Our Work with The Rivet

Our friends at The Rivet invited DGWW to exhibit and host contests in their "Maker Faire," an exhibition for artists, craftspeople, and hobbyists in the Central Pennsylvania area.  It was held at Axeman Brewery and attracted a very large crowd.  

DGWW offered people a opportunity to use a drill press and some special bits to carve wheels for small wooden toys that we will build and donate to The Jerod Box Project.  DGWW also hosted three competitions, one in speed sawing, one in speed sanding, and one in estimating lengths by pulling out a tape measure while blindfolded.

In addition, DGWW Mentor Glenn Johnson taught people to use a "shaving horse" to make tool handles and DGWW Mentor Doug Laplante taught people about roasting coffee beans.  DGWW Mentor Jan Dillon was one of the primary contributors on The Rivet's team, and was involved in coordinating the event.  This two day event was a great place to meet other artistically active people and was lot of fun for a lot of people.

 The Rivet ran a woodworking camp for middle school girls, during which the campers made Little “LABrary” boxes designed to share science projects and books. Three LABraries have now been installed across Centre County. This one was installed on December 10, 2024, outside the Dollar General in Zion PA. Doing Good with Wood donated the post, helped with the mounting of the box on the post, and volunteered during the installation.

 The Rivet invited Doing Good with Wood  to offer woodturning activities for teens at The Rivet on Saturdays from 10am to noon. We’ve done this many times in the past. Here's a list of dates, followed by lots of photos. 

2023: October 28, November 11, December 19 

2024: January 13, 20, and 27, February 10, 17, and 24, March 2, 16, and 30, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, and May 4, 11, 18, and 25.

DGWW was asked to build several products for use at The Rivet, including:

•  A rolling "Ware Cart" for storing pottery made there in the early stages of the drying process.
• A "Glaze Sample Rack" on which they could display examples of the glaze colors available for pottery products.
• A "Robotics Table" for use by The Discovery Space youth in "First Robotics" competitions.
• A rolling tool and clamp rack.

We were also invited to serve as mentors during a building projects in which teams made cedar planter boxes, and to develop a course on how to make an end table.

During this event, held at “The Rivet,” twenty-seven people came, watched an 11 minute video, and then built their own beautiful wooden kazoos. After about 60 to 90 minutes, each kazoo was assembled, crafted, tested and finished, and a variety of tunes were proudly broadcast across the room, in a fun environment enhanced by complementary beverages provided by Otto’s Pub and Brewery. 

DGWW provided the materials and most of the tools, as well as instructional materials, and the Rivet provided the space, some tools, safety equipment, and a great set of assistants to help with setup, coaching, and cleanup. We believe that all involved had fun, developed a few basic woodworking skills, and saw how woodworking can be an interesting hobby and an opportunity to meet new people.