SS Workshop Weekend in NZ

[Little flower]

This is just to say this weekend we are having a Scrollsaw Weekend Workshop in Palmerston North NZ. and we are looking to have a ball! We are certainly putting some effort into promoting scrollsawing over here and our rewards are coming little by little - but most of have we're having heaps of fun at the same time. (Our first 2 picnics we had 6-10people, this workshop were expecting 18 - 20 odd. The following weekend Allan has been asked to run a workshop in Wellington; Last Monday we had a scrollsaw evening for our woodworkers guild and Allan ran such an evening for two other clubs in the last month - so as I said, its been a bit of a focus lately.)

[lucky788scroller]

Ok Teresa, its now time to tell us what we missed. Tell us about your weekend! Dale

[Little flower]

OK Dale here it is.
First of all I have to tell you it was a great time and if all we have to do next time to get you here is put coco cola or pepsi in the meal plan - so be it!!! LOL (Just kidding)

We ended up with 19 participants and even though several had never met before it that didn't worry anyone if the instant chatter was anything to go by. After tea/coffee (next year Dale, pepsi or cola, maybe????) we started off by introducing ourselves and showing a bit of the work we have each done - this gave a bit of an inside knowlege about each other. A couple of people had pulled their scrollsaws out of a box for the very first time in order to come and as a result they were just blown away with some of the work on display. Then Allan led a session on machine types, and blades after which we followed each doing some comparision cuts of different blades. For this we set up a different blade in each of the Delta saws so that each blade was not compromised or enhanced by the make of the machine.

Then before lunch we gave a brief of what we wanted to see achieved by the end of the weekend. We had provided a selection of pictures of houses, barns, animal sillouettes and fences and told them that, in groups, they were to construct a child's toy farmyard scene out of the MDF and ply on their tables. Instantly we heard cries of, "hey I didn't know we were here or three weeks!" "i hope someone else has imagination,cause i don't" and all that sort of thing. However by the time lunch was finished (minus the cola and pepsi!!!) everyone seemed to get the idea of creating something and there started a flurry of movement and beore long the hall was buzzing with machines. Heaps of cutting got done that afternoon.
In the evenig some of us went out for a meal which was a nice way to endthe day.

On Sunday, once as all the cutting was completed the staining part began and by lunch most the projects were well on their way to completion. This was a real good project as thoses who had never cut before were able to get involved and those with some experience were able to show the way.

All in all it was a very successful event. A fair bit of planning went into it including the constuction of benches to work on as it we have ony been in the venue for a few months. However everything went off as well or better than we expected so every effort was worth it.

It was in this forum that I met up with Rhys and so good to have him come down to join us for the weekend escpecially seeing it is a 7 1/2 hr trip each way. Yes, many new friendships have been made from as a result of the weekend.


PS The farms will go towards our Pinnochhio toys for charity at Christmas.

[sheltiecarver]

Theresa,
That sure looks like a lot of fun. It looks like you put in a lot of planning to get it to come together so well.
Maybe it's just an American thing, but I would have missed the pop, too. Mine is diet 7-up.
Will you be doing these things regularly now? (Not that you've been doing them irregularly before!)
Sandy

[bearfretworks]

Well done!!!! Sounds like a successful event, good job.

Promise some Speights and I'm in. I've visited your beautiful country 3 separate times. You live in a wonderful place with great people.

[Little flower]

Sandy can do the Diet 7up and bearfretworks can do the Speights! Now what else will I need to get you here again!!!

We sure will be doing it again!

[Gill]

It looks like you had a fun time, Theresa. Thanks for the report. Is there any chance of making those photos a tad bigger?

It's nice to know there's at least one part of the Commonwealth where sugary drinks haven't replaced tea and coffee as the beverage of choice .

Gill

[Little flower]

Sandy - can do the diet 7-up.
bearfretworks - can do the Speights! Now what else do Ineed to promise you to come back for another holiday?
And yeswe sure will be doing it again sometime.

I realiseI forgot one of the farms - sorry the photos are not too good but at least you will get the idea.

[Little flower]

Gill, I use to have trouble uploading photos till I foundout how to make thumbnails but yesI realise they are a tad small. I'll give a try tomorrow though, not now, as it's way past my bed time! Catch you again.

[CanadianScroller]

I love the concept of picnics, something that is not happening around here.
I can also imagine the work that goes into setting one up.
You have done an admirable job.
It must be very satisfying to see someone who is new to scrolling hop up to the table along with more experienced people and go home with a new understanding of our hobby.

Great work.

[Hobbyhorse]

Weekend workshop in NZ

I attended the weekend workshop at thoroughly enjoyed it.
As Teresa said it was a 71/2 hour drive for me to get to Palmerston North from Auckland ( I left home at midnight) and I was a touch weary by the end of the first day.
This was the first time that I had seen a number other makes of scrollsaw all together and I was able to make comparisons. We had Dewalt, Delta, Hegner, Diamond, Ryobi, and GMC saws in use and valuable information could be gathered on performance etc. Alan's discourse on saws, blades, and techniques was very worthwhile and the project was a bit of a giggle and kept us all going on our saws.
Making contact with other like minded people is always rewarding and one can learn a lot by just listening. One of the problems with scrollsawing, in New Zealand anyway, is that there is very little contact with other scrollers apart from on forums such as this and it is not easy to get help or information. It is only at gatherings such as this that one can actually make face to face contact.
Many thanks to the organisers Teresa, Alan and Eddie.

Rhys H

[lucky788scroller]

I'll pencil it in Teresa, it sounds like fun for sure!!!! Dale