Woodworking is a joy for all the senses: sawing (smell), sanding and staining (touch), working the grain (sight), even the sounds of tools as they cut, mold, and shape the raw wood. And from the measuring and joinery comes a mental satisfaction of making not just a thing of beauty, but technically proficient, so as to withstand years of use.
What Do I Need To Start? Time was, room – and the lack of it – kept many people from exploring woodworking. And that wasn’t the only issue. There was the noise from power tools, and the sawdust that got into everything. But if you had lots of space for a workshop, you could go hog wild with equipment, from planers to plunge routers, lathes to laser mitre saws. For you, a visit to your local home center would be like a kid entering a candy store.
Bob Stocksdale working on the lathe in his Berkeley Studio, Courtesy of Kay Sekimachi
But just because you can’t manage all that, doesn’t mean you can’t pursue this engaging and involving craft. In the last decades of the 20th century, the Studio Craft movement was born, and two things happened. Philosophically, it advocated the idea that a craft artist, on his or her own, should control an entire object, from concept to completion. And mechanically, tools were made more accessible.
We tend to think of technology as the enemy of the handmade. Fact is, in many ways it has been a valuable friend. Flexible, quality, miniaturized tools have helped make it possible for woodworkers to create smaller objects of beauty and utility, as well as work in uncommon detail. A single, hand-held rotary tool, such as one made by Dremel, now comes with attachments for sanding, drilling, carving, and joinery once requiring several industrial grade machines. Precision mini-lathes and milling tools allow you to turn wood burls into bowls. And these are just the power tools. Hand tools have used technology to become stronger, more ergonomic, and durable.
Of course, if you do have the space, you can advance to full-scale cabinetry, furniture making, and sculpture. And for the truly ambitious, entire rooms – even a house.
Bob Stocksdale, Power Lathe Turned Wood Bowl, 1989, Macassar ebony, Courtesy of the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection, Gift of John and Robyn Horn, 1990.011
Mike Johnson of Maloof Woodworking varnishes a rocker and talks about the process.
Mira Nakashima-Yarnell continues her late father George Nakashima’s traditions in Wood, while exploring her own personal vision - See the Artist’s Bio and Work HERE
We filmed woodworker Sam Maloof for the MEMORY episode. Purchase the DVDs or view the programs online
See objects from Craft in America: Expanding Traditions, a seven-city traveling exhibition that ran from 2007-2009, and other Virtual Exhibitions
Want to make a vessel to store meaningful objects? Download a lesson plan HERE
Important craft artists are featured in the Book. Learn more
Click to see a list of over 4 hours of video available online
