Compared to last year, my 2014 teaching schedule is a cakewalk. But that’s like comparing the various Boer wars, the First, Second and Third Reichs and Fried Pickles v. Lots-a-tots at Hooters. In other words: It’s all brutal.
I teach classes because I know that it’s good for my research and writing. I meet fascinating people, and I get to visit interesting places. But most of the time, I’d prefer to crawl under the sink unit at the Hampton Inn in the fetus position.
I am a natural hermit.
So here is my 2014 teaching schedule, with a promise that 2015 will be even more limited.
Jan. 18-19, 2014
Kansas City Woodworkers Guild
I’m teaching a two-day class on building a Dutch Tool Chest and giving a presentation on Jan. 18 on something (relating to woodworking, promise). This club is very impressive. Well-organized. They have an excellent facility and passionate members. Contact them if you’d like to attend the free Saturday night program.
Feb. 22-23, 2014
Alabama Woodworkers Guild
During this weekend seminar, I’ll build a six-board chest entirely by hand and attempt to do a massive brain dump on handwork in the process. Visit the club’s site for details on attending the seminar.
Mar. 17-24, 2014
William Ng Woodworking School
I’m teaching two classes at this California school. The first is on making Roorkee chairs; the second is on making a Dutch tool chest. Both classes are lots of fun (for me, at least!).
April 25-28, 2014
The Alaska Creative Woodworkers Association
It’s my first visit to Alaska, and I am very excited about it. During my trip there I’ll be teaching a class in making layout tools and the Dutch tool chest. Plus I’ll be giving a presentation to the club.
May 5-9, 2014
The Woodworkers Club, Rockville, Md.
During my first teaching gig in this area, I’ll be teaching a class in building the Anarchist’s Tool Chest, and speaking to the local SAPFM chapter and doing some other cool stuff I can’t mention just yet.
June 9-13, 2014
Marc Adams School of Woodworking, Franklin, Ind.
French Workbench. If you want to build an epic French workbench, this is the class to take. We have lined up some excellent ash for the class and the facility and machinery make it an incredible week.
June 18-20, 2014
The Woodwright’s School, Pittsboro, N.C.
I’m teaching the Dutch tool chest at Roy Underhill’s school during these three days. If you’ve ever been to a class with me and Roy, then you know you are in for an intense session of teaching, gesticulating and eating of scones.
July 5-6, 2014
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Warren, Me.
In my attempt to spread awesome Dutchness across our great land, I’m teaching an intense two-day class in building a Dutch tool chest at the inspirational Lie-Nielsen facility.
July 21-28
Mystery England Classes
I’ll have a lot more to say about these two classes in England – my first teaching assignment in England ever. So stay tuned. Or take a liver holiday and sign up for them now.
Oct. 4-5, 2014
Marc Adams School of Woodworking, Franklin, Ind.
This is the annual handplane weekend class I teach at Marc Adams’ school with Thomas Lie-Nielsen. It is a fun on a bun – an annual ritual of indoctrinating new hand tool woodworkers that I don’t ever want to miss.
There are a couple of other club events and shows that I am still working on, plus a couple of Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Events that I’ll be adding to this calendar in the coming weeks. But if you seek to abuse/amuse me in 2014, the list above is fairly complete.
— Christopher Schwarz