The 170th Illinois State Fair was a success for the Woodchucks this August. Members From Sun City’s Woodchucks Charter Club entered their hand-crafted pieces in the competition. Rich Escallier, Judy Escallier, and Ed Cuttle came back with winning ribbons.
Cuttle, who has been a member of Woodchucks for 17 years, not only won a blue ribbon and first place, but also took the honor of “Best in Show in All Crafts.” “Best in Show” includes categories of metal, wood, ceramic, and glass, and Cuttle won for his beautiful segmented vase. The vase was made with white ash, mahogany, wenge, and bloodwood cherry, with six coats of Minwax Tung Oil.
Karen Thacher, president of the Woodchucks said, “The judges could not find any fault in the vase. They looked carefully and found no flaws.”
This gnome by Judy Escallier was another winner. (Photo provided)
Cuttle said, “I started [wood]turning sixteen years ago. I have been the past president of the Woodchucks and am currently on the board of directors. My woodturning technique is the segmentation style of bowl/vase creation. I use only natural domestic and exotic woods and use no stains.”
The vase had 416 segments and 44 pieces, and Cuttle finished it on March 11.
Cuttle said, “I offer various workshops for the members in segmented vessel construction from beginning turning techniques which allows the member to construct a simple bowl, to more advanced designs such as a feature ring, open segment construction and provide training for the maintenance of the shop’s turning tools.”
Richard Escallier won four first-place blue ribbons for his table centerpiece, leather craft, inlay and marquetry, and small antique tools. He also won two second-place ribbons.
Richard said, “I submitted a leather piece I worked on during the pandemic. I have had this piece of leather for a while and decided to make a craftsman’s tool bag, which I use to carry my tools.”
Richard crafted a beautiful serving inlay piece, which took first place.
“I really enjoyed creating the piece,” he said.
Judy Escallier submitted two pieces. Judy took second place for her hand-carved and painted gnome, and she received a third-place ribbon for her handcrafted doll.
The Woodchucks will have pieces on display in the Prairie Lodge in December.
