Last Tuesday or Wednesday I received a phone call inviting me to attend the Awards Ceremony at the Design in Wood exhibit Saturday evening, the first day of the Fair. So my wife, daughter and I went down to the Fair Saturday evening not knowing what to expect having not gone through this before.
When we arrived, there were probably a couple hundred people milling around looking at all of the wonderful examples of woodworking craftsmanship. We went around the room admiring all of the works as well while waiting for the ceremony to begin and had chance to take a few pictures. I’m planning to go back in a week or so to get pictures of the rest of the pieces.
I don’t recall the exact figures but, I believe, there were over 300 entries by just under 200 woodworkers/craftsmen & craftswomen/artists. And, there were 4 places plus Honorable Mentions for each of 22 categories plus numerous vendor and other special awards. I think over $19,000 in prizes were awarded.As they called out each award and the project and the winner, the projects were displayed on video screens around the room. It was great to be able to match the work with the artist.
The results for me were that I took 3rd Place in the Traditional Woodworking – Accessories category. Needless to say, I was thrilled. While I think this was a good way to measure my work against others, especially those who make their living at woodworking (since I hope to suplement my retirement income when that time comes), I am beginnning to look at it more philosophically. Should I be driven by external competition (I am competitive) or should I that drive be more introspecitve? Something to ponder while making sawdust.
Once I have pictures posted somewhere, I will update this with a link. I believe the SDFWA will post a gallery of the 1st Place and special award winners once the Fair is over. I’ll post that link as well.
-- Jack - Mission Viejo, Calif
15 comments so far
gizmodyne
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1479 posts in 575 days
posted 117 days ago
Congrats! I want to go down and see the exhibit this summer.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
Betsy
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1779 posts in 381 days
posted 117 days ago
Congrats. Third place is terrifict amongst all those entries!
-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!
GaryK
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8486 posts in 474 days
posted 117 days ago
Third place is pretty good! Why not post the pictures here?
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Grumpy
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5672 posts in 336 days
posted 116 days ago
Congrats Jack. I look forward to seeing the link.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Scott Bryan
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9095 posts in 307 days
posted 116 days ago
Let me offer my congratulations as well. I agree with Gary about posting pictures here.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
WoodJack49
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189 posts in 248 days
posted 116 days ago
Being kind of new at blogs, I thought that pictures of 300+ projects might get a bit unweildy. I might be able to catch some of the smaller projects together in one picture but, others will need mores than one picture to do them justice.
If someone can tell me the most effective way to handle this volume of pictures, I will do my best once I take the pictures. I do have a few pictures already.
-- Jack - Mission Viejo, Calif
WayneC
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5685 posts in 583 days
posted 116 days ago
I would get a flickr account and load the photos there. It has the ability to organize the photos.
http://www.flickr.com
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Critterman
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481 posts in 295 days
posted 116 days ago
Wow, congrats Jack, way to go. And using the Flickr account method is fairly easy like Wayne suggested. The directions in the posting area are pretty easy to follow. Congrats again and look forward to the pics.
-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 116 days ago
Hi Jack;
A heart felt congratulations to you.
I can imagine the sense of pride you felt with this accomplishment!
Some well deserved recognition for your efforts is always reassuring.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
bhack
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118 posts in 206 days
posted 116 days ago
Jack,
Without seeing 1st and 2nd my wife and I vote your entry NUMBER 1.
Simply beautiful!
-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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5075 posts in 785 days
posted 115 days ago
Congratulations Jack,
If you go on photobucket.com you can make a slide show, & embed it on Lumberjocks.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Myron Wooley
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165 posts in 381 days
posted 115 days ago
Congratulations! There is some amazing woodworking at the Fair- we try to go every year and I am never disappointed.
Did you check out the student woodworking? The high schoolers are very good, too; the college “students” are mostly old guys in disguise, but their stuff is awesome.
-- Furniture Medic- the prescription for damaged furniture
DAN
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3217 posts in 468 days
posted 115 days ago
great work Jack
I have a photobucket account. Easy to use and free.
-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com
3fingerpat
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124 posts in 153 days
posted 93 days ago
Jack, the wife and I loved your entry at the Fair, you got robbed! I couldn’t believe you didn’t get First Place. Your Tool Tote was far and away one of my favorite projects at the show. It is the reason we go to the Fair each year and to look at the college and high school entries as well.
You got skills!
-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"
WoodJack49
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189 posts in 248 days
posted 93 days ago
Thanks for the kind words, Pat. I have no complaints. The Mission Lamp and Kayak that took 2nd and 1st were both great projects deserving of thier placing. I was just glad to be included given the quality of the entries in the DIW competition each year.
-- Jack - Mission Viejo, Calif