grounded and connected

I've uncovered two needs as I've journeyed into this woodworking career.

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First, to become grounded in reality.  This means hands on woodworking.  Not dreaming about it, or saving pictures, or wishing to do it.  Just doing it.

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At the same time, as I move into the reality of learning skills, making furniture, acquiring tools, attending workshops, meeting timber framers...another need surfaces.  It's the need to stay connected to my original vision.  What was the initial attraction to this journey?  What is the vision?

made a mano

Suddenly my folders of inspiration pictures become a valuable resource.  I can come back to them and see what was my attraction.

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 Because as I move into the real world, many of my teachers have another vision that drives them.  And I will learn from these people.  But ultimately I will return to my vision and create that which gives me joy.

made a mano

So my pinterest account, my tumblr page, these weren't a complete waste of time.  It is a connection to my dream.

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I want to be grounded in my current woodworking practice.  And I want to stay connected to the dream that brought me here in the beginning.

Photo by Brian Ferry

Small cozy hand made homes.  Simple furniture with visible joinery.  Elements of a simple and satisfying life, both for the maker, and the owner.

Klaus Lictenegger

japanese chisels

I'm researching Japanese tools in preparation for some purchases for my course this fall.  I came across these very high end chisels on japanesetools.com.

Look at the pattern on these chisels!

Is this even real?  It looks like some kind of silk!

And as the chisel is sharpened, the grain of the metal (I never knew there was such a thing) is revealed.

toy box bench--done and delivered!

Today I delivered the finished toy bench to the friends who asked me to make it.  It was really exciting to see their reactions to it.

Here are a couple of more pictures:

Special supports hold the lid open if you lift it.  This is a necessity for a child's toy box.  The first hardware I installed was not strong enough to hold up the lid, so I got two stronger ones and they did the job perfectly.

Each board was sanded and its edges rounded with rasp, plane, or sandpaper prior to assembly.  It's important to me that the wood is smooth to the touch.

There were several mistakes along the way that I had to go back and fix, but I carefully fixed each one, taking my time.  It's incredibly satisfying to know that I'm giving them a quality product that will last.  I am hoping that it grows along with its baby owner, meeting different needs during each stage of her life.