We are beginning the third week of the Craftsman and Resident Craftsman Programs at Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking. We had a week of making planes, and shavings. We also began preparing our chisels for the fine work we will do with them in the coming weeks. We discussed and observed the setting hoops and tapping out Japanese chisels and the Krenovian chisel modification.
On Friday after class, Gary Kent hosted an Elephant at the Co Housing. A beautiful evening with a beautiful people.
Craftsman Program students have completed their smoothers and are all making lovely shavings and leaving behind beautiful surfaces. They are in the process of completing their jointer and coopering planes, which we will be using next week when we begin the coopered door for our Wabi Sabi exercise.
This week we have begun the sawhorse exercise, which will be done in eastern hard maple. We will continue on the upward spiral as we revisit facets of our work and learn new ones. We will look again at the use of negative templates used in the selection of material and the straightening of the grain to achieve pleasing grain graphics. We will begin to enjoy the simple and effective use of story sticks. We will practice a sensitive approach to mortise and tenon joinery and introduce yet another wood with different working properties.
The Resident Craftsman program students have completed the selection of material and millwork for their chairs. The curves in the back legs were cut close to the line on the bandsaw and fared square using spokeshaves and planes.
This week they have moved onto the joinery. Vidar’s exercise is done concurrent with the graphics, shaping and joinery exercises in the Craftsman Program. This gives Craftsman program students a preview of just some of the possibilities, which exist in our craft. We are very fortunate to have a fine group of second year student this year. Watching them to continue to develop as craftsmen fills me with a deep sense of gratitude.
“There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them…” – Jim Croce
Last week I learned that a friend, alumni of the school, is unable to continue with the craft for due to health issues. I was reminded of the of the following passage importance in my own life, taken from the forward in a recent edition of A Cabinetmakers Notebook he Forward is written by Craig McArt, he writes:
“I remember back in his tidy little home workshop in Sweden, Jim would worry about how he would manage lifting the heavy planks when he got older, how he could still be useful and respected when he no longer commanded the sharp eye and steady hand he needed for the craft. “Perhaps I could teach.” He would say. “Maybe I could offer some modest advice or encouragement to others who might value this way of working.”
Each of us will at one time face challenges and obstacles in the pursuit of our dreams. Every day I am reminded of how grateful I am to do what I do; and while it may be different path, it is simply an adaptation of an earlier dream.
Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert