Share with Others
I have a love hate relationship with Art and Farmers’ Markets. Places that have been putting food on the table and paying rent for our school these past three years. My experience has been [...]
You Don’t Need a Doctorate to Color in the Lines
I have a news flash for you…woodworking ain’t that complicated. It’s a learned craft at which anyone can become accomplished. How many of us have heard the sayings: “Draw a line, Saw the line,” [...]
Don’t Play the Cards, Play the Person…
Scene: Mid-project in a chest-build class. Stage focus, a single bench with a busy student. Commotion all around at other benches just outside the lighted center stage. (Instructor enters from [...]
Hand Tools vs Power Tools for Beginners
Do you start a kid (or kid at heart) down the woodworking rabbit hole via hand tools, power tools or both? The more time I spend teaching woodworking, observing students learning and [...]
New Tool Designs in Woodworking?
Woodworking tool design progresses slowly. While it’s easy to state that today we have some of the best woodworking tools ever, the designs haven’t changed much. I mean, when a manufacturer [...]
ESL Students as Woodworking Role Models
Don’t ya just hate those woodworkers who seemingly pick up and master new skills effortlessly? (A certain Village Carpenter and Heritage Woodworker come to my mind.) This type of person is truly [...]
Letting Down the Next Generation of Woodworkers
I’m a big fan of Mike Rowe, the “Dirty Jobs” guy. I say that having only seen a few episodes of that show. I came to know him from his Ted Talks, online interviews and his address to Congress. I [...]
Woodworking Educator Litmus Test
Litmus tests are a necessary evil in life. In the sciences they are a critical tool; in a social context they’re a justification for exclusion, and a rationale for prejudice. Having said that… [...]