What do you Like to Do?
Hobby: Woodworking 101
Besides writing, which I love more than anything, I’ve always loved working with my hands, especially woodworking. I love the feel of the wood in my hands and being able to smell the difference between pine, oak, or cherry.
Most of my woodworking I learned from dad. He was an accomplished carpenter –-I was such a tomboy. As I watched him, I learned at an early age that making something out of wood was something I really wanted to learn.
But I think I was nearly an adult before Dad taught me how to use a scroll saw and band saw. He was so afraid I would cut off something important. (Actually, I think he still remembered when I was thirteen and accidently hit my thumb and forefinger with a hammer and fainted).
One of my favorite projects was a pair of slim bookcases. I needed them to fit each side of a wide window in the small living room where Robert and I lived in Pennsylvania.
At the bottom of each is a cupboard with two shelves. When I’m expecting a visit from grandchildren, I’ll put art supplies inside for the drawings I know they’ll love making and I’ll love framing. Some I also display on our refrigerator door.
Another favorite is a small apothecary chest (photo at the top) I copied from a picture in a magazine. It was difficult and it took me months to finish the doggone thing — (there are many mistakes, but I consider them as my “signature”).
I think I’ve written before about what a nut I am about teddy bears. It’s a little hard to see the details, but on top of the chest is one of my small clay jointed teddies.
The wooden apples and watermelons were cut with my band saw and then painted. Like I said, I love working with my hands, especially with wood.
Thank you for allowing me to share my hobbies!
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Kathleen, I want to thank you most sincerely for all the restacks today on my notes and posts. I appreciate your heartfelt support.
OMG! This was so difficult to read. Every sentence invoked a memory, inspired a story to write, something that interrupted my concentration on YOUR STORY! Forgive me. I love your apothecary chest and its little clay teddy and wooden apples and watermelons. So creative. And you didn't have a pattern/schematic for be cabinet, did you? Or the bookcases. I saw those and thought this kind of problem-solving ability is what makes the mundane house design something unique and livable. Bravo, C.J.