We had a class of kids in to try making carving in wood. They all did at least as well as the adult class we had earlier in the year!
All yellow cedar, above, but see how much difference a coat of linseed oil makes!
Working hard in the workshop:
The space has an additional Prusa Mini printer, added to the 3D Printer corner thanks to local firm Shermaynes Engineering. It might be surprisingly small, but is very fast and provides excellent quality 3D prints.
We had a few activities on at the library, this afternoon. Several people learned how to use a heddle loom:
Most popular, however, was our new badge making machine:
and those that wanted colourful dolls’ furniture weren’t left out:
We had a couple of sessions at Lancaster library last week, helping young children to design the dimensional objects that we fabricated for them while they waited. Mostly, their drawn designs or ideas were used to create a model using the excellent & free Tinkercad website (tinkercad.com). We even had a retired person give it a go on the day!
We will be back there doing a few more activities in the next few weeks too.
Yesterday, 27th July, 2024, we were part of a mini Fun Palace event, stationed at the Judges’ Lodgings in Lancaster town centre.
We brought parts for Sue’s laser-cut, doll’s size wooden dining chairs and park benches – the public was encouraged to decorate them, glue them together and take them home. We do creative, interactive events like this through the year and always need extra bodies to help out, if you are interested.
Today, we passed on a nice refurbished laptop to Grant, from the Employment Support Team. He took it to give to a vulnerable person, who is trying to get back to work – we wish them the best of luck!
If you have an old computer that you don’t need any more, why not drop it off with us and we can try to give it a good home!
Our last two wood events of the summer are near the beginning of July and on the bank holiday at the end of August. Both of these events are facilitated by Woodies Woodland Craft Training & Education.
Spoon carving – Monday 8th July, 6-8:30pm (£5-20)
Whittling day – Monday, 26th August, 10am-3pm (£10-40)
Kids, from 10, can attend, assuming they are accompanied by an adult.
We have a couple of whittling events coming up soon, including a full day of woodcrafting fun on August bank holiday, which lets you really get your teeth stuck in! All our events are pay-what-you-can, so we expect them to be very popular indeed, just like the two spoon carving events we’ve already successfully run this year. Both of these events are run by the talented Rick from Woodies Woodland Craft Training & Education.
Spoon carving – Monday 8th July, 6-8:30pm (£5-20)
Whittling day – Monday, 26th August, 10am-3pm (£10-40)
There is also still a single place left on Bil’s bench top carving class in a couple of weeks:
Yesterday, we were at Tabletop Republic Lancaster, running an event as part of a city-centre wide Lancaster Fun Palace. We try to get involved in local STEAM outreach as often as possible!
Visitor were able to design their own playing cards, using blank cards that we’d cut out with laser beams. They ended up making some very innovative and vibrant designs!
We also had the first playtest of a eco-themed card game that Bil is designing. This will become part of a secret project later in the year! The mechanics were a little off, because we got completely bogged down in pollution really early in the game. Thankfully, real life isn’t quite that punishing. The volunteers gave very useful constructive criticism – thanks!
Another splendid selection of cooking utensils created, as if by magic (but probably mostly with knives and gouges). Thanks to all the friendly folk who came down this evening and who hopefully won’t be strangers in the future!
We have more events coming soon!
