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Caleb James talks with fellow woodworkers after one of his sessions at Woodworking in America 2016.

The title above is not a typo. May of this year marks the third bi-annual Handworks, an event that draws more than 2,000 woodworkers to Iowa every two years for two fun days of trying out the best in hand tools and hanging out with like-minded folks (I’ll be one of them).

I know that Woodworking in America is an investment. Not only is there a fee to attend (we have to fairly compensate the 20+ expert speakers we feature at every conference and pay for the hall rental), there’s (for many) travel and lodging costs to factor in. And while I hear from most attendees that it’s well worth it, I know many of you would have to choose between Handworks and WIA.

I wouldn’t want to have to make that choice. And I don’t want you to, either. So in 2017, Woodworking in America will take a year off; we’ll spend that time planning and organizing a can’t-miss-it event for 2018. My apologies for not being able to share this news sooner.

So I look forward to seeing many of you in Iowa in a few months. And know that if you’re in the Cincinnati area in 2017, you’re welcome at our shop any time. Also, we’re working on a couple of possible smaller woodworking gatherings for later this year – more on that to come. And those of you whom I don’t see at Handworks, I look forward to seeing at Woodworking in America in 2018.

— Megan Fitzpatrick


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Showing 12 comments
  • john2t

    Wish I could be there, being retired and all. However other things are consuming my funds right now.
    Just a comment on the picture above. I thought all woodworkers were very thin, had a beard, and had long hair.
    Gosh I guess the is just a misconception on my part 🙂 Perhaps 2018 will be better.

  • justinB

    Good deal, unfortuently my PITA work schedule denies me from attending Handworks, AGAIN. Just like it has for WIA. At least I live within an hour of PW office and LAP, so i can at least get a “snack” every now and then. Want to meet with some of the people who have educated and inspired me, sometime in the next decade, to at least thank them for thier efforts.

    Hoping WIA 2018 lands on my offtime!

  • Kyle Barton

    I was a little bummed at first, but then I realized – I’m going to Handworks!!

  • Mystic Carver

    Looking forward to seeing you there! That is the one I am booking myself too be at this year! Yay!

  • John Switzer

    Janet and I had already made the decision to go to handworks this year and skip WIA. So I’m glad it works out this way. It’ll make WIA 2018 even better.

  • Billy's Little Bench

    I know some will be disappointed, but this is a great win win for both events. And I’ll see You at Handworks. Will there be a PopWood table at Handworks???? books dvd’s etc….

  • muthrie

    Smart!

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