Woodworking Extravaganza Demos
DEMOS
Friday October 17th, 9am – 6pm & Saturday October 18th, 9am – 4pm
1960 13th Ave Dr. SE, Hickory, NC 28602
DEMOS
Every year, woodworkers and clubs from North Carolina showcase their skills by offering free demonstrations and expert advice. Many of them set up booths with displays and additional information about their clubs. If you have an interest in woodturning, be sure not to miss the extensive free demonstrations available.
Demos
Michele Parsons
Michele Parsons
Michele Parsons has always been drawn to both art and nature. Her childhood spent sketching and exploring the woods inspired a lifelong passion that led her to specialize in woodcarving and pyrography. Through these mediums, she connects deeply with trees, finding peace in the rhythmic flow of carving and the earthy aroma of burning wood.
Over the years, Michele’s work has been sold through galleries and commissioned by private collectors. She is currently on a creative sabbatical, exploring new artistic directions. With over 20 years of teaching experience. Michele has taught pyrography to thousands of students across the U.S. at venues like the International Woodcarving Congress, John C. Campbell Folk School, Southeastern Woodcarving School, and the American Woodcarving School.
Michele is the author of Quick-Start Woodburning Guide and Leather Pyrography (also published in German) and parts of the Big Book of Pyrography Projects. She also contributes regularly to Pyrography and Woodcarving Illustrated magazines. A strong advocate for the pyrography community, she founded the Southeastern Pyrography Association and helped organize the first multi-material pyrography competition.
Michele continues to promote pyrography through Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop, where she teaches, demonstrates, and writes The Burning Post blog/newsletter.
Demos daily in the Klingspor pyrography booth
Southeastern Pyrography Association (SEPA)
Southeastern Pyrography Association (SEPA)
The Southeastern Pyrography Association (SEPA) invites you to stop by our booth to try your hand at woodburning. We have several small images for you to choose from to burn and take home. SEPA members will guide you through transferring a pattern to wood and using the burner's electric pen.
Marquetarians of the Carolinas
Marquetarians of the Carolinas
Will be demonstrating cutting and inlaying wood veneers into a wood veneer background to create a variety of pictures. Cutting will be accomplished by use of custom-made marquetry saws (fret saws) using jewelers' blades. Examples of our finished work will be displayed.
George Wurtzel
George Wurtzel
George was living and teaching in California when he was recruited to appear in a Subaru commercial. In the commercial, he takes a couple out to listen to the whales and walk in the forest at night.
George loves teaching turning and owns several Rikon lathes for his students. He recently renovated an old building in Greeneville, TN, where he teaches, runs his art gallery, and lives.
George Vondriska
George Vondriska
George Vondriska has been teaching woodworking since 1986. In addition to running his woodworking school, George has taught woodworking courses to various groups, including woodworking shows, schools, retail stores, the U.S. Peace Corps, the Pentagon, Northwest Airlines, and Andersen Windows. George is the primary instructor for Vondriska Woodworks woodworking classes.
You may also know George from his work as the Tools and New Products Editor for American Woodworker Magazine, his articles in Fine Woodworking, WOOD, and Woodworkers Journal Magazines, or from his current position as Managing Editor of WoodWorkers Guild of America.
If you're looking for woodworking classes in Minneapolis and the surrounding area, please come and visit Vondriska Woodworks.
Dan Nantz
Dan Nantz
Step into the world of woodturning as Dan transforms a solid block of wood into an iconic cowboy hat. In this demonstration, you'll learn about the process of turning an ultra-thin, wearable wooden hat—an impressive blend of artistry, precision, and storytelling.
Learn about wood selection, shaping techniques, and the delicate balance between form and function. Be inspired to push the boundaries of what woodturning can be. Saddle up—this is one turning adventure you won’t want to miss.
Jerry Measimer
Jerry Measimer
Jerry Measimer of Richfield, NC, is a multi-talented individual. He is a master woodworker who creates exquisite urns, bowls, pens, guitars, toys, and his signature custom-fitting hats, which are only 1/8th inches thick. This year he will be demostrating his Birdhouse turning techniques.
His hats have been displayed in fine art museums and worn by notable personalities, including former Miss America and country music legends like Charlie Daniels. Despite starting woodturning just six years ago, Jerry, who works as a drywall and tile specialist, can be described as a Renaissance man with a charming personality.
He is also an artisan, a teacher, a former marine, a father and grandfather, a philosopher, an engineer, a storyteller, a romantic, a humanitarian, and, as some may say, the luckiest man you’ll ever find.
The Carolina Scrollers Club
The Carolina Scrollers Club
The Carolina Scrollers Club from Winston Salem will be selling beautiful hand-cut Christmas ornaments and donate the proceeds to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Be sure to check out their ornaments. They worked hard to help out people who needed a helping hand.
Catawba Valley Wood Carvers
Catawba Valley Wood Carvers
Want to see if you can try your hand learning to make carvings in wood but are not sure where to begin?
Catawba Valley Wood Carvers will be providing an opportunity to power carve a Yellow Legs shorebird using the Foredom flex shaft power carver.
We will be using attachments appropriate for most ages, with supervision for children especially. All materials and instruction will be provided by CVWC club. You take your finished creation with you to share and brag on.
Friday and Saturday, October 17th and 18th. Hope to see you there.
Brent Cook
Brent Cook
Brent Cook began woodworking at Klingspor’s Woodworking Extravaganza around 20 years ago. His interest was piqued by woodturning, and he made many friends through this craft.
He also discovered Klingspor’s woodworking shop classes and learned about the North Carolina Wood Turners. Brent eventually became a board member and, with his business partner Jason Annas of Carolina Woodcarver, has produced and sold nearly 20,000 pieces.
Three years ago, he also started chainsaw carving and has completed several on-site carvings, from golf courses to housing developments, all of which were consignment pieces. Brent considers himself an avid woodworker and believes that woodworking has no limits.
According to him, as long as you have a vision, you can bring out the natural beauty of God’s work. He believes that he has already done the hard part, and now it’s up to artists to help develop his vision.
Kutzall Power Carving Workshop
Kutzall Power Carving Workshop
Making a Swedish Spreading Knife – Join the Kutzall team at the Klingspor Woodworking Extravaganza for an exciting introduction to power carving. This session offers a unique blend of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship, featuring Kutzall tools. You’ll also get a hands-on carving experience, creating your Swedish butter knife in the classic Slöjd style. Whether you’re new to power carving or looking to elevate your woodworking skills, this workshop is perfect for enthusiasts and beginners. Stop by to learn, create, and take your craftsmanship to the next level!
Jeffrey Hornung
Jeffrey Hornung
Jeff began his woodturning journey in 2012 after sustaining a minor concussion in a car accident. It was nothing too serious, but he did experience “post-concussion syndrome.” Finding a hobby helped me get through that, and he became passionate about woodturning. After a few years, he started selling pens and small finished turnings. That experience led to bigger and better craft fairs. It helped him start to understand how to make better woodturning and develop some expertise with tools, products, and techniques.
By 2016, he was also an international demonstrator and woodturning teacher. Woodturning education is very important to him, and he’s happy to offer it in addition to product information and demonstration.
Check out @jeffreyhornung demonstrating in the @novawoodworking booth Oct 25th and 26th
NC Woodturners Association
NC Woodturners Association
Family Friendly – come learn to turn Honeydippers, Christmas Trees, a Snowman, or possibly make a screwdriver out of wood. Best part: take home your creation.
John Pask
John Pask
John is a local woodworking enthusiast who uses his skills to create incredibly detailed Boat Models. John will have several models on display where you can see the intricate craftsmanship in his work
Bull City Woodshop
Bull City Woodshop
The Bull City Woodshop is a nonprofit, youth-centered organization that promotes individual development, fosters community connections, and nurtures creativity through woodworking.
Joël Urruty
Joël Urruty
Joël Urruty is a fine art sculptor based in Western North Carolina. He creates abstract sculpture, figurative sculpture, and minimalist wall art.
After graduating with a BS in Design from San Francisco State University, Joël earned an MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology with an emphasis in woodworking.
His sculptures have been exhibited internationally and are included in the permanent collections of the Asheville Art Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the Boston Museum of Fine Art.