Networking

Become an SBWI Member! Only $12/month, and you can attend some of our classes for free!

Benefits:

  • We will offer a minimum of 4 classes per year that are at no cost for SBWI Members

  • SBWI members are also invited to our 12 annual Woodworker Business Courses

  • The opportunity to try woodworking without a large financial commitment

  • Totally legit SBWI decal for your favorite water bottle or even your vehicle

Cost: $12 per month with auto-bill

Villa Barr Art Park is accepting applications for the 2026 Artist in Residencies in Novi, Michigan! Six openings for visual and performing artists. Beautiful public sculpture park with pond and gardens and two private studio spaces. Residency is open to visual and performing artists in any media, and there is a pretty nicely outfitted woodshop.

• Private studio in a scenic, inspiring setting

• Access to welding shop

• Access to woodworking shop

• $500 materials stipend to support your creative vision

📥 Deadline: August 11, 2025. Apply now! https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=15041

For more info, view flyer or visit cityofnovi.org/villabarr or reach out to Jenneva Kayser jkayser@cityofnovi.org

Johnson's Workbench is seeking wood artisans to exhibit in their Wood Expo. There is no charge. Register by July 25 to be included in their EXPO Show Flyer, which is posted on their website and distributed at the show.

Wood Expo (Charlotte, MI) : Fri 9/5 - Sat 9/4/2025

Exhibitor Sign Up Form

Exhibitor Sign Up Contact: Connor Johnson (connor@theworkbench.com) or Rachel Weissenborn (rachel@theworkbench.com)

They are also seeking instructors (demonstrators) to participate in both the Wood Expo and their other ShowCase in South Bend, IN.

Wood Expo (Charlotte, MI): Fri 9/5 - Sat 9/4/2025

ShowCase (South Bend, IN): Fri 9/26 - Sat 9/27/2025

Spots are free. Register by July 25 to be included in their EXPO Show Flyer, which is posted on their website and distributed at the show.

Demonstrator/Instructor Sign Up Form

Demonstrator/Instructor Contact: Jaelyn Patton (jaelyn.patton@theworkbench.com)

Learn more: https://theworkbench.com/expo.php

Troy Historic Village is seaking wood artisans for their Handcrafted: A Traditional Trades and Crafts Fair.

Date: Saturday September 27, 10:00-5:00

Location: 60 W Wattles Rd, Troy, MI 48098

Contact: Alexander Konieczny (akonieczny@thvmail.org)

More info: The goal of the show is to pack the site with people who make things. Unlike most craft shows, the emphasis for this show is the demonstration of handcraft and public interaction, as opposed to selling products. Last year we had cabinetmakers, coopers, carvers, leatherworkers, knitters, weavers, blacksmiths, coppersmiths and more in attendance and it was incredible to see everyone at work. While the focus of the show is not retail, selling products and promoting businesses is allowed, as long as participants are also demonstrating their craft. My hope with this event is that it helps remind visitors to the site what can be accomplished with your hands and appreciate the value of things made by artisans.

The date is September 27. The doors open to the public at 10:00 and close at 5:00. Artisans may choose to do a full day or half day. Half day shifts are 10:00-1:30 or 1:30 to 5:00. Artisans may show up an hour before their chosen timeslot to set up.

There are a few indoor spaces that may be made available, but with limited space, many artisans will be stationed outside on the Village Green. You are welcome to bring a canopy tent for shade, or we can place you in one of our shaded areas. Artisans are expected to bring everything you will need for the day, including a table/workbench, chairs, meals, etc.

Some of the artisans in attendance practice traditional crafts with an entirely historic set of tools and sometimes clothes – that’s very cool but not required! Most artisans occupy the 21st century and their clothes, tools, and techniques reflect that – both are welcome. The emphasis is on craft – not just history. Electricity is available for 21st century craftspeople.

Learn more here: https://www.troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/handcrafted-a-traditional-trades-and-crafts-fair/

 

The Croswell Opera House, Adrian MI

Be part of the magic … volunteer!

Volunteers help the Croswell in many ways. Front of House volunteers serve as door greeters, ticket takers and ushers, and also serve food and drinks in the concession stand. Office volunteers might help with mailings, answer phones or assist with promoting a show — for example, by becoming a Croswell Ambassador and distributing posters to local businesses.

If you’d like to spend time backstage, there are plenty of opportunities there as well! Backstage volunteers help with set construction and scenic painting, in addition to serving as stagehands and doing things like operating the light board.

Learn more: https://croswell.org/volunteers/

HistoriCorps

HistoriCorps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides volunteers of all skill levels with a hands-on experience in preserving historic structures on public lands across America. Volunteers work with HistoriCorps field staff to learn preservation skills and put those skills to work saving historic places that have fallen into disrepair. HistoriCorps works to ensure that America’s cultural and historical resources exist for future generations.

Volunteering with HistoriCorps involves working on historic preservation projects, learning hands-on preservation skills, and contributing to the preservation of historic sites across the country. HistoriCorps provides all necessary resources, including meals, tools, training, and equipment, and volunteers generally sign up for a fixed period, usually a week at a time.

Current Volunteer Opportunities: https://historicorps.org/2025-volunteer-opportunities/

 

The Great Lakes Chapter of the Society of American Furniture Makers meets twice a year at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. Learn more about their organization and events at sapfm.org.

 

Adrian Center for the Arts

Membership & Gallery Store, Adrian MI

The Adrian Center for the Arts is located on the PlaneWave Campus. Adrian Center for the Arts is a flourishing network of artists, offering opportunities to children, students, adults and professional artists to pursue art, a place for self-expression and development of craft, through classes, workshops and artist’s studio spaces. In a peaceful surrounding, the campus vibe is interconnected through a diverse collection of media separated by buildings but not by spirit. The ACA gallery includes a store space where ACA Members can sell their works. The gallery has rotating shows throughout the year, but the store is open year-round. If you are interested in becoming an ACA Supporting Member at $30/year to sell in the gallery and take advantage of other member benefits, contact Valarie Herr at val.herracaexecutivedirector@gmail.com or (517) 759-3005. Please note, there is a 20% commission fee for items sold in the gallery store.

Supporting Member Benefits Include:

  • 10% discount on classes

  • Opportunity to sell art in the ACA's Gallery Store

  • Opportunity to participate in ACA's Holiday Market

  • Member to Member classes