IT’S not all utilitarian items that the craftsmen at the Wingham Men’s Shed work on. Some of the creations have a decidedly artistic bent.
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Take the whale tail that Kempsey’s Michelle Gibson commissioned earlier this year, to be installed in her Port Macquarie beach house.
Michelle works in the Manning Valley in community health services, so knows the good work Men’s Sheds do. So she went into the Wingham shed on her break one day, and commissioned the sculpture.
The man to take on the challenge was new Wingham Men’s Shed president Jim Brydon.
The wood was supplied by shed member Norm Rudel from Nowendoc, who happened to have a piece of white cedar with just the right fork.
It’s the first time Jim has undertaken a sculpture, and it took him four to six months to finish the piece, while also working on other items concurrently.
The money earned by selling the work to Michelle goes directly to the Men’s Shed, to help with their fundraising efforts – currently they are saving up to buy their own mill worth $5400.
Michelle was so impressed with Jim’s work that she has placed another order.
Although not a carpenter or cabinet maker by trade, Jim can rightly be called an artisan. His boxes are works of art, with veneered inlays that are becoming increasingly more intricate.
He has created 20 boxes thus far, and each one different from the others. The only problem, he says, is that anything he makes he has to make three of, because his two daughters both want one too.
While Michelle commissioned her sculpture, there are also many items for sale in the Med’s Shed that members have been working on.
One very unusual piece (but not for sale) is Bill Freeman’s Punch and Judy stage stand – look out for it at the Christmas Street Carnival!
Visitors are welcome to see what is for sale - there are many hand-made items perfect for Christmas presents. A big seller at Christmas time are the children’s table and chair sets – so popular that last year they sold out.
Also for sale are folding tables, wishing wells, towel racks, trays, boxes, bread boards, coasters, rosewood tables and other furniture, and bird feeders. Orders are also taken (although you’d probably have to wait until after Christmas for a finished result). Timber furniture can also be bought in for repair.
And although the shed is a working shed, Jim says that members do not have to work, they can just turn up for a cuppa and chat, if they wish.
For more information about becoming a member of the Wingham Men’s Shed or to find out more about items for sale, call 6553 0934 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.