It's begining to look a lot like Christmas...

The weather outside is frightful.  Vermont ice and snow on a November morn.  But inside my shop is nice and toasty, thanks to my new heater.  The toys and games are starting to fly out of the shop now.  Lots of new products to be thankful for, and many new friends too.  Thanks to all who have stopped by at the Rutland County Farmers Market.  We are still going though.  We have moved inside the College of St. Joseph's Athletic Building keeping us nice and warm, (and you too!).  Hope to see you there, Saturdays now through Christmas 10 - 2.

See one, Do one, Teach one.

As Norm Abrams from "This Old House" has said,  In order to be good at something you must see one done, do one yourself, then teach someone else to do one.  So far I have seen many done, I have done many myself, and today I will begin to teach.  I have a student starting today, from the Vermont Jobs program.  He is coming to learn what I can teach him about woodworking.  And hopefully I will learn through teaching him as well.

Time will tell

Like Robert Frost wrote about two diverging roads in a wood.  I too am choosing my path.  Sometimes the path of least resistance, but my path none the less.  Making things up as I go along, is quite a bit harder than it seemed from the outside. And i'm finding to be truly unique in a craft that is thousands of years old is daunting, to be salable seems to be just as daunting. For you can be truly unique and not sell anything, and you can be cookie cutter and make a million.  Where is the balance?  What is the order?

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Green Car

The toddler psyche is fairly simple to dissect.  Bright colors, simple shapes, and things that move.  When I try to come up with designs, I try to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).  But adults are much harder to figure out.  What moves that adult brain is clouded by years of wants, likes, dislikes, can's, can'ts, and so much more.  Is it utilitarian, like a cutting board of sturdy Maple, or is it nostalgic, like a a toy car or truck from their past.  Wood products are warm, inviting things that evoke memories of simpler times, feelings of community, and a sense of history.  But each memory, feeling, and sense is different for everyone.  One thing is certain we all want better for our kids.  Quality Counts!   Products found on www.therutlandwoodworks.com

Cherry and Ash cutting board

The Debut

I am what I am, and I am a man of a craft.  I am new, and taking my first tentative steps.  But I am moving, I am growing, and I am evolving.  My journey is not a simple one, nor is it truly frought with peril.  My journey is one of discovering myself within my craft.  Please come along on my journey.  I will let you into my shop.  Pull up a stool.  You will see where I lay the wood bare, where I measure, where I cut, where I glue, and where create.  Simple at first, then more complex.  I am a woodworker.  I am a man of his craft.