Jenkins Journal

Jenkins Journal
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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