From Wes:

I have been getting questions about the Free Carpentry class this coming weekend. I hope you can make it. We'll be building a treehouse downtown. And if you are planning on coming to it, I want to make sure you are prepared.

FREE CARPENTRY

We want to help create living, breathing connected living spaces for people, and at the same time, combine our artistic goals, living experience, building skills and specialties to help build real communities and work toward a thriving gift economy.

We live in a world that has given a lot to us, and we want to give something back. We do this professionally, and it's the best way we know to share what we love to do. it's not about charity; this is our gift to our community, and to ourselves and a way to get involved in interesting projects where people are ready to let go of societal standards. Where we as artisans can let our most fantastical visions loose, pour our soul out, share what we love, and offer it as a gift. It's one more way of infusing happiness and interconnectedness into the social milieu.

What if, as an artistically inclined carpenter, you were to find someone who offered a project that enlisted all your most treasured skills and tricks, that tickled you to figure out how to expand your knowledge and courage in how you use your tools and noggin and informational/material resources. A project in which you could give the finished product with no expectations of return? It's cathartic. It's all about letting go. Not unlike incinerating carefully created art work. Yet with free carpentry, your art and craftsmanship lives on and influences and reverberates.

Giving away the best of what you do will transform your relationship with your work. Free carpentry is just a beginning.

THE WORKSHOP

Chez Claudine
203 Blackburn
Wes, 408-218-2782

In this whole weekend hands-on workshop we will get an intro to Free Carpentry and build a treehouse. Requirements: Attendance of both classes is strongly recommended. Having beginning carpentry skills will be useful, but not necessary. Bring any tools you have. Be prepared to take plenty of notes and work hard. Call or email to reserve a space in the class.

Sat. Sept. 24 9am - 4pm Free carpentry, safety, tool basics, foundation
Sun. Sept. 25 9am - 4pm Walls, windows, doors

WHAT TO BRING

The Free Skool calendar said you should bring tools if you have them. True. People have asked what tools will be useful. I'll try to give you an idea. We won't be needing any finish tools at all. The following tools will be very useful. If you are thinking about doing carpentry on a regular basis, these are also the bare minimum you'll need. So buying these tools will be a good investment. (There are several used tool places in town, including Drew's Used Tools).

HAND TOOLS
Framing Hammer
Toolbelt/toolbag
Nail puller or flat bar
Speed square
Carpenter pencils
Chalk line/chalk box

POWER TOOLS
Wormdrive saw (also called a Skil saw)
Cordless drill/screwdriver

OTHER STUFF
Water
Snacks, if you think you might feel peckish
Food you want to share at lunchtime

BEYOND THE BASICS

Other advice that will allow you to get the most out of this workshop.

ARRIVE EARLY - due to time limitations, we will start on-time and will not repeat anything

ASK QUESTIONS - there will be tons and tons of stuff that you will not get the first time around, ask questions until you understand it

TAKE NOTES - this workshop will be fast-paced. You should carry a small notebook with you and take voluminous notes on everything.

COME READY TO WORK - After this weekend, you will be wracked. You will be lifting, cutting, hammering, digging, and pulling. Stretch ahead of time and be sure you are ready to work your ass off.

ATTEND BOTH DAYS - You will get the most out of the workshop by attending both Saturday's and Sunday's workshop. On the second day, we will build (literally) on what we learned the first day.

BE HONEST - Be honest about your experience, what you know, what you understand, or what you need help with. If you do, we can get you more information, help with what you are doing, or whatever you need.

BE ATTENTIVE - Pay careful attention to everything you hear, to any instructions you receive, and mostly, to everything you learn from every mistake you make.

HAVE FUN - Bring your tolerance, your patience (especially with yourself), your understanding, your most attentive, problem-solving, confident self. And have fun.

DIRECTIONS

Blackburn is right off of Laurel across from the Santa Cruz High football field a few blocks up from downtown.

MORE INFO

For more info about the class, go to the free skool santa cruz website.
There is also a tribe.net group about free carpentry.

I hope to see you there. Drop me a line to tell me you are coming. Or if you have any questions.

Wes