I was fortunate to be invited to demonstrate at the Florida Woodturning Symposium in February of 2023. Well technically I was re-re-invited as the original invitation was for 2021 then Covid canceled that as well as 2022. Needless to say, I had a long time to prepare.
The Symposium was held at a new venue this year in Lakeland, Florida. The new venue was great and the organizers did a great job. I hope the Symposium goes from strength to strength at this venue.
I demonstrated on three topics, Christmas Birdhouse Ornaments, paper glue joints in woodturning, and threaded pewter collars and finials. Keeping three demonstrations in my brain made my head hurt, but for the most part, I think they went well and were well received.
One of the highlights of the Symposium for me was to have a piece I had placed in the Gallery chosen for public critique. There were only five pieces chosen for this so it was a real honor. Of the five pieces chosen, four of them were by members of my woodturning club, an amazing achievement.
Later in the weekend that same piece, my “Cracked Ice Platter”, was voted 3rd place in Best of Show. The prize was a gift certificate from sponsor Viable Lumber in St. Pete. This is another way of saying I’ll be making a road trip to St. Pete in the near future and returning with a truck full of wood and a big smile on my face!
