23 March 2013

23 Aug 2013 - Hobbyist or Craftsman?

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I still humbled myself and admitted when I hadn't done something like what they were requesting, but I was confident enough with wood that I could tackle new things. Fortunately it worked out. I did a couple projects where I promised the customer that if they didn't like it I wouldn't obligate them to the purchase and only once was I stuck with a project. As it turned out, I was able to sell it for more than I had commissioned it for so... it worked out too. The woodworking craft comes primarily from experience, trial and error and error and error; I still make plenty. Then you learn how to repair error with no loss to the appearance. The craft also comes from education -- there is absolutely no replacement for the hands-on-sawdust-making experience, but what you can learn by reading books and watching videos gives you a jump start. I never cease to be amazed at all the knowledge available on the web and the complete generosity of members of this craft to share their knowledge with very little arrogance. Most know that there is always more to learn.