Jenkins Journal

Jenkins Journal

July 2009

It's full speed ahead to Sock Summit 09 ! We're at the stage where we're carefully considering each activity and how it fits into our schedule with getting items make for Sock Summit. Almost all social activities and breaks have come to a halt except for those times when we definitely need a mental break.

If you're not registered for Sock Summit but you're in the Portland, Ore area the weekend of Aug 7 - 9 please come by the Convention Center and stop by our booth, #119 in the Marketplace. Non registered people will be able to come in to browse, buy and just hang out during the open hours for $2/day. Not too shabby of an entry fee! Even though all the workshops and classes have long been filled there will still be plenty of action all around. Throughout the days there will be demonstrations at the main stage at the center of the Marketplace.

May 2009

I'm stunned to see that it's been almost a year since I updated this page! The past year seems like a blur in time. The birth of a grandson who will turn one in a few weeks. He's a sturdy young fellow who's determined to walk on his own very soon. Our daughter became engaged on Christmas eve - marriage ceremony will be May 23rd. Seems hardly possible that it's almost upon us except that the busyness of trying to get everything done while trying to catch up with orders have our heads spinning.

We feel extremely blessed that so many people are loving using the various items Ed makes! We have stayed busy trying to keep up with orders. Not sure how crazy it is, but we signed up to be vendors at the Sock Summit 09! It will certainly be a challenge for Ed to make extra items to stock up for the Sock Summit but here and there he's made an extra item that I set aside into a slowly growing pile. If you don't have plans yet for the summer, the Sock Summit will be the place to be! There's an amazing line up of teachers at the top of their fields, vendors and people from all over.

Please be patient during the next two weeks as final preparations are in place for the wedding. Our daughter has tried to keep it simple, and she's extremely organized, but we are still involved in several areas. Dyeing silk hankies for table displays, making mounds of food, trips to and fro the airport.

June 2008

Whew! June was filled with all types of activity.

It started off with our grandson's birth on the first. For several days his big sis stayed with us. Then it was off to the Northwest Regional Spinner's Conference as vendors. Ed had a terrible case of allergies brought on by all the cottonwood seed which had him sleeping almost round the clock the few days before the show so we weren't quite as prepared as we wanted to be. This was our first show since the fall of 2006, and we really enjoyed interacting face to face with spinners and buyer. We had wonderful feedback from buyers, especially with the new Baby Turkish Spindles. They practically flew off the tables.

Our son, wife and the two kids, including the two week old baby were rear-ended while stopped at a construction site. Apparently the young driver behind them wasn't paying attention and slammed into them at almost 55mph. Their vehicle was totaled but we're thanking God that no one was significantly injured!

We belatedly put in a garden which has been growing by leaps and bounds since the 100 degree temperature on Saturday. In searching for a seed company with heirloom, non-hybrid seeds Ed found Victory Seeds. They turned out to be in this area of Oregon and had our seeds to us within a day of ordering. We're happy to have found a conscientious heirloom seed company which excellent customer service. Not only was shipping fast but they package the seeds in little zip-lock type bags within the paper packet for storing unused seeds.

We're staying busy with orders, garden, yard work and grandkids. Life is full and good.

Grandpa Ed and the Little Guy, four weeks old:

Jenkins Journal
April 2008

Did you watch the YouTube video of Ed turning? Please take the time so see the work involved in turning a small knitting needle. The process is the same for spindle shafts, crochet hooks, and hairpin lace looms with variations. This was filmed mostly standing on a stepladder. Not the safest place to be when the lathe is spinning a small wood object at high RPM.

The force exerted on the bit of wood is tremendous. Smaller diameters plus longer lengths provide the formula for high odds that the item will break during the turning process. The highest breakage occurs just as Ed is close to finishing turning the needle. To be in the path of its trajectory could be deadly.

The video shows only one step out of about six, depending on the finished product. Ed doesn't use computerized machines for any of the products he's developed. His skill has come about through years of applying his woodworking knowledge, design concepts, innovation, self study, and thousands of hours taking his abilities one step further.

Please email us your comments. :-) contact @ jenkinswoodworking.com

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Phone: 503-873-1246 or PO Box 159 Scotts Mills, OR 97375
Copyright 2003 - 2008
Author Wanda Jenkins
All content on the JenkinsWoodworking website is owned by Ed & Wanda Jenkins, No duplications, reproductions,
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Updated July 1, 2008

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