Believe it or not, some of my favorite memories of my time in the shop were projects that I had high hopes for and then simply was not able to execute. I have mentioned previously the rocking horse I made many years ago that my wife dubbed a “rocking doggie.”
Another minor fiasco that comes to mind from time to time was my chopstick failure.
It was the middle of December and I was planning to create a custom-made set of chopsticks for every family member. I had a stockpile of highly figured scrap stock, and I could see them in my mind’s eye as the most beautiful chopsticks ever made! My plan was to turn them on the lathe and use them for stocking stuffers. I carefully cut matching blanks from my precious stock, with each pair of blanks perfect. Then I stepped to my lathe and proceeded to break every other blank or so — my lathe skills were just not up to the task. Some bad words were spoken as my carefully curated collection became a mismatched miasma of mourning.
(Years later I bought a Bridge City Tools Chopstick Maker at an auction…so there!)
All this is to say, hang in there holiday gift makers! Just remember that regardless of the outcome, ours is a noble and rewarding effort.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Gift Plan: Rustic Candle Centerpiece
A simple project made from some natural wood scraps, this centerpiece is attractive and simple to make.
Tools, Techniques and Tips for Carving a Spoon
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