee Island—Savannah, Ga.) last week, we met a “new age” woodworker. My sister and brother—in—law happened upon a resident beach bum. Far from a “bum”. Betty Post owns and operates her own business——Laser Lights——from the comfort of her fine beach home.

Betty has been at this “high tech” woodworking operation for about a year now. Faced with the age old problem of establishing an income, Betty homed in on an idea from an airline magazine. Inspired by the success story of a retired woodworker in Colorado! Betty set her goals

After much investigation, including trips to Colorado and Wisconsin, Betty found herself the proud new owner of a sophisticated laser based woodhurning machine.

If you have any questions, ideas, or sources of materials, write:

THE LASER LIGHT COLLECTION

BETTY POST

P.O. BOX 1836. 102 BUTLER AVE.

TYBEE ISLAND. GA. 31326

912-786-5072

S -•

Betty gave us a fine demonstration of the combined talents of her machine and her artistic abilities as a designer.

Betty’s problems as a producer of “custom” crafted goods are similar to many of ours. Marketing., pricing, and design ideas are always concerns no matter what the techniques involved.

She is currently producing plaques, trophies., awards, and laser etched memories of birth announcements, wedding invitations, and business cards on fine veneer. She has an idea to laser etch on wooden brief cases and market them for about $230 each. She also does small items, such as pen holders! memo pads, and small boxes. She does most of her woodburning on walnut pieces she buys from a wholesaler.

As you will soon notice this is a short newsletter, we’ve been on vacation..and are not out of the beach hum, and hack into the responsible citizen mode yet. Everything has it’s price.

The program for the next meeting will be a surprise. Actually, I. haven’t been able to make contact with Tom Cowan, he’s always out in the shop. Rumor has it that, we may have some “warm—up” for- our turning seminar. Don’t forget the most important part of the program——YOU—— show and tell. Last month was excellent——keep those projects coming.

Don’t forget plans and samples for our annual TOYS FOR TOTS. Let’s get some ideas stirring. We all know about the burnt out Santa’s elf syndrome. It’s a deadly disease, experienced by many woodworkers.

NEWS FLASHES

Thank you to all of the “Old Timey Day” participants. Your efforts are appreciated.

See you Tuesday Night, October 16, 7:00 PM, at the Duck River Building