6/28/02 - Well, the quickest way to get over your fear of public speaking is to become a demonstrator at a National (International) event! A 6:45 AM breakfast with all the demonstrators, so you can meet each other, have coffeeeeeeee  (I had way too much) and doughnuts, while they spell out the rules, and just talk.

After that you go into the main hall, and get up on the podium and they introduce everyone and the speaker talks about what their sessions are going to be. Last year, we had to talk about them ourselves!

Attendance is at over 900! I am in the same demo room with a turner from Japan, Masaaki Hiorio, who turns tops. He has been turning since he was 10, probably about 50 years, and speaks through an interpreter. Normally this would be a hindrance, but we are so fascinated by what he is able to do with so little. I am using a brand new General, and he pulls out a motor. Looks to be a 1750 RPM motor with a long shaft and a foot pedal (really). His tool rest is a slanted piece of wood, that resembles a hitching post and his tools are all hand made. He jams a piece of waste wood on it and cuts a jam chuck and start turnings. His precision and mastery of the tools are soooo awe inspiring that the crowd is mesmerized.  He doesn't need an interpreter. Look at the demo pages for some more insight on him and some of his turnings.

My second demo, on square turning fundamentals, drew a standing room only crowd. We had a great time, me an 70 of my now closest friends. Oh well, those who missed it and went to Michael Lee or Michael Hosaluk, can see it tomorrow.

Didn't get a whole lot of time to photo much in the instant gallery, but will post those tomorrow night. Wait until you see some of the work!

6/29/02 - 11:45 PM - What a full day. My demo again had standing room only! Everyone had fun and hopefully learned something too!
The show floor is still busting out with wood, had too hold back today from shopping though, had way too much to do. I took about 45 pictures of the collab projects, show floor and the instant gallery. Actually attended a demo too (most of one). It was Jan Peters of the Del Mano Gallery in Los Angeles, and David  Ellsworth, talking about how to get into galleries. I have attended this same session the last two years, and there was about 30 two years ago and 20 last year. There was more than 100 this year with people sitting on the floor. They fielded questions from the house and answered honestly and candidly to them all. Very informative. As a wood artist, if you could get into one gallery, the Del Mano would be it.
In the area of the collaborative project, I missed the announcement, but in the Fantasy category, Dallas Area Woodturners won, and in the overall best of show, Dallas won (my homies). Their project was a (Keebler) cookie tree, complete with Elves, wiring in the house, and details all the way down to the miniature copies of American Woodturner. Very Very nice.
The auction this year raised $32,000 for the AAW which is used for grants and educational programs. All the product auctioned off is donated by the artists. Thank you all for your generosity!

6/30/02 - This is the short day. One fewer rotation, show opens at 8:30, closes at 5. Had a blast talking to people I have never seen (and no offence, I won't remember your name, as I have a horrible memory for names and faces) and meeting new friends. I had a great time, met a whole lot of people, and had a good demo today. As is usual, Sundays are a bit lighter in attendance, but I like to think of it as more intimate. My only disappointment is that I can't do it next year. AAW demonstrator rules say that you can only demo 2 years in a row, and this is my 2nd. I will see the show from the seats again.

I have had a whole bunch of inquires about doing demos for clubs and other symposiums around the country, and would love that. Keep 'em coming and we will see how we can make them happen.