Santa Clara Valley Carvers

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A composite image showing the logo for the Bay Area Woodworkers Association on the left and a display of wooden furniture on the right. The furniture is arranged in a row on a white cloth runner. In the foreground, a large, light-colored wooden table features a blue ribbon. Next to it is a smaller, dark wood side table. Behind that stands a tall, dark wood cabinet with carved details and brass handles. Further back is a long, light wood bench, and a wooden chest is visible at the far end.

BAWA Woodworking Show at Woodcraft San Carlos, 2026

Written by

Roman Chernikov (SCVC)

in

on

The Bay Area Woodworkers Association recently gathered at Woodcraft in San Carlos to display a wide variety of handcrafted work. The annual woodworking show drew many visitors to enjoy unique items from May 1-3, 2026. The gallery featured functional furniture like Bruce Powell’s Koi Pond table and Jamie Baxton’s cherry bench, alongside artistic turnings by Ed Kaplan and Vic Mitnick.

A display of custom woodworking projects arranged in a row on a white tablecloth. From left to right, the items include: a long rectangular bread board with a dark wood frame and light wood center panels; a small, striped wooden lobster toy with wheels; a medium-sized lidded box featuring a brass latch and a figured wood top; a small keepsake box with a train design and the name "PHILLIP" pyrographed on the lid; and a large, polished wooden bowl or platter with a rich reddish-brown grain. Small white cards identify each project.

Playful touches were added by Laura Rhodes’ wooden toys, while technical precision shone through in Frank Ramsay’s hexagonal table and Claude Godcharles’ segmented vase. From bandsaw boxes to detailed marquetry, each project highlighted the makers’ patience and skill.

A collection of woodworking projects is displayed at an indoor show, featuring a tall, light-wood curio cabinet with glass shelves and a curved top in the foreground. The cabinet door is open, revealing small wooden boxes and turned vessels inside. Behind it, a table draped in a white cloth holds a dark wood box with a slanted lid, along with large bowls and bandsaw boxes. Further back, large slabs of live-edge lumber lean against the wall, and a small, bright blue wooden chair with a floral design sits to the right.
This image captures a display of woodworking projects arranged for a show, set on white protective cloths covering the floor and tables. On the left side, a light-colored wooden side table with curved legs and a lower shelf sits in the foreground, positioned in front of a dark wood chest of drawers with brass hardware. On the right, a long table draped in white cloth showcases smaller projects, including a turned wooden bowl, a box made of reddish figured wood, and a dark wooden box featuring carved detailing. Behind this table, arranged on the floor, is a collection of small wooden stands and stools in varying wood tones, ranging from natural light finishes to dark stains.
A display of handmade woodworking projects lined up on a white drop cloth on the floor at a woodworking show at Woodcraft store in San Carlos, CA. The pieces include a tall, narrow wooden chest of drawers with brass handles; a long, low bench with a modern design and thick, angled legs; a tall, slender side table with thin, tapered legs; and a large wooden tool chest with rope handles, its lid open. Small white cards with descriptions are placed on or near each project.

Thank you to the Bay Area Woodworkers Association (BAWA) for organizing the woodworking show, Woodcraft for the venue, and to all club members who submitted their projects.

Three smiling people (Frank Ramsay, Laura Rhodes, and Jon Kaplan) sit behind a table draped in a light blue cloth with a banner that reads "BAY AREA WOODWORKERS Association." Displayed on the table are various woodworking projects, including a detailed wooden toy race car on a stand to the left, next to an informational sign for a "BAWA Toy Workshop."
Exterior view of the Woodcraft store in San Carlos, CA, hosting the Bay Area Woodworkers Association Woodworking Show in 2026. A large monument sign reads "WOODCRAFT" with the subtext "Books • Tools • Education" and "Lumber • Hardware." A white banner attached to the signpost announces the "Woodworking Show" dates, May 1 to May 3.
Woodworking show at Woodcraft San Carlos, CA, 2026

Left to right: Frank Ramsay, Laura Rhodes (show chair), and Jon Kaplan.

A wooden vase by Claude Godcharles, featuring a bulbous body made of spalted applewood and a tapered neck adorned with a decorative segmented inlay of alternating dark wenge and light holly wood. The vase holds branches of white pussy willows. A white display card in the foreground identifies the piece as entry #44 in the "Small Project" category in the woodworking show.

Claude Godcharles woodturned a segmented vase from the base of a neighbor’s diseased apple tree, working the wood green before it had a chance to dry. As the piece cured, it warped and cracked, resulting in a tilted neck and a bulging base. Claude remounted the vase to level the surface and added a decorative ring of wenge wedges and holly to hide the flaw. He likes the result, and likes even more that a piece that could have been ruined developed such character.

Burt Rosensweig made two bandsaw boxes from a cross-section of a Cedar log that had sat in his shop for over a year. Although it was his first time making a bandsaw box, Burt relied on a lifetime of experience with his 14″ bandsaw and a couple of instructional books. The smaller box emerged from a happy accident when the offcut from the larger box’s drawer interior turned out to be the perfect size.

Two cedar bandsaw boxes designed to resemble cross-sections of a log, featuring a light, creamy outer wood grain that spirals into a dark, reddish-brown center core. A card behind the boxes identifies the artist as Burt Rosensweig.
Two handcrafted wooden bandsaw boxes made of cedar by Burt Rosensweig are displayed on a white surface. A larger box sits on the left and a smaller one on the right. Both boxes have a curved, tubular shape and feature a drawer at the base that is pulled open. The larger box on the left shows a light wood drawer front with a dark wooden pull knob, while the smaller box on the right reveals a contrasting reddish-brown wooden drawer and interior.
Cedar bandsaw boxes by Burt Rosensweig

If you want to make your own bandsaw boxes, our club’s library has a large collection of box-making books, including Making Wood Boxes with a Band Saw by Tom Crabb. We also have many toy-carving, toy-turning, and toy woodworking books available to club members.

Laura Rhodes made three mechanical toys as gifts for her grandchildren. None of the pieces were original designs; instead, she followed plans from David Wakefield’s book, Animated Animal Toys in Wood, discovered during a BAWA charity toy workshop. While the results are charming, getting the mechanical action to operate properly for the waddling duck proved to be the biggest challenge.

A handcrafted wooden toy lobster, identified as a "Loco Lobster," is displayed, showcasing intricate woodworking. The toy features a central body made of reddish-brown wood with a textured, segmented appearance, attached to a dark, fan-shaped tail fin at the rear. Large, curved side pieces resembling lobster claws are constructed from laminated wood with light and dark tones. These side pieces are mounted on wooden axles equipped with small, light-colored wooden wheels, indicating the toy is designed to roll. Small wooden dowels protrude from the front of the body, serving as antennae. The piece highlights the natural grain and contrast of the different wood species used.
Loco lobster toy by Laura Rhodes
A wooden pull-toy turtle featuring a faceted, dark reddish-brown cherry shell layered over a light maple base and legs. The dark walnut head is retracted into the shell. A red-and-white braided rope is attached at the front, ending in a wooden bead. A white display card behind the toy identifies the piece as "Timid Turtle" by Laura Rhodes and notes that it is made of cherry, maple, and walnut.
Timid turtle toy by Laura Rhodes
A wooden pull-toy duck made primarily of reddish-brown cherry wood with lighter maple accents sits on a wooden surface. The duck features a large, flat beak, a hole for an eye, and wooden wheels attached to its body. A blue, yellow, and black braided rope is threaded through a hole in the front of the duck, leading to a small wooden handle resting on the shelf. To the left of the toy, a white information card identifies the piece as the "Dexterous Duck" by Laura Rhodes, noting it is a "Small Project" made of cherry and maple wood.
Dexterous duck by Laura Rhodes

The SCVC library has

I (Roman, a BAWA member) attended the show and was amazed and inspired by the variety and quality of the woodworking projects. I am glad to share those photos in hope that they will help you appreciate the craftsmanship on display.

A rectangular wooden table titled "The Koi Pond" by maker Bruce Powell, featuring a top made of figured quilted cherry veneer. The tabletop is adorned with an intricate inlay of five colorful koi fish—detailed in orange, white, black, and yellow—appearing to swim across the wood grain. An information card placed on the surface identifies the piece. The table has a thick, molded frame and stands on splayed legs.
The Koi Pond table by Bruce Powell
A triangular wooden side table made by Bruce Powell, labeled as a "Wine Glass Table with Hibiscus Flowers." The piece features a warm, reddish-brown finish with an intricate floral inlay of a hibiscus stem and blossoms on the tabletop. It stands on three tapered, curved legs. A sign in the foreground identifies the maker and lists materials, including Hawaiian Koa and Jatoba.
Wine glass table by Bruce Powell
A composite image showcasing woodworking projects featuring intricate floral marquetry. The largest section displays a close-up of a tall, light-colored wood cabinet door with a dark vertical handle; the left side features an inlaid design of blue flowers with green vines. The top right inset shows a full view of a matching sideboard or credenza with dark wood framing, adorned with similar blue floral inlays on its drawers and doors. The bottom-right inset offers a close-up of a drawer front with light figured wood and matching floral marquetry details.
Marquetry door by Tom Gaston
A light-colored maple stool with a rectangular top constructed from two joined slabs featuring a central joinery slot. The stool stands on four straight, square legs attached to an apron beneath the seat. A blue award ribbon labeled "BAWA Wood Show - First Place Chair/Stool" rests on the left side of the top, next to a white card identifying the maker as Thomas Gaston.
Maple stool by Tom Gaston
A light-colored wooden table featuring a geometric, eight-pointed star inlay in the center of the tabletop. The table has distinctive, curved legs that arch outward. A blue ribbon attached to the left side reads "RAVA Wood Show First Place Table/Desk Chest." A small white card in the center identifies the project as "2 x 4 Table," implying it was built from a single 2x4 Douglas Fir piece of wood. The table was constructed by the maker Thomas Gaston.
2×4 table by Tom Gaston
Several handmade wooden plant stands and small tables are displayed on a white cloth at a woodworking show at Woodcraft San Carlos. On the left, a tall, dark-stained stand features a square top and traditional joinery. Next to it is a shorter, medium-toned wooden stand. To the right, a tall, light-colored stand showcases a square top and a distinctive geometric lattice stretcher near the bottom. Small information cards rest on the tops of the furniture pieces.
Tables by Sumit Roy & Tom Gaston
A wooden tool chest with a rich, reddish-brown finish is displayed with its lid propped open. Inside, a sliding tray made of lighter-colored wood is visible. The chest features black metal hinges, a chain mechanism to hold the lid up, and a rope handle attached to the side. A small white information card is attached to the front right corner.
Toolchest by Sumit Roy
Two faceted wooden knife blocks are displayed on a glass shelf. The taller block on the left is made of alternating vertical strips of dark walnut and light maple wood, with a large cleaver attached to the front. To its right sits a shorter, solid dark walnut block of a similar geometric shape. A white card in the foreground identifies the pieces as "Tako Knife Blocks" by Steve Kirchner.
Tako knife blocks by Steve Kirchner
Two side-by-side photographs display a round Shaker-style table made by woodworker Ralph Custodio. The table features a dark wood top with a contrasting light wood inlay strip running across its diameter, supported by four tapered, light-colored legs. A blue ribbon labeled "BAWA Wood Show" lies on the table next to a white card identifying the piece.
Shaker table by Ralph Custodio
Rectangular wooden cutting board by Ralph Custodio featuring a striped design. The board has a large central panel of dark, richly grained wood (walnut) accented by a thin, light-colored strip near the top edge and a wide band of light wood (maple and cherry) across the bottom section. The wood has a smooth matte finish.
The Sunset cutting board by Ralph Custodio
A handcrafted wooden surfboard, styled as a classic Malibu longboard, resting on wooden display stands at the woodworking show organized by Bay Area Woodworkers Association (BAWA). The board features a high-gloss finish and is constructed from laminated strips of wood in varying shades of reddish-brown and golden-brown, creating a striped pattern down the center. The edges are decorated with a cream-colored border featuring black polka dots and a thick, curved red band near the nose. Black lines separate the decorative bands from the wood veneer. Small white information cards are visible on the shelf in front of the board.
Mini Malibu surfboard by Michael Quesenbury
A custom wooden surfboard displayed on wooden stands at the woodworking show at Woodcraft San Carlos. The board is constructed using a strip-building technique, featuring alternating longitudinal stripes of light amber, medium brown, and a central dark wood stripe (likely walnut). The surface is heavily decorated with large inlays of dried flowers and botanical specimens encased in clear epoxy resin. One large floral section is at the tail (left side), where a black leash plug is visible, and another is located further up the deck. A dark, possibly carbon fiber or black wood, transverse band crosses the board near the middle. The maker's signature is visible in the resin near the nose on the right. A blue award ribbon rests on the white cloth in the foreground.
Sereno del Mar surfboard by Michael Quesenbury
A polished wooden bowl with a striking, intricate grain pattern of swirling golden-browns and dark streaks sits on a white tablecloth. To the left lies a blue rosette prize ribbon. A white identification card in the foreground labels the piece as the "Cinnamon Bowl," made from Cinnamon wood by an artist named Mayuresh Visswanathan.
Cinnamon Bowl by Mayuresh Visswanathan
A large, shallow wooden bowl turned from Kamani wood. It features a wide, flat rim and a smooth, concave interior with a high-gloss finish. The wood displays a rich, warm brown tone with prominent, swirling grain patterns across the surface. Mayuresh Visswanathan created the piece.
Kamani bowl turned by Mayuresh Visswanathan
A rectangular wooden box with a light maple frame and darker wood sides. The top of the lid features an intricate marquetry inlay of a red hibiscus flower with a yellow stamen and green leaves. A label identifies the piece as a "Maple Marquetry box" by Lloyd Levy, made of maple and various veneers.
Maple Marquetry box by Lloyd Levy
A turned wooden piece displayed on a glass shelf, identified by a white label as "Turned Piece" by artist Mark Rand. The project is categorized as "Creative Art" and made of "various" woods. The object features a large spherical body crafted from light-colored wood with a visible grain pattern, separated by a thin dark band. It sits atop a turned pedestal base of darker reddish-brown wood and is capped with a matching pointed finial.
Woodturned ornament by Mark Rand
A close-up view of a handcrafted wooden box made from light-colored wood with visible grain. The box features a distinctive vertical inlay, composed of a checkerboard pattern of alternating dark and medium-brown wood squares, designed to resemble a traditional kimono sash or belt.
Kimono belt box by Laurent Coudrelle
A rectangular wooden box featuring a dark wood frame with mitered corners reinforced by light-colored splines. The lid has a contrasting light wood panel displaying a wood inlay of a train with an engine and three cars in varying shades of reddish-brown and dark wood. Below the train, the name "PHILLIP" is inlaid in large, block-style letters.
Phillip’s train box by Laura Rhodes
A small, reddish-brown wooden cabinet, identified by a card as a spice box made by Jeff Thompson. The box features a rich finish and a front door with a glass panel, and a gold tassel hangs from a latch on the side. The piece rests on a molded base with bracket feet. On top, there is a blue award ribbon and a card indicating it won in the "Bookcase/Cabinet" category.
Spice box by Jeff Thompson
A dark wood cabinet with a curved top stands on a white tablecloth, featuring intricate light-colored wood inlay. The inlay creates an arch shape around the cabinet door and forms a four-bladed pinwheel design at the top center of the arch. A small metal latch with a red tassel hangs on the right side of the door. A small white display card in front of the items identifies the cabinet as the "Pinwheel Cabinet" made of Eastern Walnut and Holly by Jeff Thompson.
Pinwheel cabinet by Jeff Thompson
A wooden document case by Jeff Thompson featuring a central cabinet door flanked by three drawers on each side. The reddish-brown wood piece features carved shell motifs (fan carvings) above each drawer and the door, brass bail pulls, and a tassel hanging from the door handle. It stands on bracket feet, and fine dovetail joinery is visible along the top edge.
Document case by Jeff Thompson
The Sheraton Writing Desk is a dark wood secretary cabinet with a slanted fall-front, featuring two drawers with geometric inlay accents and tapered legs connected by stretchers. Inspired by the book "Masterpiece Furniture Making" by Franklin Gottshall.
Sheraton writing desk by Jeff Thompson
A round, three-legged wooden end table features a smooth, medium-brown top with visible grain and dark, curved legs that splay outward. A white card on the table identifies the piece as an "End table" by maker Jon Kaplan.
End table by Jon Kaplan
A wooden "Winged Apricot Bowl" crafted by Vic Mitnick. The piece features a polished, round bowl hollowed out of the center of a larger, irregular wooden slab. Two wing-like extensions flank the bowl, preserving the wood's natural live edge. The grain is prominent, showing swirling reddish-brown patterns throughout the piece.
Winged apricot bowl by Vic Mitnick
A turned wooden bowl made of curly red maple by Vic Mitnick. The bowl features a light tan, honey-colored wood with distinct, wavy grain patterns (figure) running horizontally across the interior and exterior. It has a smooth, rounded rim and a shallow, open shape with a satin finish.
Curly maple bowl by Vic Mitnick
A light-colored, hand-turned wooden bowl from Norfolk Island Pine by maker Vic Mitnick, identified by a nearby placard as a "Hawaiian-style Calabash Bowl." The bowl features a rounded, bulbous body that tapers slightly toward a wide, flared rim. The exterior surface and the hollow interior clearly display the natural, concentric growth rings of the wood.
Calabash bowl by Vic Mitnick
A rectangular wooden box featuring a lid made of light-colored birdseye maple with a distinctive swirling grain pattern, framed by a darker wood. The sides of the box are a medium reddish-brown wood with visible finger joints at the corners. A small brass latch is mounted on the front, and the box sits on a slightly recessed base.
Maple box by John Wilson
A minimalist cherry wood bench with a flat rectangular top and distinctive legs that curve outward and sweep down to the floor. The bench is displayed on a white drop cloth, with a small card on its surface: a project label identifying the piece as a "Bench" by Jamie Baxton.
Cherry bench by Jamie Baxton
A polished, reddish-brown wooden bowl or platter sitting on a glass shelf. The wood, identified by a nearby label as mahogany, has a smooth finish with visible grain patterns. A white card next to the object identifies it as a "Figured Wood Fruit Bowl" turned by Karsten Palmer.
Fruit bowl by Karsten Palmer
A modern armchair with a high-contrast design stands centrally, featuring a heavy, angular frame made of light-colored wood for the legs and armrests. The seat and tall rectangular backrest are crafted from dark wood and inspired by J. Rusten's Palo Alto Chair. A blue ribbon lies on the dark wooden seat, indicating an award.
Chair by Kai Fisch
A wooden bookend designed in an Art Deco style by maker Frank Ramsay. The piece features a long, curved base supporting a central vertical divider. On either side of the divider, fan-shaped wings are constructed from alternating radial wedges of light and dark woods, creating a textured, multi-toned aesthetic. Informational cards next to the object identify it as "Art Deco Inspired Bookends" made from various woods.
Bookends by Frank Ramsay
A pair of Art Deco-inspired wooden bookends displayed on a glass shelf at a woodworking show organized by the Bay Area Woodworking Association (BAWA). The bookends feature a light-colored wood frame with a decorative, semi-circular fan design on the side made of alternating segments of dark and reddish-brown wood. A white card in the foreground identifies the project as number 28, "Art Deco Inspired Bookends" by Frank Ramsay, made from various woods.
Bookends by Frank Ramsay
A hexagonal side table crafted by Frank Ramsay is displayed at a woodworking show at Woodcraft store in San Carlos, CA. The table features a light-colored, figured wood top (hard maple) bordered by a dark Indian Rosewood inlay. At the top center is a dark wood hexagon with a geometric starburst inlay. The table's base and legs are made of reddish-brown mahogany, with an apron featuring geometric fretwork or lattice cutouts. A blue ribbon pinned to the tabletop reads "BAWA Wood Show, First Place, Overall, Advanced." Small white cards identify the piece as a "Chinese-inspired hexagonal table."
Hexagonal table by Frank Ramsay
Two views of a framed woodworking art piece by Frank Ramsay. The artwork features a dark reddish-brown, leaf-shaped piece of wood mounted vertically on a light-colored, figured wood panel. The left image shows the full piece in its medium-brown frame with a maker's label at the top. The right image provides a close-up view, emphasizing the texture and grain of the dark wooden leaf against the wavy grain of the background wood.
Creative art by Frank Ramsay
A light-colored wooden Art Deco-style table, made of oak and walnut, featuring contrasting dark wood elements. The rectangular tabletop has three parallel dark stripes running lengthwise near the edge. The table stands on sturdy, tapered legs with sculpted, curved cutouts near the apron and vertical dark wood accents. A lower shelf or stretcher made of darker wood connects the legs. The table is displayed on a white cloth with a blue award ribbon, an identification card labeled "Dave Stone" resting on top.
Art Deco table by Dave Stone
A rectangular wooden box crafted from dark Zircote wood, featuring a high-gloss finish that reflects the light. The wood has distinctive, wavy grain patterns running horizontally across the lid and sides in shades of deep brown. The lid and base are separated by a subtle, undulating curve that creates a gentle wave effect along the edges. A blue prize ribbon is partially visible on the left side.
Zircote box by Ed Kaplan
A rectangular wooden lidded box made of highly figured Amboyna burl displayed at the BAWA woodworking show in 2026. The wood features a rich, reddish-brown hue with complex swirling grain and small "eyes" throughout. There are patches of lighter, pale yellow wood on the top surface and a small wooden latch centered on the front edge of the lid.
Amboyna burl box by Ed Kaplan
A close-up, high-angle shot of a polished wooden bowl made from Amboyna burl on display at the BAWA woodworking show. The wood features a rich, reddish-brown hue with a complex, swirling grain pattern filled with small eyes and knots. The bowl is wide and shallow with a thick, rounded rim and a high-gloss finish that reflects the overhead lighting. Ed Kaplan created this piece.
Amboyna burl bowl by Ed Kaplan

You might also notice that the woodworking show included several turned projects, reflecting that some BAWA members are active turners who often belong to one or both local woodturning clubs: West Bay Woodturners (WBW) in Los Altos and Silicon Valley Woodturners (SVW) in Sunnyvale. If you are looking to pick up woodturning, visit those clubs as a guest to learn more and meet local woodturners.

A long table draped in a white cloth displays a variety of handcrafted woodworking projects at a show. On the left, a cluster of wooden stands and small tables includes a tall, dark-wood stand with geometric detailing and a lighter-wood side table. In the center, a dark wood mantle clock featuring light wood inlay and a brass handle sits next to a rectangular box with a mottled, reddish-brown finish. To the right, a large, light-colored wooden bowl is displayed near a striped wooden board in the foreground. White tent cards with project descriptions are placed in front of the items.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the show and the craftsmanship of the pieces in the comments below. To learn more about the local woodworking club, visit the BAWA website. We look forward to seeing you all at the next show next year.

You may also be interested in other shows and workshops:

A collage of three items: Tri-Valley Carvers Carousel, a carved "Welcome to our Home!" sign, and the logo of Tri-Valley Carvers.
Tri-Valley Woodcarving Show, every September in Pleasanton, CA
Toy train with passengers at Maker Faire at Mare Island, Vallejo, CA
Woodcarving at Maker Faire Bay Area, 2025
A dozen handmade name badges. Most are carved from basswood by SCVC members.
Carving a name tag workshop
Oakhurst Woodcarving Rendezvous, 2025
Oakhurst Woodcarving Rendezvous, 2025

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