I was raised on a farm in northwest Ohio, outside Toledo in Ottawa county. We still live on our family homestead farm which has been in the family since March 14, 1889. I studied engineering at Ohio State where I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in 1960. I entered the glass tempering machinery business in 1964, spent 25 years at it full time, and now 33 years as a part time consultant to the industry providing training and technical problem solving.
I joined IWCS many years ago, number 3233L, when I learned about the organization from a stop at a craft shop in New Brunswick, Canada. After we went on the IWCS Peru trip organized by Lloyd and Jean Sumner, I was inactive for a number of years as my wife’s health declined. After her death ten years ago, and finding the blessing of a second good woman in my life, Sharon, I’ve been attending meetings whenever our schedule allows.
My woodworking projects have been mainly in the furniture class and too big to bring for display at the
meetings. I have had many family projects, simple bird houses and feeders, baby cradles, rocking horses,
jewelry boxes, sewing machine cabinets, and anything the grandchildren or great grandchildren want help
with.
The projects in our home include two display cabinets for our glass collection, a table that is a reproduction
of a 17th century French design, and the largest project I have and probably will ever build, a 16-foot-long
entertainment center with display shelves and both shelf and drawer storage. I often say; “What comes out of my shop has more to do with my patience and perseverance than my knowledge and skill.”
Keep making sawdust!
-Stan Joehlin