The Meeting Announcement newsletter for the next chapter meeting will be available about one week before the meeting date.
Click HERE to access the most recent newsletter.
Scroll down for the calendar of upcoming meetings & special events.
Regular Chapter Meeting
Saturday, Oct 10th at 1:00 pm – Chapter meeting, educational program / demonstration at 1901 Bell Avenue, Des Moines* (Watch your email for the notification and newsletter.) Newcomers are welcome to attend!
Phil Holtan has been a woodturner for 45 years, leading workshops, selling at art shows and galleries, and demonstrating at many turning clubs. This demonstration, similar to one he did at the St. Paul Symposium in 2025, is turning a ring tree, based on the Norwegian wedding cake, the Kransekake. His design grew out of a persistent family story of the cake, and he adapted the old turners trick of captive rings to turn multiple rings on a tapered cone. He will work up to the tree by first turning a baby rattle to concentrate on turning the rings and showing a project that most woodturners can accomplish. Then he will turn the ring tree in several stages, and finally, show a step beyond with a “crooked tree” turned on 7 different centers to give a “Seusical” spin to the story. Click HERE to go to Phil’s website.
We’ll also have our regular Show ‘n Tell where everyone is encouraged to show a recently turned item, big or small, finished or unfinished, and share your turning experience with the members. Because our chapter is made up of a wide variety of member skill levels, Show ‘n Tell will reflect those skill levels. Consider showing some of your work and tell us what you learned while making it.
Wednesday, Sept 23rd, 9:00-11:30 am – Informal Networking Meeting at 1901 Bell Avenue, Des Moines* (Watch your email for notifications).
The monthly networking meeting allows members to network with other woodturners in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. There is no set agenda. We envision members coming and going at their leisure. It further allows gathering during the summer months, thereby providing a full twelve months of learning opportunities through woodturning experience sharing.
We’ll also have our regular Show ‘n Tell where everyone is encouraged to show a recently turned item, big or small, finished or unfinished, and share your turning experience with the members. Because our chapter is made up of a wide variety of member skill levels, Show ‘n Tell will reflect those skill levels. Consider showing some of your work and tell us what you learned while making it.
Newcomers are always welcome to attend! Click HERE for Information Sheet.
Monthly events:
2nd Saturday of the month, Sept. thru May, 1:00 pm – Chapter meeting, educational program / demonstration and “Show & Tell” at 1901 Bell Avenue, Des Moines (Watch your email for the notification and newsletter.)
4th Wednesday of the month (except 3rd Wed. in Nov & Dec), 9:00-11:30 am – Informal Networking Meeting at 1901 Bell Avenue, Des Moines (Watch your email for notifications.)
Upcoming Meetings, Special Events & Education Opportunities:
Friday, Oct 9th & Saturday Oct 10th, Woodworking in America at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
The marketing team for Fine Woodworking, Woodsmith, and Popular Woodworking extend to your group a personal invitation to a special event that we’ve been working on to celebrate the craft we all love- Woodworking in America in Des Moines, Iowa!
Registration is now OPEN HERE. We know how important organizations like yours are to the woodworking community, so we’ve created an exclusive, limited-time offer for all of your members. This year’s event, held on October 9–10 at the Iowa State Fair Grounds in Des Moines, promises to be an exceptional experience, featuring a comprehensive lineup of workshops, demonstrations, and talks from some of the most esteemed woodworkers in the country. We want to offer you and your members an exclusive opportunity to save $100 on the registration fee when you use the code GUILD26.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect at the event:
- Hands-on Workshops: Enhance your skills with practical, hands-on sessions led by top professionals.
- Inspiring Demonstrations: Watch live demonstrations showcasing both traditional and cutting-edge techniques and tools.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow woodworking enthusiasts, vendors, editors, and experts during our VIPcocktail reception.
- Exhibitions and Vendors: Explore a wide range of woodworking supplies and equipment from top manufacturers in the industry.
We’d be so grateful if you shared this special offer as a benefit to your members. For more details and to register, visit the official event page here.
I hope to see you all in Des Moines this October! Again, please visit the registration page and use the code GUILD26 to sign up.