Weekly Editorial
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What is Woodworking?
Have you ever stopped to consider the scope of what a person could mean when they say simply, “I am a woodworker”? Back in the day, when almost everything was made from wood, we had names for the people who made products in a variety of categories: cooper, wheelwright, luthier, bodger, woodcarver, patternmaker, carpenter (who seemed to build anything and everything), and there were many more.
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Gramps Comes Through!
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was on a mission to get my very first project done for my, at that point in time, soon-to-be-born grandchild. The project was a youth-sized dresser with some Art Deco design accents.
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Find Me in the Shop
Football season is (mercifully, for Vikings fans like yours truly) over for the year. Hunting season is likewise on hiatus. And while, in my neck of the woods, you can still fish right now, it means standing on top of the water and drilling holes — which is just not for me.
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Keep it Moving!
As you click through the pages of the eZine this time out, you may notice a theme of sorts. Wooden bicycles and carved motorcycles — transportation hits the woodshop. For me, transportation in the shop has a more plebeian orientation: I put everything I can in my shop on wheels.
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Starting Them With Style
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my impending grandparenthood. The day draws ever closer, and I have decided upon the first woodworking project to embark upon for the progeny of my progeny: I am building her a dresser.
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Sharing in Something Substantial
I’ve been fortunate in my professional life to have worked on some pretty cool things. My name is attached to “how-to” books that helped improve people’s homes and gardens. Woodworker’s Journal has won many awards while I have been on the masthead and I was an instrumental partner in developing this eZine – which was a successful and groundbreaking effort in so many ways. But this last summer and fall I was involved in creating a series of woodworking DVDs that I am exceptionally proud of.
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Building for the Future
Life has been compared to a series of seasons, with change, ironically, being the most significant constant. My personal experience agrees with this metaphor — with some seasons being richer than others. This winter I will enter into a new phase, that I am thinking will be a game changer.
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It’s Gut Check Time!
As I emerged from my tryptophan-induced coma — approximately last Saturday (yes, Turkey Day was an epic gastronomic success at the Johnstone home) — my woodworking energies were suddenly supercharged by a glance at the calendar. Did you know that Thanksgiving is only a month away from Christmas?
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Your Opinion Counts
As is obvious, the tie that binds the eZine faithful together is woodworking. Cutting boards apart and sticking them together: it’s the essence of woodworking. When you cut them apart, it’s highly likely that you’d be using a table saw … and that you’d have an opinion about such a tool.
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The Gift of Gift Ideas
As usual, when I ask a question, you all are more than happy to provide the answer. In this case, many answers. Last time out, I was at a loss for holiday project ideas. I am no longer in that land of limbo — as you will see if you click over to the Feedback section of the eZine, your creativity and generosity was in high gear.
