Category Archives: Musings

My Love-Hate Relationship with Spoon Carving Templates

Posted on December 31, 2017 by

I don’t remember exactly when I began to use templates to lay out my wooden spoons and spatulas, but after I had made my first dozen or so wooden spoons, I hit upon a couple of spoon shapes that just … Continue reading →

Posted in Carving, Musings, Wood and Woodwork, Woodenware | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Folly of “Prepping”

Posted on May 29, 2017 by

What is the best way to preserve a seed?  I first came across this question in a gardening book, and it’s a trick question.  The answer, of course, is to plant it. I have thought about that question a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Kids, Musings, Wood and Woodwork | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

This Isn’t Me Anymore

Posted on April 22, 2017 by

Like a lot of guys, I used to collect weapons.  Well, “collect” is probably too strong a word, but I’ve had various blades hanging on the wall for a long time.  But the time has come to take them down. … Continue reading →

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It Doesn’t Matter What Route You Take, As Long As You Get There, Right?

Posted on October 29, 2016 by

“It doesn’t matter what route you take, as long as you reach your destination.” I see different versions of this sentiment pop up frequently on various forums.  It’s usually offered as a reasonable middle ground when two people are hotly … Continue reading →

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Countdown to Simplicity

Posted on September 11, 2016 by

I like simple tools, and the simpler the better.  One measure of simplicity is the number of discrete parts the tool is made of.  Some relatively simple tools, such as a hand plane or an eggbeater drill, have a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Wood and Woodwork | Tagged , , , , , | 41 Comments

This Is Why We Need Art

Posted on July 18, 2016 by

I was making dinner the other day, and I happened to glance out the window and see three boys walking home from the neighborhood swimming pool.  They were fooling around, as boys are wont to do, and I paid them … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Wood and Woodwork | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Getting It Done: 4 Tips for Marathon Woodworkers

Posted on July 3, 2016 by

Most woodworkers I know fall into one of two categories: the Piddler-Putterer, and the Marathoner.  The Piddler-Putterer starts a lot of projects and tinkers with them from time to time, but he’s in no hurry.  He seldom finishes a project, … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Wood and Woodwork | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is It Okay to Copy?

Posted on January 3, 2016 by

Should artisans avoid copying the work of other artisans?  Is it ethical to use another person’s design in your work, especially if you are selling it? These questions and ones like them come up regularly in the craft world.  For … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Wood and Woodwork | 7 Comments

Beautiful Waste

Posted on December 14, 2015 by

I’ve been making a lot of shavings lately, and when working with hand tools, I find that sometimes the waste products are just as pretty as the finished products.   A chaotic pile of pecan shavings becomes a collage of curly … Continue reading →

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Take a Look at Living Woods

Posted on August 6, 2015 by

There was a time when American and British woodworkers didn’t know much about each other–something to do, I think, with being separated by 3,000 miles of open water and a common language.  But this is the 21st century.  The Digital … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Musings, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments