NJturner
Member
I just came back from Manassas, VA where I attended the third annual MATES gathering. The organizer, Michael Hardin of Stadium Pen Blanks, did a nice job of putting some really good turners and vendors together for a very informative weekend. The lead demonstrator, Barry Gross, led an excellent tutorial on creating a custom pen from scratch, focusing on each of the needed pen parts in each session. There were various other demonstrations by people who offered instructions on resin casting, stabilization, and other similar areas related to pen turning. I also had an amazing session with Jim Hinze, who gave 1 on 1 classes for a select few on a deep dive into fully 'bespoke' pen making - Jim openly shared every method and technique I needed, as he also provided great commentary on my techniques and methods. The show also had a very pen specific vendor area where lots of well know suppliers were available to answer questions and sell you needed materials for building custom as well as kit pens - and my wallet was heavily put in play!!
My only complaint is not specific to this event - as I was pretty satisfied with its content and delivery. The show had some glitches but it is a growing event still working out the kinks and I hope Michael and crew continue work on resolving them to make next year's event better attended and more successful, so my comment is more of one about the craft in general.
It is really difficult to find penmaking specific resources/educational seminars such as this event. The upcoming MidWest Penturners Gathering in Chicago is one of the only shows I know that is 100% focused on penmaking and makers. This is opposed to the many local and regional turners events held in many cities across the country. I spoke to Michael Hardin about this in some depth over a lunch break - Michael is the primary driver and organizer of the MATE show. He is looking to grow the show and get more attendance, and it seems that in order to do that, he needs to appeal to typical turners producing things beside pens (hoping they will also become pen turners?), and consequently the MATE program offered a few sessions on making items of appeal to non-pen turners. These sessions were well done, but on speaking to people over the course of the show everyone pretty much to a person attending wanted to focus on penmaking skill building, so I found it unfortunate that yet another show was somewhat forced to address 'real turning' versus head on 100% penmaking.
The vendor show was 100% directed at penmakers. There were excellent makers and vendors catering to everything pens - from casting materials and pre-made blanks to penmaking tools and kits. Lots of kit supplies as well as craft 'bespoke' items were available from people who frequent this site as well as by makers who also sell. I walked out with bags of items and my head loaded with more knowledge from each vendor who shared their skills on the vendor floor as well as in the classes. Walking around I also got to meet 'in real life' with many other IAP members who attended - a wonderful experience!
Summarizing my point - I think it is unfortunate that penmaking is pretty much considered a 'second class' skill to making a bowl or other turnings to most turners and turning organizations - as evidenced by the general dirth of penmaking on most national turning conferences agendas. I am tired of people telling me that 'when I learn to turn, I will abandon pens and make a wonderful bowl". Lol, Really? I enjoyed the MATE conference and will return next year. I hope that other penmakers also consider attending this show as well as other similar shows wherever you are located. Get the word out that penmakers are serious people with serious skills! We also might do other things, but penmaking is a big driver for many of us.
My message I gave to Michael at the show and repeated again here is that a 100% penmaking focused show can be successful - and I hope MATE next year will drop the 'classic turner' attempts and stay on theme - penmaking.
Thanks again to Michael and his crew for the many hours of work needed to pull off this event!
Kevin
My only complaint is not specific to this event - as I was pretty satisfied with its content and delivery. The show had some glitches but it is a growing event still working out the kinks and I hope Michael and crew continue work on resolving them to make next year's event better attended and more successful, so my comment is more of one about the craft in general.
It is really difficult to find penmaking specific resources/educational seminars such as this event. The upcoming MidWest Penturners Gathering in Chicago is one of the only shows I know that is 100% focused on penmaking and makers. This is opposed to the many local and regional turners events held in many cities across the country. I spoke to Michael Hardin about this in some depth over a lunch break - Michael is the primary driver and organizer of the MATE show. He is looking to grow the show and get more attendance, and it seems that in order to do that, he needs to appeal to typical turners producing things beside pens (hoping they will also become pen turners?), and consequently the MATE program offered a few sessions on making items of appeal to non-pen turners. These sessions were well done, but on speaking to people over the course of the show everyone pretty much to a person attending wanted to focus on penmaking skill building, so I found it unfortunate that yet another show was somewhat forced to address 'real turning' versus head on 100% penmaking.
The vendor show was 100% directed at penmakers. There were excellent makers and vendors catering to everything pens - from casting materials and pre-made blanks to penmaking tools and kits. Lots of kit supplies as well as craft 'bespoke' items were available from people who frequent this site as well as by makers who also sell. I walked out with bags of items and my head loaded with more knowledge from each vendor who shared their skills on the vendor floor as well as in the classes. Walking around I also got to meet 'in real life' with many other IAP members who attended - a wonderful experience!
Summarizing my point - I think it is unfortunate that penmaking is pretty much considered a 'second class' skill to making a bowl or other turnings to most turners and turning organizations - as evidenced by the general dirth of penmaking on most national turning conferences agendas. I am tired of people telling me that 'when I learn to turn, I will abandon pens and make a wonderful bowl". Lol, Really? I enjoyed the MATE conference and will return next year. I hope that other penmakers also consider attending this show as well as other similar shows wherever you are located. Get the word out that penmakers are serious people with serious skills! We also might do other things, but penmaking is a big driver for many of us.
My message I gave to Michael at the show and repeated again here is that a 100% penmaking focused show can be successful - and I hope MATE next year will drop the 'classic turner' attempts and stay on theme - penmaking.
Thanks again to Michael and his crew for the many hours of work needed to pull off this event!
Kevin
