The Art of Woodworking

For some odd reason, I am fascinated with the ability to turn a pile of lumber into a beautiful piece of furniture.

Because of this fascination, I have always wanted to try my hand at woodworking. I have paid for my fair share for furniture in my life, and am throughly shocked at just how little money goes into these pieces, and then how much they are sold for. Why would I pay up to (and possibly over) $1,000 for furniture that is made out of cheap materials and shoddy joints? Especially when I could spend half that and make a gorgeous piece that can be passed down for generations. I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I can tell you this: when my dogs chase each other headfirst into the table I plan to build, it will be them that is hurting afterward and not my table. And trust me, this happens more often than you might think.

Amanda’s father is a woodworker. It always amazes me what he can produce from his little garage-turned-workshop. He’s made everything from cabinets with amazing embossed tin doors to violins. Yes, hand-made violins. His skill is such an inspiration to me, and I hope to someday reach the level of skill that he has and create the same type of beautiful pieces that seem to come so easy to him.

So, I have come to the realization that I can totally handle building (most of) our furniture from now on. If Amanda’s dad can do it, so can I.

Right? Right?!

Positive thoughts and fingers crossed. I can do this.

I feel really good about my decision to build as much of our furniture as possible, especially because last month when Amanda and I did the chair and dining room remodels I not only had an insane sense of accomplishment, but the process of sanding down each piece as I readied it for paint was an extremly cathartic experience. And, if you ask Amanda, I am sure she would agree that I need all the help I can get when it comes to just relaxing and enjoying life.

It is a great feeling to see the pieces that Amanda and I have already finished. Those were just minor touch-ups and reupholsters. I can’t imagine the feeling that I will have once I complete an entire piece from the ground up, and I can’t wait to experience it.

Honestly, I think Amanda suggested I write these next couple of posts just so she can stop hearing about how I can’t wait until I get to build our new (fill in the blank). I have several ideas of what I want to build and how we plan to make it ours, and I’ll be sharing some of my ideas later this week. Stay tuned!

Have you ever attempted to build any furniture?