SDFWA

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association

Eye Openers

Eye Openers are the SDFWA’s monthly Saturday morning gathering where woodworkers of all skill levels come together to connect and get inspired. They are held in the Keck Pavilion, at the Shop [MAP].  Eye Openers start with coffee, donuts, and a chance to socialize with other woodworkers who share your passion for the craft. While you’re catching up on the latest technique, there are plenty of things to do:

  • Frequently there is a SIG table, where one of our Special Interest Groups demonstrate their unique talents
  • Robert Makar, a professional photographer, is often at the Eye Opener to  professionally photograph your project FOR FREE
  • Lumber Cycle attends and offers major discounts on their locally sourced lumber
  • You can visit the Membership table for questions or help with your membership
  • The ProClass table is available for questions or help with ProClass issues.
  • Tools Sales – When the shop has excess tools, they are available at a significant savings
  • Bring in your latest project to show off at the brag table. We are all interested in what you have done and how you did it
  • Frequently there are Hands On Demonstrations. You can learn a new technique or tool.

Eye Opener Itinerary

  • 8:00 AM -Doors Open
  • 9:00 SDFWA Meeting
  • 09:30 Guest Woodworker

Next Eye Opener

Date: April 25, 2026

Time: 8:00 am – 10:30 am

Location: SDFWA Shop [MAP]

Everyone Is Welcome

Bronze, Silver, and Gold Members

Interested Non-Members

Guest Woodworker: Jim Strawn, Design in Wood Director

Jim will be talking about the volunteer duties such as the San Diego County Fair Design in Wood Exhibition. The Design in Wood Exhibition is the reason the San Diego Fine Woodworkers exists. 40 years ago, a group of woodworkers got together to create SDFWA to sponsor the Design in Wood Exhibition and since then it has just grown. Today the DiW Exhibition is the largest juried woodworking exhibit in the USA. The Exhibition features hundreds of exhibits from some of the most talented woodworkers in the nation. It is viewed by several hundred thousand visitors a year in its 20-day run.

The Design in Wood exhibit is completely staffed by SDFWA member volunteers. Members of the SDFWA act as both Mini Docents and 19th century chair builders. In the chair shop there are projects for all levels of woodworking skills. You will be briefed on the unique tools, how to use them safely, and how to explain them to the fascinated visitors. The mini docents provide the fair visitors with a very personal and unique glimpse into the art and craft of woodworking.

Volunteers are provided with free fair tickets, two or four per shift. You can volunteer for multiple shifts and get enough tickets to host your own fair visit. Volunteering is fun and rewarding. Jim will explain the details of how you get the tickets, where you park, and what you will do on your shift.

This is an eye opener you don’t want to miss.

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.

Agree
Disagree