by Charlie H.

Created on: April 03, 2007   Last Updated: May 23, 2011

Since I consider myself at least a "fair" woodworker, and thoroughly enjoy woodworking, I thought I'd try my hand at letting others know what it means to me; the rewards that come with it; the emotional and spiritual lessons that can come with it, and, of course, the bragging rights that come with it.

When I decide to take on a woodworking project, I follow 10 basic steps:

1. Develop a "mental blueprint"
2. Prepare sketches, material lists, etc.
3. Procure the materials
4. Layout and cut the materials
5. Sand the cut pieces
6. Assemble the pieces
7. Re-sand if needed
8. Wipe down with mineral spirits
9. Apply stain and/or clear finish
10. Apply "final touches".

Because this topic is not about "how" I carry out these steps, but is about what I might get out of carrying them out, I won't go any farther with the 'technicalities'.

Working with wood has always intrigued me. Not only because beautiful things can be created from wood, but because the process of creating those things is beautiful, too!

Besides the beneficial organizational exercises of carrying out a project from concept to completion, there are often more 'spiritual' lessons involved as well. For example, when I'm working with a piece of wood, as I take it through each step of fabrication right down to applying the finish and final touches, I take note of how its beauty exposes itself more with each step in the process. The lesson is obvious: "Sometimes beauty is, indeed, hidden deep inside, and may need to go through some steps to become exposed". And there are so many others, if one pays close attention during the project steps.

Then, of course, when the project is all done, and ready to be "unveiled", the 'tickle-in-the-tummy' starts up in anticipation of the praise and applause that will come when others witness your 'handiwork'. Time for the 'bragging rights'. Enjoy!

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