3rd Place
Last of the prizes, 3rd place goes to:
Earl McLain (IAP Handle greenacres2)
I edited the text submitted by Earl severely (and did not agree with his conclusion at the end of the text he submitted) but agreed with him that I would tell the "rest of the story" Paul Harvey style when the contest closed. Here is the text as Earl submitted it:
"Celtic Pen Stand
Before I met the Toymaker, he built several hundred toys each year--often hand sanding small parts from 3/4" pine down to 1/2" or less. Never sold any, rather gave them away. Once he learned I had a few tools, the Toymaker started bringing by scrap pine from a couple of local shops and I began milling for him. When it started, I looked for every reason to say no--by the time it ended i'd stop on the way home and pick up the Toymaker and some his wood, sometimes making him come out!!
On his last visit, he brought me some red oak molding--because he knew I "liked the good stuff". Probably his way of saying good-bye. That bundle has been standing in a corner of the shop for a year--so a few months ago I made his widow a Celtic pen, but haven't given it to her yet. Red oak's open grain makes a horrible pen--but Mrs. T will love it anyway. When the Extravaganza started--i'd just gotten a supply of mesquite chunks (the Toymaker's favorite grilling wood) so I thought I'd try a stand.
Mesquite body, red oak knot segmented in. Cross-drilled before turning--and ended up with something that looked like a rook from a chess set...the Toymaker's favorite game. Not much to it, and really somewhat rustic. I know that Mrs. T will not likely use the pen, so having a place to put it will be good. Not pretty by any stretch, but it carries its own beauty. Not a winner--but a chance to tell a good story...without a user name. Thanks for reading, and continue to do the things you do to touch others. Now...go vote for a real project."
