As the fall season starts we'd like to initiate a guild project for all to enjoy.  The project will be based on Christopher Schwarz's latest release and part of his pocket book series, Build A Chair From Bulls%$t. The premise of the project and the book itself is to demystify the challenges of acquiring materials and executing the chair  building process. Chris explains the ease of acquiring materials from your local big box store and simplifying the build process by eliminating some of the complex and challenging building techniques. In short, eliminating all those obstacles people conveniently come up with for not attempting a chair. This should be a fun and exciting project for guild members of ALL skill levels. To make it even more accessible, Chris has made the book

available.  It is a free, no strings attached downloadable file. (We suggest buying the book from Lost Art Press for $21 to show him some love for all this effort.) In addition he has posted a series of videos showing you step by step how the entire process, including simple tools needed, getting materials, building and finishing.  The video is fun, light hearted and approachable. His apprentice Kale Vogt and Bridgid Gruber of Dinkles Workshop, take you through the process  in a twelve episode step by step video series. The class will be self guided but facilitated.  The goal is that we will help each other and share our experiences as we go through the build.  Hopefully we can do much of this over Zoom calls and meet a few times through the process. 

Our guild project will also have a twist.  We suspect some members have materials already in their shop and will not need to buy post hole digger handles to make legs. We encourage you to use any materials you want from simple to highly exotic.  We also suspect that all manner of fancy tools can be utilized by members who have attended The Fancy Lad Academy of Woodworking and Charcuterie. Have at it. Show us your stuff!  We will put no restrictions on how you execute this project. We think this will be a fun and inclusive approach. 

Homework: 

Get a copy of the book. or Download it here. 

The chair pattern is here. 

View the Videos on YouTube from Lost Art Press or Dinkles Workshop.

Contact John LeJeune for early admission.

With the new program year upon us, new opportunities exist to become a bigger part of the guild. One of the most rewarding ways to connect with other EMGW members is volunteering to help on a committee. Many tasks are very light lifting and can be fun and lead to long-term friendships. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Newcomer committee: Make a phone call or otherwise contact a new member after they join, and become the first person they meet. We'll provide guidelines for that first conversation. VP Andrew Davis is the person to contact.
• Program committee: help plan the Saturday programs a year in advance. We meet about quarterly on Zoom for 60-90 minutes. Shape the substance of our meetings and make personal contact with cool presenters. Let Rob Carver know if interested. 
• Presenters: Long-time Guild members remember the good old days when more presentations were given by Guild members. Is there a topic or technique that you are willing and able to present to the group on a Saturday morning? Don't be shy. Raising your hand is another huge way to help the Program Committee. 
• Development Committee: We're starting to get more serious about fundraising and soliciting & collecting tool donations for auction. Mike Bossin is leading the charge. Anyone is welcome, and people with backgrounds in non-profit finance or marketing/advertising are especially welcome. We anticipate needing to gather and move tools, so a truck and healthy back are assets.
• Nominating Committee: Developing a pipeline of on-going leaders is an essential need for any voluntary association. For many years, we've had a fantastic single-proprietor operation handling this function and it is now time for transition. Can you recognize talent? Talk to Rob.

Considering getting into woodworking?  A team of members of EMGW has written a guidebook targeted for new woodworkers and a refresher for other woodworkers.