Wall cabinet made of mahogany, ebony and padauk by Steve Voorhies, our host. The Japanese characters come from a calligraphy by Soetsu Yanagi and means “absolute compassion.” Published in his book The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty, Yanagi challenges the conventional ideas of art and beauty, the value of things made by an anonymous craftsman, and the value of handwork. Steve touts Yanagi’s book as “a wonderful book on aesthetics.”
Steve hosted our April 2017 meeting at his home in Wenatchee. The turn-out was better than expected, and because it was one of the first fine spring days, we all gathered outside Steve and Sally’s house for conversation and introductions. If you would, please help us identify those attendees listed as unknown by dropping a note to Chris at church.chris@gmail.com.
L-R: Stan Simmons, Tom Ross, Roger Volkmann, unknown
L – R: Dan Kerr, Esther Zimmerman, Lynn Palmer, Maryanne Patton, and Willy Joslin.
Steve Voorhies, Willy Joslin, unknown, unknown
Sally Voorhies and Clyde Markey
Steve Noyes
Once introductions were over, we were treated to a tour of the furniture Steve has made for he and his wife, Sal. Included here are only a few.
Dining room table and chairs made in the Greene and Greene style
Framed mirror
This will be Steve’s pièce de résistance: this nearly completed Federal-style serpentine sideboard designed by Steve Latta. Fine Woodworking did a multi-part article on building this beauty, and the making of it has tested Steve’s skills. He’s done a terrific job.
Federal serpentine sideboard made of mahogany, with holly inlay and stringing
After we made our way into the shop, Autumn gave a presentation on how to sharpen scrapers using diamond stones, and Chris Church explained how to tune-up a table saw so it will cut straight and square.
Chris Church demonstrating how to align the miter slot to the blade.
We would like to thank all of the guild members who attended and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
