Editor’s letter: Finding sanctuary in the shop
For many of us, woodworking allows the chance to change gears, change focus, and quiet the noise.
I switched jobs recently, and with the expanded duties and a little more stress added to my life, my first thought was that I may need to cut down on my shop time. Instead, I found that woodworking began to play a more important role in allowing me to take a break from everything else that was going on. When my kids were younger, shop time was tough to come by, and striking a balance between woodworking and family time was always a challenge. With the house a little quieter now, it’s easier to get out in the shop, and pursuing tasks like writing articles or prepping for teaching have given me even more reasons to be out there.
What got lost in the mix was the reason why getting into the shop was so important in the first place. Not just for me, but for a lot of us pursuing this craft, woodworking allows the chance to change gears and change focus—to slow down a bit, and quiet the noise (or at least replace it temporarily with that of a router or tablesaw, or better yet, the swish of a handplane). While not always enjoyable in the strictest terms, putting our hands to work making things—a notion that has become something of a spectator sport these days— always brings a tremendous sense of satisfaction.
I began reading Fine Woodworking as a furniture-making student in college not only because it afforded me the information I sorely needed in my attempts to gain a foothold in the craft, but also because it spoke to who I aspired to be as a woodworker. Its writers seemed to understand and share my passions in pursuing the craft. It was for the same reason that 24 years ago, while I was working as a graphic designer and starting a family, we moved from California to Connecticut so I could take a job at the magazine. And it’s for the same reason that today I’m still here working to hone my craft and working to make the path a little easier for readers.
During my tenure as art director, and then creative director, my aim has been to help shine a light on the amazingly talented makers in the craft and to share their knowledge in a clear and inspiring way. Now that “editor” has been added to my title, my aim is still the same, and my hope is that my recent reconnection to the important role woodworking can play in our everyday lives will help to guide my efforts.
—Michael Pekovich, editor and creative director
From Fine Woodworking #287
Comments
I've noticed a certain musician's sensibility in your approach to the work you do that reminds me of Stickley's, "The lyfe so short, the craft so long to lerne". For indeed, the craft is so long to learn. One of the reasons is because it involves not just the five physical senses, but that indefinable "Sixth Sense" that comes from somewhere inside that just knows when things are not quite "Right" and pushes us to try to get it better "Next Time". (Or not.) Whether it's proportionality, or tonality, its all a part of our learning process as we go from one piece to the next. Whether its music or woodworking, we all strive to "Do it better". Some come by it 'The hard way" (usually after years of unseen obscurity and practice), and some come by it naturally. Too many, I fear, find their niche and, usually because of the fame and fortune, have it turn into a rut they can't seem to escape. (For woodworking, think of Krenov's "Case on a Stand" and all his disciples' duplication. For music, any of the popular musicians whose music all sounds essentially the same from one song to the next while they're all trying to become just like "Eric Flatpick".) We all have to find our own way, our own "Voice", if you will. It's the sharing our knowledge with one another, that makes it possible for others to more easily "Lerne" new [to them] techniques to further travel down their own path of creative expression.
Mike, great article but I fear it’s time for us to part. Your publisher has, automatically and without warning, taken 99USD directly from my bank account for 1 years membership. This is just off the scale for an on-line only membership, sadly I can no longer afford to follow you so I have to cancel my subscription. Such a shame - Merry Christmas.
I gave up my "unlimited on-line access" for Fine Homebuilding due to the cost increase, and get countless emails begging me to come back. I will have to be satisfied with the physical paper magazine.
If this is what has happened to Fine Woodworking, I'm apauled. I finally got to the point in my life where i can take advantage of the on-line material and am going to be driven off by the cost?
I have the digital archives for both, and can access old issues that way, so I don't need the cost of an on-line subscription for that.
JLC has reached that point, too, but they have quit providing making digital archives.
We all have priorities - and money issues. JLC is losing me. Fine Homebilding has lost my on-line membership and may lose my paper subscription.
I will be extremely unhappy to lose FW - maybe the cost savings of giving up FH and JLC will make it possible to afford, but I'm a senior on limited income, and between inflation and our government and health insurance, it may not be possible.
I guess I can go with Stumpy Nubbs on you-tube....
Mike,
We have met several times at Fine Woodworking Live and I have benefited from your advice on sharpening, and even had a mention on the podcast a few years ago when Matt could not believe how many Shapton Stones I brought out to sharpen my chisels (you were pleased on the podcast). This has been a difficult year for many, and I have also turned to my shop to find a a place where I can lose myself in projects. When I focus in my shop, I am able to have a respite from all the other issues that are present. I am also lucky to have a wife that indulges my tool habits. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate my unlimited subscription, and while I think you guys can get more digital (I am starting to look at CNC and other interesting technologies), I urge you to think forward, but with an eye to craftsmanship. Superior craftmanship is the defining reason why I keep my Fine Woodworking membership.
Mike: and we are glad you did. Thanks and really enjoy your articles. My shop, modest as it is, is my "happy place" and becomes more important as time goes by.
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