Thread: Some Good, Some Bad and the Fab News

Hi

I feel like an exploding ball of energy, all nerves. It has been a frantic week and it looks like will continue to be so for a while.

As some of you may know I got into the NMIT Furniture Design course here in Melbourne. Having gained entry into the NMIT Furniture Design course in Victoria, I had intended to establish a solid foundation in furniture design and construction in 2008. I had decided to enter into the NMIT program largely on the bases of the Mario a senior teacher at the NMIT course. With whom I had spoken to about Japanese Joinery, Tool Making, Hand Tools, fine furniture making etc etc. I was as happy as a pig in good stuff. I was so looking forward to doing this course, as some of may have known.

However during last weeks orientation I was informed that Mario had left the program, probably pushed and that the course was under "New Management" and that management had "re-interpreted" the state curriculum for the course.

The NMIT's "interpretation" of the state curriculum has been driven by recent changes in the teaching staff. Has also resulted in the subsequent withdrawal of virtually all second year students from the NMIT course in protest. Information that I was not made aware of when I accepted a place within the course.

However giving the course a chance I turned up to classes during the week and spoke with with students and staff and from that I came to the inescapable conclusion that the NMIT course has shifted its design and drafting focus so as to be driven by the imperatives of mass production design in contrast to that of a craft focused designer maker. It is was judgment that such a focus would only be to the detriment of my development as a designer maker and would not foster the skills and knowledge that I seek to progress. Time which would be much better utilized else were.

So in desperation I contact the Australian School of Fine Furniture which is part of the University of Tasmania and made enquires that if a place could be found for me at this very late stage. The ASFF is by all account one of the finest Furniture School in Australia with a world class reputation. So today I had a telephone interview with the Academic Director to whom I had pleaded my case to via email. After an half an hour discussion Simon agreed to admit me into the ASFF program, setting me on my path of becoming a fine furniture maker.

You can see examples of the students work here, here, here and here.

Here is a cool blog that an American student Kaleo Kala started that show how the course evolves.

We get to have some of the Australia's best furniture makers as guest lecturers they just some very beautiful stuff. We get the guest lecturer in for a few weeks learning X then we do a project that we get to use X. Very Cool.

We get to also have four exhibitions over the next two years and the school has a stand and many Timber and Working with Wood so maybe I will get so see some of you guys soon.

The school is fully equipped with S.C.M. brand machines this stuff is hard core machines. Amongst others, the shop boasts a panel saw, 16inch planer, 20inch thicknesser, stroke sander, oscillating linisher/bobbin sander, two hollow chisel mortisers, a drum sander, spindle moulder and overhead router. All health and safety issues are thoroughly taken care of, including a high volume, modern and efficient dust collection system.

All this means that I have all kinds of changes that are happening all at once.

D2 Plane Blades - Batch Order 02

This will still go ahead, no worries. I have made arrangements for the blades to be picked up once they are ready and for those who would like to do a pick up from Melbourne that is still all OK. Nothing is going to change.

MikeW

Please answer my emails or PM's

IanW

I work something out, thank you for everything. I will get you what I promised.

DJ's Timber

I will send you a PM. Thanks Mate. Do you ever deliver to Tasmania.

Sales and Free Stuff

Because I am doing this move on short notice I have sell or give away some stuff. I have place allot of stuff on ebay see my account thegreatmovinginterstatesale. I however have some Jarrah, Red Gum, Spotted Gum, Grey and Red Ironbark, and Cypress for sale that I cannot take with me, most of the timber is suitble for box making, and came from recycled timbers, that have been scanned, de-nailed, cleaned up and re-sawn, all nice and clean. Will post more in thread. I will post photos in the BUY, SELL 'N' SWAP area.

I have a huge bag of rags (towels, cloths, and bedding material) that I am giving away.

More stuff may come up.

BBQ's, Turnfest, Plane Making Workshop.

I had intended to go to Astrids BBQ's in Melbourne. The Turnfest, and also the plane making workshop. All these I will not be able to make it so please accept my apologies.

New Members to Meet

I look forward to meeting up with some Tasmanian members. I have a nice guy, honest India. If you need references I have people can vouch for me.

Follow Your Dreams

Today I passed a large Greek Funeral for a guy only 30 years old and you know life is short; so follow your dreams because you will not get a second chance.

Wish me luck. I will post a thread about my experience in the course.

Brain Exploding.

*EDIT*

Franticly looking for a place to live. All the usual online places like domain.com.au and real-estate.com.au are no help. They do not even have an option allot of the time to search for share accommodation, in Launceston. I really do not wish to stay in a backpacker, I have $$$$ tools that I do not want pinched. I tried the local papers and the uni student services which were of no help at all and I do not have $3000 to the University upfront for dormitory accommodation. Its very stress full.