If you haven't heard about Rockler Bench Cookies yet, well, I hate to say "Where have you been?" but... where have you been? Bench Cookies are the hottest new accessory to hit the workshop since - I don't know when!

Bench Cookies are unique hockey-puck-sized non-slip discs that grip and elevate projects, holding them in place -- without clamps -- for safe and easy routing, sanding, finishing and more. Steve Krohmer, Rockler's Vice President of Product Development explains, "They keep your project from slipping; they give you complete access to its edges; they're completely non-marring and require virtually zero set up."

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Last weekend the Rockler Blog Team (actually my ten-year-old-sidekick/daughter and I) attended a blogger party of a most unusual sort - it was a potluck, for junking bloggers, held in the middle of a flea market, with the food served on... junk! And it was a blast!

The party was hosted by Amy Versnik Nowak of Junkologie in her booth at the annual Oronoco Gold Rush Days flea market (in southern Minnesota). Oronoco is no ordinary flea market. People literally come from all over the country to go to this thing, and if you are a junker, Oronoco is the place to be.

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Update: Congratulations to our giveaway winner, Tim Spaulding, who has won his choice of one of the new pen kits! Please be sure to check out Tim's website Maggie Lake Woodworks where he's got some fantastic pieces for sale. Thanks for posting on your blog, Tim, and for being a Buzz Saw reader! (The first ten people who posted also win a small prize! We'll contact you individually for details).

We've just brought in an exciting new line for pen turners — Laser-Cut Inlay Pen Kits! There are certain people who can do this kind of awesomeness (yes, that is a word - Marc Spagnuolo said so today on Twitter!) on their own (Keith from Syzygy comes to mind), but for the majority of us who can't, these unique kits are the answer to making gorgeous inlaid pens. The kits come directly from the original creator so you are assured of top quality. Imagine the oohs and aahs when the holiday or birthday gifts are opened, and your beautiful inlaid turned pen is pulled out of the wrapping paper!

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Internet Retailer, a monthly national business magazine, web site conference, and directory serving the retailing community, has once again recognized Rockler Woodworking and Hardware as one of America's 500 largest e-retailers, based on annual 2008 Internet sales.

Internet Retailer determines its rankings through its own research--which is confirmed by the various retailers--involving company financial, operational, and performance data in 19 key categories.

So hey - if you haven't shopped Rockler online yet, come check us out! www.rockler.com

Our customer review of the week this week is definitely the funkiest use of our hardware that we've seen yet! Willem Volkersz, of Bozeman, Montana writes

I have used Rockler hardware in my mixed media and neon sculptures for many years; they perfectly complement the kind of craftsmanship I strive for in my work. [In the piece shown at right] I am using Rockler nickel plated catches and hinges (as well as black vinyl covered handles) for a sculptural installation that consists of 165 wooden suitcases and the neon figure of a boy.

Now that's just cool.

There are a lot of really cool woodworking blogs out there. Some are inspiring, some are instructive, some funny, and some great combinations of the three. As you know, Buzz Saw has started a blogroll to highlight some of these woodworking bloggers, and maybe get them in front of a larger audience.

Most of the people who do these woodworking blogs are not making a living off them – they're doing it for the love of the craft and the pleasure derived (without trying to be sappy here...) from helping other people. Most of these bloggers have fulltime "day jobs," families, and other responsibilities, but find a way to squeeze in their blogs (or podcasts, or webisodes) anyway.

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Two of us from Rockler (Lin Cable, a veteran junker, and yours truly, a newbie junker) were lucky enough yesterday to have the opportunity to go to Sue Whitney's JunkMarket garage sale — and what a sale it was!

You've never seen anything like a sale that Sue puts on. First, I have to say that I was so awestruck and excited (and yes, there might have been a little hyperventilating going on) that I forgot to take even one picture! (''Thanks,'' you're all thinking. ''Thanks very little.'') I'm filching a couple pics from the JunkMarket blog, though, so you'll get the idea. (Thanks, Sue!)

I can tell you that this was more like a cross between an elaborately-staged magazine photo shoot and a big, fun party than any ''garage sale'' you've ever seen before. There was fun music, breakfast and coffee, and our fabulous host, Sue, flitting through the crowd and talking with everyone!

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It's summertime (at least here in the northern hemisphere), and summer fun is in full swing. Our favorite customer review at Rockler.com this week is this creative interpretation of the Beer Bottle Adirondack Chair Plan! The reviewer, Brad, turns his Cleveland, Ohio yard into a tropical paradise, complete with a giant bottle of Corona! Brad says the chair plans were good, easy to follow, and that he's working on a cup holder. Don't forget the lime, Brad!

Obviously you'd rather be sitting on your deck than working on your deck this summer. But if your deck needs some repair, we've got a few neat tools (one for pulling the old boards, two for laying the new ones) that will make that job easier and quicker, and get you back in that Adirondack chair faster!

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We've got a few more additions to the Buzz Saw Blogroll today - some we think you'll really enjoy.

Syzygy... adventures in woodturning and woodworking by Keith Larrett
Keith's blog has got sections on both woodturning and "flatwork", and reviews, "musings," and even surfing the web for woodworking topics. He shares his woodworking experiments (like ebonizing), his successes and also his failures, reminding the reader to "enjoy the journey". And don't miss his "About" page, where he explains the name of his blog!

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From time to time the Buzz Saw will be showcasing some of the talented woodworkers who work at Rockler Companies. (We have quite a few, as you might guess!)

This week, we'd like to introduce you to Chris Nilluka, who is the Assistant Manager at our Beaverton, Oregon store. When asked for a picture of his favorite woodworking project, Chris replied that it was difficult for him to pick just one. "Not because I think everything I do is amazing," he joked, "but because I have different facets of woodworking that I enjoy." So included here are pictures of Chris' top favorite piece from each genre that he works in: woodturning, box making, and bladesmithing.

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