April Vollmer teaches a week-long workshop!

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1) April flew from NYC on Thursday with her backpack, portfolio, and a suitcase FULL of priceless Japanese carving tools.   Materials were scheduled to arrive at Cabrillo Community College from as far away as Japan.   "Just-in-time" deliveries were the rule: everything arrived, but just in time.   2) Here April is carving a woodblock for her class demonstration using a tool made with the same technique employed in the production of Samurai swords: a layer of very hard steel is hammered onto a layer of tough iron to make a strong composite material.   In the photo beveled cuts can be seen on both sides of what will be the raised area which will receive pigment.   3) Some of the material between the beveled cuts is removed using a different tool.   4) April's class was sold out, and the promised 12 students ended up being a baker's dozen.   Edna and I visited one day - it was a beehive of activity.   Her students were VERY enthusiastic.   She earned her money and then some!
5) We had a three-day weekend together before the class started.   We went to the flea market, visited the UCSC arboretum, ate local salmon, drank California wine, and April toured downtown and the beach.   6) The water in the counter in this photo is what April drinks at cocktail time - Edna and I don't touch the stuff.   The pot on the opposite end of the counter is a pressure cooker that I picked up at the flea so that Sara wouldn't need to bring one the next time she visits!   7) April's friend, and former baby sittee, has finished his graduate work at Berkeley and will be teaching Stanford  freshmen! ;-)   He joined us for an enjoyable dinner one night at Stagnaro's.   8) Mark took this picture of us at the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf (pier) with the "Giant Dipper" in the background.