Coronavirus Updates regarding Guild Activities:
Northern Woods Show Postponed:
Eden Prairie Center is currently closed because of the coronavirus. Even if the mall was still open it would be unwise for us to proceed with the Northern Woods Exhibition in April. I am afraid that we have no choice but to modify our plans.
I am sorry to announce that the Northern Woods Exhibition has been postponed. The show will still be held in the main rotunda at Eden Prairie Center, but the new dates are October 22-25, 2020.
The good news is that you have more time to complete your entry! Please contact me if you have any questions. Stay safe, and I look forward to seeing you at the show in October.
-- Charlie Kocourek, Northern Woods Committee Chair, charlie@jack-bench.com
A note regarding our Sponsors:
Many of our sponsors remain open as critical businesses during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
Please check with them prior to visiting as most have changed hours or policies. Some of our wholesale lumber distributors (Industrial Lumber and Plywood)
no longer have "will call" services, where some still do (Aetna Plywood).
If you must go out to get critical supplies, call before you visit. Be safe and be well during this difficult time.
-- George Lucas, Sponsor Liaison, george.lucas3413@gmail.com
Coronavirus Protective Gear Drive - Call to Members
On Saturday, March 21 local government and healthcare agencies began drives for protective medical equipment to address the needs of care providers during the coronavirus pandemic. Those items include N95 respiratory masks as well as nitrile gloves, both items that many Guild members may have in their shops.
If you are interested in donating, click THIS LINK for a listing of the donation locations, times and further details (including making and donating masks).
A Tony Award!
Congratulations to Guild member Tony Kubalak for receiving the 2020 Cartouche Award from Society of American Period Furniture Makers. Anyone who has been to the Northern Woods Exhibition will be familiar with the sense of awe at looking at one of Tony's pieces. Read the full article for details and be sure to visit Tony's website for a tour of his work.
A Christopher Schwarz Weekend -- Worth the Trip!
The Omaha Woodworkers Guild invites you to join them the weekend of March 28 - 29, 2020 for a Christopher Schwarz Dutch Tool Chest Build in Omaha, Nebraska. The seminar is open to everyone and the Guild would love to see members of the Minnesota Guild at the event.
The fee is $100 before March 10 and $120 thereafter. You can register HERE as well as at the Omaha Woodworkers Guild website.
CMWA Hand Tool Event! - CANCELLED -
Due to the evolving situation regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus this event has been cancelled. For the official notice from Lie-Nielsen, click HERE.
TIME TO GET SCHOOLED! TUITION GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE!
The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Woodworkers Guild believes that the best ways to perfect a craft is to learn from peers and masters. One of the founding objectives of the Guild is to create a forum for local woodworkers to do just this by offering monthly educatonal meetings, our annual Northern Woods Exhibition, and by bringing in nationally recognized masters for the Fall Seminar.
We are now pleased to announce the return of the Tuition Grant Program to provide Guild members an opportunity to rub elbows with woodworking's finest! This program originally ran from 2002 through 2007.
We are certain the recipients will gain invaluable knowledge and that their inspiration and enthusiasm will surely infect the rest of us upon their return. You can't help but get excited when talking to previous grant recipients about their lessons at the Krenov School, the Anderson Ranch Art Center, the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, or the North Bennet Street School.
For more about the rules of the program and a link to submit your online submission, visit the Guild Tuition Grant Application page.
2020 NORTHERN WOODS EXHIBITION: APRIL 23 - 26, 2020
You are invited to present your work at the next Northern Woods Exhibition at Eden Prairie Center, April 23-26, 2020. Registration opens in January, but we are announcing it now so that you have plenty of time to prepare.
The Northern Woods Exhibition is a great way for you to show your work to the public. It's also a fantastic way to meet with like minded woodworkers. What's more, each year we distribute over $4000 worth of prizes in 14 different award categories.
You may enter an unlimited number of entries and up to two entries are eligible for judging. Each application must (1) describe the piece, (2) provide biographical information about its maker(s) and (3) provide high resolution photograph(s) of the work. The description must include dimensions, materials, and selling price if applicable. The photographs will appear on the Minnesota Woodworker's Guild website and in the Judge's manual. The only requirements are that entries must be made primarily of wood and that they have not been displayed at a previous Northern Woods Exhibition.
For registration and entry rules, go to the NORTHERN WOODS EXHIBITION page.
Pictured Above: Cedar Strip Sea Kayak by John Zachman. 2019 Peer Award & Best in Show.
Have some Class(es)!
Another Source for Lumber!
Wood from the Hood, an urban reclaimed lumber vendor here in Minneapolis, has started to offer dimensional and slabbed lumber for retail sale. They've been around for a while but are just now offering retail lumber. Check it out!
Wood from the Hood, 2640 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis 55406.
CONTACT
Alternatives to Youngblood Lumber
With the sad closing of Youngblood Lumber there has been a lot of information exchanged among members about other sources for our materials. We've gathered leads from members as well as updated the "Lumber and Plywood" category of the LINKS page.
Also, download or view this Listing of Retail and Wholesale Lumber Suppliers who provide discounts to Guild members. Please note the requirements set by the sponsors and that you will almost always need to present your Guild membership card.
Save a buck! Don't buy -- Use the Tool Library instead!
The Guild's TOOL RENTAL LIBRARY is a great resource for some expensive tools or ones that you need only occasionally, such as:
Check out the Tool Rental Page for details!
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About Us
The Minnesota Woodworkers Guild is a group of professional and amateur woodworkers bound together by three goals:
- to advocate high standards in our craft
- to meet new friends and discuss woodworking
- to educate ourselves and the public about woodworking
The Guild hosts monthly educational meetings, offers an annual Fall Seminar and sponsors the annual “Northern Woods” show, an exhibition of fine woodworking. We welcome membership by all woodworkers, regardless of what they build, their level of skill, style of work, or their profession.
Our goal is to encourage the highest standards in woodworking, while allowing each of our members to grow at their own pace, from whatever level of skill and accomplishment they begin with.
Simply put, we want each of our members to become the best woodworker they are capable of, and to enjoy telling their Guild friends about it along the way.
