What are you drawing for the future

by Adam

Image courtey of Sri Threads

I received a link to this story in my email the other day from Larry Marshall (@woodnbits).

You know how I’m always talking about the importance of keeping a sketchbook? Well, here’s proof, if you’ve ever needed any, of the value of recording your inspirations.

A very rare group of 19th century sketchbooks were found from a weaver/dyer from Omi, what is now the Shiga Prefecture in Japan. Some of the finest textiles came out of this area. Inside these books are notes, technical drawings, color samples, swatches, and future concepts. Talk about an amazing and valuable reference into the process of design and development.

So, are you still having second thoughts about keeping a sketchbook? Maybe the thought of what the future generations can glean from your ideas will help you get started on it today.

Check out the full story over at Sri Threads.

Huge thanks to Larry for finding and sharing this.

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Does the World Really Need Your Furniture? Pt.2

by Adam

In part one, a series of questions were presented to you that you have probably pondered at one time or another. These questions can really bring you to a point of wondering if anyone cares or even wants you to make your furniture. It’s easy to succumb to the self-doubt and fear that can arise from asking these questions. It can often lead to you wondering if there is any value to you making furniture in the first place.

It can get lonely sometimes with all that wondering going on inside your head. But, I’m here to let you know that getting discouraged is not an option. Instead it’s time to realize exactly what you offer the world through your woodworking.

What if I were to tell you that people really do want you to make your furniture? In fact, what if I said that the entire world needs you to make furniture? How’s that for a sense of purpose!

The World Needs You to be Passionate

If you’re here reading this, then chances are, you are passionate about woodworking. The sound of the hand plane creating delicate shavings is music to your ears. You are always dreaming of the next piece, the next project. You build furniture in your sleep. You have absolute passion for this craft and everything connected to it. In fact, that’s what you’re known for, isn’t it? People cannot think of you without thinking about your unending love of woodworking.

How many people walk around every day without any evident passion? Think of all the folks you come in contact with on a daily basis. How many of them are passionate about something? I mean really passionate. I bet that most aren’t, or if they are, they keep it hidden. They don’t feel as though their passions can be released on the world so they keep it bottled up afraid of people’s reactions to it.

The world needs passionate people living in it. Society needs to see that living with passion is a good thing, regardless of whether other people understand that passion. When you live openly with a passion for something, that spills over into other aspects of life. People see this and take note. It scares some, and it inspires even more. It inspires people to find their passion. It inspires people to live that passion openly.

The World Needs You to Create

Creative people make the world go round. We do! At the heart of every movement, every product, and every big idea is a creative person or group of people who flesh out their creativity and inspiration. When you go to the shop and begin to turn your inspiration into woodworking reality, you’re adding to the creative flow that exists in the world. The lessons you learn and the discoveries you make as you create, add value to your existence and to the existence of everyone around you. We live these lessons and discoveries, and thereby teach them through that living. The very act of creating your pieces, creates lasting value for all to experience through you and your work.

The World Needs You to Succeed

What is your definition of success in your woodworking? I know this can be a topic all by itself, but take a minute and really define this for yourself. What does success look like for you in your furniture making endeavors? Is it earning a living through selling your pieces? Is it having the freedom to express yourself though furniture making? What about having opportunities to share your experiences and inspire others? Each woodworker is going to have a different definition of success because each one will have different reasons for taking up the craft and different goals to achieve within it. Whatever true success looks like for you, the world needs you to achieve that.

When you are working toward your defined success, you become an example of determination, clarity, and dedication. You become what most people wish they were – a person with goals and a very clear purpose. Most individuals walk around wondering what their true purpose in life could be. You, however, have found a purpose in woodworking, and striving for that purpose is part of striving for your success.

Notice, I haven’t said anything about achieving this success. Your goals of success are certainly achievable, but a person can put too much stock in the final achievement rather than on the lessons that come from the journey towards that success. As we move towards our vision of success, the lessons we learn along the way can change that vision, so we change our course. Be open and flexible enough to change course and you’ll find this success coming sooner than later.

The world needs to see that success on your own terms is certainly obtainable and worthy of striving for. Fear, doubt, self-sabotage, and following convention all need to be obliterated by you and your path to success. Show the world that your core values trump all conventional wisdom, and that your definition of success is a most worthy and courageous pursuit.

The World Needs You

When it all seems pointless, when you’re wondering if you and your furniture even matter, remember that the world desperately needs you to work, live, and be your woodworking. Let your core message and values shine through each piece you create and each day as you live with the passion for a most worthy and noble craft. Let your authenticity shine through each plane stroke, and saw cut. Make each finished piece a message about you and your mission. Let the world know that without you and your furniture, it would be a lot worse off.

Have you struggled with this in your woodworking pursuits? If you have, why? If you haven’t, why not?

Let’s talk about it.

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Two Resources to Help You Sketch Your Design Success for 2010

by Adam

One of the things I love about community, is the ability to promote and share the work of others. When there is a resource that I feel can really benefit you, I’ll spread the word. It’s a big world, and we have a lot to learn from everyone. The only way to grow a community is for all involved to thrive.

Here at The Woodworker’s Journey, design is emphasized as part of the foundation to a passionate and fulfilling experience in woodworking. Without good design, you don’t have much of a foundation to build from. I wanted to pass along two resources that will help you with your new designs for this new year.

Design Really Does Matter

The first is George Walker’s new blog, Design Matters. It’s a wonderful exploration of the principles that guide design and often pulls references from history. The blog is an extension of George’s forthcoming design column over at Popular Woodworking due out in February. He’s also working on a series of furniture design DVD’s. (The first two are out now through Lie-Nielsen.)

George, a veteran woodworker for over 25 years, conveys his experience and research through well-thought and expertly crafted posts. No matter your level of experience in furniture design, you will walk away with a new perspective on…well, perspective. Head over there and join the conversation. Tell him Adam sent you!

Every Day Design

The second resource is a new project from friend and fellow furniture maker, Jamon Schlimgen. He’s committed to drawing one piece of furniture everyday, for the entire year. Each day he posts his sketch for all to see at The Drawing Boards, where he includes his inspirations and observations concerning each design.

I want to bring Jamon’s project to your attention because he’s putting in to practice the one key to ultimate design success – action! It’s daily action, even. A lot of you have expressed confusion and fear about learning to draw and sketch your ideas on paper. Well, today is your day! What better way to really cut those new design teeth, than with a 365 project of your own. Seriously.

I challenge you to join Jamon in his daily designing. Spend some time each day simply drawing a quick sketch of a piece that’s been on your mind, or perhaps it’s something that just come to you in a flash of inspiration. The key is to do it. I can hear you now already complaining about the quality of your drawing. Stop it! That’s no excuse and it never will be. These aren’t supposed to be miniature works of art. They’re quick representations of your inspirations. Got it? Good.

Now, the second part. After you draw them, post them on the web. Put it on your blog, link to them in the comments on Jamon’s site, post them on Twitter, or if you don’t have access to any of those, let me know and I’ll see about putting them up here. The point is to make it public! “But, that might open me up to criticism!” Yes, but it also opens you up to valuable feedback and it gets you designing. A pretty fair tradeoff in my book. So, now that we have your excuses out of the way, it’s time to get started.

Step 1: Read these posts from The Woodworker’s Journey and subscribe if you haven’t yet.

Step 2: Go see George Walker to find out why Design Matters.

Step 3: Head over to Jamon’s 365 project to see how it looks, leave a comment, and let him know you’re doing it too.

Step 4: Start drawing and post them to the web.

Step 5: Reap the rewards of a fresh perspective and renewed design inspiration!

Let me know how it’s going, in the comments, will you?

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Does the World Really Need Your Furniture? Pt. 1

by Adam

This topic was producing the longest post in the history of blogging, so I broke it up into a series.

Years ago, I was talked in to displaying and “selling” at a local art show. I thought it would be good chance to show the community that there was some quality woodworking happening around them. I spent several weeks toiling away on smaller items people could buy and carry around with ease. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to buy. I remember having visions of crowds backed up to my booth, and all the other vendors scratching their heads in amazement. I was so sure people would want what I was making because these were fresh designs, complimented by “expert” craftsmanship.

Finally the day came, and I set up my table with all of the beautiful items. I unfolded a couple of chairs for people to sit and talk if they like, and unlocked my money box. I was ready for the tidal wave of art patrons! One by one, people slowly started walking by,pointing and making comments to themselves. A few people grew to a small crowd after a couple of hours. Then, by midday I was immersed in folks standing around asking questions, discussing construction methods, and wood choices. I was thrilled! I talked to so many people that day, that I lost my voice.

The show ended, and I was beat. I had stood there all day talking, greeting, and telling my story to literally thousands of people. I finally sat down, and opened the money box to see how much I had made. Empty. What?!?! Nothing?! No sales? That’s right. No one bought anything. I was devastated. I spent the rest of the day putting everything back in the shop and feeling very worthless. One question kept running through my mind that evening; “Does the world really need my furniture?”

At some point in time, I’m sure this question has run through your mind. You work in your shop, alone, and wonder if what you’re doing really matters. You might ask yourself:

Does it really matter to anyone else but me whether I make furniture or not?

Who wants my work? (other than family being nice)

What good does it do to make things no one sees or cares about?

What good are you doing if your work isn’t being featured in the magazines, isn’t on display in prestigious galleries, or isn’t even being asked for by clients? Is there even a reason for you to keep working? There can be many reasons for giving up in your pursuits of mastering the craft, so why do you keep going?

The way of the craftsman can feel very lonely at times. Especially when there is no one waiting with open arms for your completed work. Before you throw in the proverbial shop towel and sell your tools on Ebay, I just want to tell you that there is hope. People do want what you make, and in fact they might just need it.

In part 2 we’ll look at what the world might be needing from you as a woodworker.

So, did you come up with any answers when you asked yourself those questions? Have you found a reason to keep making your furniture? Is there a bigger picture that you keep in mind while designing and building those precious objects of distinction?

Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Open the eyes of the world to your work by subscribing to The Woodworker’s Journey.

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