Pins & Tales is the quarterly digital newsletter of SAPFM, published in Adobe PDF format. Issues are sent to current members at the end of March, June, September and December with the latest listings of classes, events, news and articles on research, construction and finishing of historical forms of furniture. Members also have access to all previous issues of the quarterly. This is just one of the many benefits of SAPFM membership.
The SAPFM editorial team is pleased to present the Spring 2024 issue of our quarterly eMagazine Pins & Tales
There is no time like the present to make your plans for summer. If you want to take a class to enhance your skills, check out our listings in this issue. We’ve added new schools to our list and there are opportunities to work side by side with master furniture makers in many locations. We also have the details for our annual conference and Cartouche award banquet. The conference will be held at the end of June in southeastern Pennsylvania. You’ll also find announcements for upcoming meetings for some of our regional chapters, and reports on recent meetings. There is also an online event planned for mid-April with 2023 Cartouche recipient Dan Faia via Zoom. Dan will share highlights of past and current projects. In May, the inaugural meeting of a new “virtual” chapter with a focus on hand tool furniture making will debut, with plans to meet monthly.
In addition to looking forward we also report on recent happenings, notably the annual “Working Wood in the 18th Century” conference, chapter meetings and news from the SAPFM board and committees. The results of the annual “Phil Lowe Maker’s Challenge” are in and you can see the incredible work of your fellow members in this issue. Member (and New England chapter co-lead) Wes Sunderland shares his build of a William & Mary style gate-leg table, an attractive and useful piece that fits in any home. It’s a great project that develops skills without a large investment in materials. Art director Julian Peters takes us along on his recent clock project, with a discussion of Shaker origins, design influences and his adaptations. We also provide a link to a video from 2012 Cartouche recipient Al Breed; a museum presentation about the craftsmanship of creating fine furniture.
Pins & Tales is one of the many benefits of SAPFM membership along with our website and our annual journal, American Period Furniture. Make sure you spread the word about our society to your friends and neighbors, either in person or through your social media accounts. There are a lot more folks out there who would enjoy our organization but aren’t aware of us yet. We need your help to increase awareness about us and our number of members. If you have an idea for an article for either of our publications get in touch with me to find out how easy it can be and how much it helps everyone in the organization when you share what you are working on.
Our publications, events and chapter meetings all depend on you to share your efforts in making furniture and growing our organization. Make time to participate, volunteer and explore the numerous ways to give back. Every volunteer is important. Your local chapter always needs help planning, organizing and conducting meetings. If there isn’t an active chapter in your area, consider starting one or stepping up to revitalize one. If you want to get involved on any level there are plenty of opportunities.