Observations #13: Non-Woodworkers

I have conversations like that with my wife all the time… the other night we were discussing table designs (in the future I’d like to make us a dining room table), and I showed her a picture of a table that had breadboard ends. She said she didn’t like the way they looked, and when I started trying to explain that they serve an important purpose her eyes glazed over before the first sentence was out of my mouth…

Needless to say, the table I build will NOT have breadboard ends…

-- The difference between being defeated and admitting defeat is what makes all the difference in the world - Upton Sinclair, "The Jungle"

LOL

-- BLOG - http://www.colorfulcanary.com/search/label/Zuki

Ok…............ so us women tend to be on the more visual side of the project, instead of the technical part. I have to admit, even though I can build some things, when asked why I made my vanity the way that I did…............I said beause I thought it was pretty, and I got laughed at…........see they didn’t realize I designed it and built it…..............I did the technical stuff in my mind and on paper, but vocally I tend to be a woman, I say it as I see it, and build it like I want it…..............................BECAUSE IT’S PRETTY.

AKA…....................Woodchic

-- Robin Renee'

Most of my builds are for looks, and I’m a guy! LOL

-- Carpenter assembles with hands, Designer builds with brains, Artist creates with heart!

I hear you. I pulled curly cherry the other night for a mirror that my wife “commissioned”. It had some of the nicest curl that I have had the chance to work with. I showed the wood to her after wiping it down with mineral spirits to highlight the grain and all I got was, “That is nice”. To tell the truth I don’t think she had a clue what I was talking about when I mentioned the curl.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

My wife is the same way

-- www.carvingandturningsbyrick.com, Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

I think that is why LJs is so addicting. Complete waste of breath for me to try to explain what I do to those I spend the most time with. I work as a computer systems analyst and I gave up trying to explain my job and my day to everyone. So what do I do? I pick up a hobby so that I have another thing I can’t talk about :)

Thanks for the observation,

David

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

Does your wife have my wife’s cell #?? ;0)

-- jack -- ...measure once, curse twice!

So, did you build her a pretty one ?

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

My wife usually says: “What year?”

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

Ya gotta love ‘em!! We were talking about a neighbor who was less than likable one time. Carleen made the following comment, ” I never knew what white trash meant until I met you.” I can only hope she was referring to the term.

-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon

My wife keeps giving me a hard time. Now when we are out driveing she catches herself looking at trees and wondering what kind of grain it would have.haha

I think I got her hooked.

Scrappy

-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!

I agree with Robin—being in the unique position of being women and woodworkers, i think we can both totally relate to calling something ‘pretty’, but we also understand why we get laughed at for it. But guys—you must admit, the bottom line is, we all (male or female) are drawn to something primarily because we find it pretty. It’s just a succinct way of putting it!!

-- 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in idiots'--Jeremy Taylor

great story
now my question is – why do you love the new wood? Oh—because it is pretty!! I get it :D

And why is the new stool requested.. hmm maybe because the first stool was with “plain” wood and this wood is .hmmm pretty.

yup.. pretty clear to me
hahaha
gotta love it :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

In defense of the Mrs. the stool she was pointing to was one of my first, made from Home Depot pine with wood putty filling in the screw holes. Certainly not my best. But the implication that I should make something “pretty” for a change was just too funny to pass up.

She has been nothing but supportive, but sometimes her phrasing is entertaining. This is not the first time she’s made me laugh out loud. When I started moving away from making traditional furniture she told me, “I really trying hard to like your stuff.”

Needless to say, it’s always an adventure getting her reaction.

-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com