This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Misty Hollow Carving and the Spring Pole Lathe at the Buckhorn Heritage Day 2010
Mark Brelsford assembled this amazing tool, known as a Spring Pole Lathe that I demonstrate, a number of years ago. Mark passed away in 2003. Mark had used this Lathe as an integral part of his volunteer work at the Kinmount Fair on the Labour Day Weekend in September of each year.
Now the Spring Pole Lathe has started a new leg of its journey – traveling around the central part of Ontario. And the travel is with a new purpose… connecting with children and adults that have never seen something this. After the demonstration each person has shown a deep appreciation for the Old Lathe and its wonderful ability to produce beautiful pieces.
Perhaps you have never taken part in something like the Buckhorn Heritage Day. I am sorry that you missed it – but there will always be next year.
I wasn’t sure what it was all about either when the first call came from Janet Clarkson.
Janet is a dynamic lady that is constantly on the move. She is not very big physically but she is one power house of a person – and she gets things done. Janet loves her community and everyone senses that. She, with that love and dynamo attitude, is able to motivate dozens upon dozens of volunteers to give weeks of preparation time and then a whole day of action to make it possible for hundreds upon hundreds of people to catch a vision of the Old and New Buckhorn Community.
How do you excite people about a Spring Pole Lathe? How do you get them to stop to talk about something that has a heritage of over 900 years of work? Like who cares about something like a Lathe in the middle of dozens of dazzling displays?
The answers are simple – start it up and see! Make it work again and watch what happens. People strolling along stop dead and they start to form their words, not sure of what to ask or what to say! It is at that moment I ask them… “Have you ever seen a Spring Pole Lathe work before?”
Only one young man stated that he had read about the Lathe in one of his books – but the other hundreds upon hundreds simply had never heard of such a thing.
The true wood turners were perhaps the most fun. They know their wood turning and are generally experts at what they do. They have never considered where the history of the wood turning – where it really came from and what its history is all about.
The story of the Spring Pole Lathe is a fascinating one to say the least. It represents freedom, entrepreneurship, and the heart of every pioneer all wrapped up into one simple machine made from some planks and pegs, and driven by two simple sapling trees. Its simplicity is what stops the fine folk that are walking by.
The highlight for me was the dozens upon dozens of kids that stopped by to watch. Their eyes sparkled as they looked on.
The first boy to ask the magical question with a twinkle in his eyes was about 10 years old. “Could I try to make it work?” he quizzed.
The answer was “Absolutely… I will just bring this old box into place and you can stand with me as we work together.”
From there I did the Grandpa thing… showing my new “grandkids” how this ancient tool operated. I cannot tell you how many digital cameras clicked away yesterday and the kids took part in the Spring Pole Lathe adventure. It was amazing.
My wife Alida snapped a few shots in between her continual dialogues with people about my carvings and Teddy bears. We added some video and the snap shots and produced a new Spring Pole Lathe video that is now on YouTube for all to see at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wKZ2WyQmQ
Nope – I didn’t sell buckets of things. I wasn’t really there for that purpose I guess. Not a lot of kids carry $100 bills in their winter coats pockets. Their dads and moms were attracted by the Free Day at the Buckhorn Heritage Day. It was kind of like trying to sell your wares at a Big Family get together in your home. Family members love what you do – but they never buy.
BUT – I made hundreds of potential sales for the future. Like the lady from Britain that is going to call when she comes back in a few months time. She wants a Teddy Bear. Then there was the other man from Toronto that discussed a possible demo of the Lathe in his area. Or… the many others that took pamphlets and cards promising to contact me again.
The Buckhorn Heritage Day was a complete success in my books – one of the best that I have attended and taken part in. I loved it.
One final note…
There is a need to make one or two more Lathes now. I have plans in my head for a few smaller ones that take up less space… I need to make some parts so I can turn bowls on the Lathe… and I need to make a few pieces for the present one… I need to get to work on it – NOW!
Gotta run… I smell sawdust and shavings… my Spring Pole Lathe is calling… and we are about to get real busy real soon…
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sources:
Murray Lincoln and the Spring Pole Lathe at the Buckhorn Heritage Day – Feb 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wKZ2WyQmQ
Murray Lincoln and the Spring Pole Lathe at Misty Hollow Carving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7kHaAUXty0
No comments:
Post a Comment