The judge was Paul Taylor. He made it clear when he started judging that even if you’re the only entry in a category (chest, table, whatever) it doesn’t mean you get a ribbon. Entries are judged on their own merit with a point system for workmanship(40), material selection(10), design(20), finish(30) and degree of difficulty(50). Each of these grading areas receives a score of 1-10.
Well, the results of my entries are shown in the photos below. First Prize for each of the three: nightstand, side table and quilt rack. I certainly never expected this to happen. I would have been satisfied with a Third on at least one item — but I’ll take the ribbons (and the little checks that go with them).
While I’ve always thought my work was improving with each project, it’s great to get confirmation from a jury of my peers.
OK — so maybe this has gone into the category of a ‘super gloat’. lol
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Replies
Congatulations, Bill!
I know that entry into shows like this means taking time away from the business of making money - although I'm sure you'll be able to sell all three award-winners. And, if your business wasn't hopping before, it will be now.
And with all of this, you still ahve time to teach us young'uns a thing or two. Kudos.
Congrats again,
Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Edited 2/7/2005 8:51 am ET by mvac
Edited 2/7/2005 8:52 am ET by mvac
Great job and you should feel justly proud. It must feel good to get that type of recognition. My wife sees work like yours and others in FWW and always asks me to build furniture instead of boats; when she sees work like yours it doesn't make my life any easier. :) Keep up the great work!
Bill,
COngratulations and well done!
Doug
Nice Job and congraulatins Bill.
I build and donate a quilt stand to a local fund raiser once a year which they give away with the quilt they are raffling off that year. Do you mind if I use your design as a starting point for this years donation?
Garry
WoodWorks by Garry
Congratulations on the award Bill! The work was nice. I don't call it gloating. If you don't toot your own horn, who will?. The fact you got a little jingle with the ribbon is icing on the cake. Take care.
GREAT! See... all that work was worth it after all!
BEAUTIFUL..... I love the design of that quilt rack. Even without a cash prize, Blue Ribbons are a great 'atta-boy' and a boost for the ego. Now, make a frame for the photos and ribbons and display them proudly. When a customer asks you 'why does your work cost so much?', point to the ribbons and proudly say ' Because my work wins prizes and is worth it'. SawdustSteve
"Even without a cash prize, Blue Ribbons are a great 'atta-boy' and a boost for the ego. Now, make a frame for the photos and ribbons and display them proudly. When a customer asks you 'why does your work cost so much?', point to the ribbons and proudly say ' Because my work wins prizes and is worth it'."
Thanks, Steve.
Yep! The 'atta-boy' is all I really needed to hear. I've already added an 'Awards' page to my website. No matter how small a show this is, now I can honestly say I'm an 'Award-Winning Woodworker'! Yee-haw!
(...he said in all modesty...) lol
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Edited 2/7/2005 4:12 pm ET by BArnold
Congrats Bill
When I saw your quilt rack on the other thread I was impressed. Very well done, design was great.
Not at all surprised by the blue ribbon.
Doug
It is always nice when those that are humble are rewarded for their efforts, keep up the great work.
Brian
Bill! Great job! I was just thinking of you and vern, wondering how everything went this past weekend. Guess I know now. Sorry I couldn't make it there to see you in person.
Tell me, does this mean that when I come see you that I'll have to pay admission?
"Bill! Great job! I was just thinking of you and vern, wondering how everything went this past weekend. Guess I know now. Sorry I couldn't make it there to see you in person. Tell me, does this mean that when I come see you that I'll have to pay admission?"
Thank you, Creek!
We had a great time on Sunday, ribbons or not. Since this was my first show, I was all ears and eyes! There were some great pieces on display and I'm sure the public will enjoy seeing them.
Vern got Best of Show for his gun chest along with several other awards. Although I got three First Place ribbons in the first year exhibitor division, another guy got the Best of Show for first year; he made a really nice Arts & Crafts cabinet.
Admission??? A case of Amber Bock would be nice! On second thought, just drop in -- I keep plenty of brewskies around. lol
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Very nicely done, Bill!
Is the quilt rack a glue lamination or steam bent?
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
Jazz,
It's a glued lamination. I milled up 1/8" strips from a single piece of lumber and kept them in sequence. I built a form from 3/4" MDF to get the radius. Then applied glue to seven strips at a time and pressed the assembly in my vacuum press.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Bill, did yo build your press or buy it? Just curious.
"... did yo build your press or buy it? ..."
Bones,
I bought an A/C vacuum pump for $60 from a friend who was downsizing; a few miscellaneous parts from Joe WW; a $6 shower curtain from Walmart. I cut a platen and cauls from leftover MDF. I've got about $140 invested in my system. Here are some photos.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
I have been looking at that web site. Never would have figured that a shower curtan would work as a bag. Thanks for the pics.
"I have been looking at that web site. Never would have figured that a shower curtan would work as a bag. Thanks for the pics."
I've had some sideways comments about my shower curtain, believe me. A guy I worked with last year used industrial garbage bags with his venturi system. Any piece of vinyl or like material that won't tear under the stress of stretching will work. The bag has two jobs: keeping the air out and staying together. I can buy a lot of $6 shower curtains for the cost of a 30mil bag.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
I was looking on the web site you referenced a month or so ago. I was shocked at how much the pre-made bags were. The bulk heavy duty vinyl was not cheap either. I would never have thought a shower curtain would have the strength to hold down the wood to the form. You proved the old saying "necessity is the mother of invention".
"... I would never have thought a shower curtain would have the strength to hold down the wood to the form. ..."
Bones,
That's where most people misunderstand the process. The vinyl or urethane or shower curtain doesn't hold the material to the form -- the atmosphere takes care of that. The bag has to be strong enough not to tear and seal well enough to keep the air out. The resulting air pressure on the outside of the bag does the work.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Bill,Excellent work! I really appreciate people who are good enough to even show their work, let alone win a prize for it. All three peices are fantastic. Are any for sale? Maybe a Knot Head discount? Only kidding. i do like the quilt rack and wouldn't mind knowing if it is for sale. Excellent work and keep it coming.TDF
"... All three peices are fantastic. Are any for sale? Maybe a Knot Head discount? Only kidding. ..."
Tom,
Thanks for your wonderful comments. The quilt rack and side table are for sale; the nightstand is one of a pair to match our bed. After conferring with folks who know more about price points than I do, I have the quilt stand listed at the Fair at $600 and the side table at $500. I'd gladly take a commission for a pair of nightstands; in their present configuration, the pair would be a bargain at $4900.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
I've wanted to needle you about square boxes, Bill. I guess I won't have the chance now. Nice job. Keep your eye open for old water beds the ones without the baffles. Nice heavy vinyl that just gets thrown out.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
"I've wanted to needle you about square boxes, Bill. I guess I won't have the chance now. Nice job. Keep your eye open for old water beds the ones without the baffles. Nice heavy vinyl that just gets thrown out."
Square boxes??? Well, if you look at the stand dead-on from the side, it still looks like a rectangle. :-)
Thanks for the heads-up about water beds -- never crossed my mind.
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Hey, Bill, congratulations!! Such a cool thing. Love the pieces you built and glad you gave in and entered the fair with them.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Bill,
Congratulations, and well deserved. I've been blown away by the elegance and harmony of your work, especially the quilt rack. Thanks for sharing the work in process as well as the end result. Of course, next year you need to play with the big boys - LOL!
Wayne
"... Of course, next year you need to play with the big boys - LOL! ..."
Amen to that! This exhibition gave me an idea of what the competition is like. Some of these guys are in their 70s and have been woodworkers all their lives. Most likely, I'll never achieve their level of expertise, but i'm gonna try. To show a bit of the 'next level, I attached a couple of photos.
One photo is the quilt rack entered by a multi-year participant. The photo speaks for itself, really -- a lot of carving involved.
The other photo is a hall table entered by one of the participants on this Forum, so I hope he doesn't mind me using him as an example. The joinery is fantastic.
I've got my main entry for next year designed for the most part -- just a little detail work and I can get started. It'll probably take me all year to get it to the level I feel it needs to be.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Hi Bill. Is the hall table base made of multiple pieces all sliding dovetailed together? Wow. Peter
Peter,
Yes, that's the process as I understand it. The builder would be the better one to describe the process, of course. I have an Incra jig and have practiced on a much smaller scale with the multiple sliding dovetails and it's not as difficult as it looks -- just very tedious. For something like the hall table in the photo, I don't know if I'll be ready to tackle that in my lifetime!
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
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