In the Beginning…
So I am writing a blog. Every English teacher I ever had that has passed is turning over in their grave. The ones still breathing are clinching their chest like Fred Sanford exclaiming “I’m coming Elizabeth!” Don’t get me wrong I can spin a pretty good yarn but growing up anything that mainly required a textbook for comprehension was, should we say, not comprehended with enthusiasm! Hands-on is the way I absorbed most of my knowledge. Even in my first-year Spanish class, it was my creation of different things “Spanish” that got me a passing grade. When in college I took a physics class called “Physics of Light and Color.” I never cracked the textbook and aced the class thanks to many hours of mixing ink for my father’s printing presses based on the CMYK color profiles to create solid spot colors. I was using my hands which seem to have a direct and very intimate relationship with my brain. Frankly, I like it!
So the purpose of this work of a “historical set of essays” comes from several angles. Growing up I was told stories by different family members about family I never knew, such as my grandfathers. Then there was the family that told of their experiences and there is no written or recorded history to share down the line. Many of those will end with me. I sit here in an age where what I do today can be shared with the future easier than ever before. I guess I have hit the age where giving back and sharing starts to mean more than who I know or who I made something for, things that truly never drove me in the first place. There was a time as a photographer when those things mattered and opened some eyes… but now those eyes mean nothing and frankly never did. So to the future family and those that find me interesting or better yet amusing you are part of the purpose of this blog.
The second is giving back. I just saw today that another woodworker had built a base for a table much like the one I made in 2023 with the curved, steam-bent legs. Part of me was like hey, you stole my idea… or was it my idea? All my life I have looked at all kinds of publications for inspiration. Been in and out of furniture stores. Going to historical places and looking at what was made. Even pieces preceding family made to steer me into coming up with “my idea” for a piece of furniture. I truly believe that everything is inspired by those that precede us. As a creative, we just take those concepts and put our spin on them. So when I saw that post I was flattered that I was being “copied” and deep down touched I had inspired them to copy my work
I intend to share something from my past, present, and future in each blog post. Now keep in mind it will not be your nightly ritual to read my blog as I intend to post about once a month as I don’t want to over-commit and let you down! LOL. Honestly, I need to keep making with my hands as long as the Lord allows in recognition of his gift bestowed upon me. Be sure and join my mailing list for notifications and updates about the blog and specials. Know I will never sell your email address or other information. Also like my FaceBook page as I will share new blog links there as well.
Other than that, thank you for your interest in what I am doing. Hopefully, you will be inspired to reach in and find that creativity that resides in you, regardless of the medium.
