Green Woodworking with John Skewes and Peter Lamb

Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Green Woodworking Subgroup on May 18, 2024, at John Skewes’ shop in Kensington NH, with guest, Peter Lamb.
John Skewes was the first president of the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers. Through the 80’s and 90’s John worked as a chairmaker, and furniture maker, before pursuing a career in information technologies. Now retired John is active again; most recently, carving bowls and spoons, often times doing joinery projects, and always, sharpening.
Green woodworking is the process of using freshly cut, unseasoned wood to make furniture and other items. The topic of green woodworking is broad, encompassing not only Appalachian, and Windsor chairs and spoon carving, but also brooms, baskets, wood bending, turning and bowls, painting - really, a multipath vein of interest.
Green woodworking progresses at human speed, not the speed of machines. Work proceeds in quiet, encouraging reflection, discovery and or, improvisation. Working with handheld edge tools you learn the properties of your materials - objects are shaped and modified by hand, not electric powered rotary tools. As with any woodworking endeavor, projects span the spectrum, from utilitarian, to fine art. Green woodworking welcomes the beginner, and encourages teaching.
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