American Corner Cupboard #1: Introduction

I’m just a hobbyist, but I’m getting’ better. I don’t have all that much time to devote, and I’m notoriously slow at everything I do. Especially, I’m a slow learner. And I don’t own every tool (e.g., no jointer, no bandsaw, no lathe). Plus, I have limited financial resources. I’ve been at it for 20+ years, but I’ve done only a few pieces – mainly very simple, rectilinear pieces. Slowly. VERY slowly. Of course, the down side is that I don’t get very much practice, so everything takes longer and turns out more amateur; but it’s what I do.

I DO have a sort of process. And my work does progress (even if it is only an inch at a time).

Here at LumberJocks, I mostly lurk about the Forums. Occasionally, I’ll ask a question, or even respond to a post. But seldom. There are real experts here. I don’t want to appear foolish or, worse yet, mislead someone. Since I have been around for a while and I’ve learned so much here, I sometimes feel a little guilty for not “contributing”. So, I thought that maybe I could offer what I do have – the perspective of an amateur.

That is, I don’t really know what I’m doing – but I AM doing it. I suspect that many (if not most) members are like me. Not exactly clueless, just inexperienced and lacking resources. So what? I can still have fun and build something worth having. And if I can do it, anyone can.

So I thought I’d journal an upcoming project I’ve finally decided to commit to – an American Corner Cupboard. I’ll write about how I actually do it – even if it is stupid. I’m sure that many will be able to identify with my experience. Hopefully, an occasional expert will offer a better, cheaper, easier, smarter way to do what I do badly.

The timeline is long. Completion date should be Christmas, 2014.

I’ll blog once a month, or so. By the time the project is done, this should be a pretty complete chronicle of a fairly complex (for me) project; a reach, but achievable. I expect the result will be presentable. Not innovative or artful or unique, or even great. Just good work that I hope to be proud to have completed. And, if I can do it . . .

This blog / journal will focus on the process, within the context of the project. I believe everyone has their own preferences, so there may be very few who are particularly interested in building an American Corner Cupboard. But I’ll try to keep focus on the process that I’m following, which ought to be more generally useful.

Let me know if this sounds like a useful undertaking. Also, please feel free to tell me if there is some particular aspect you’d like to hear about.

Next month: Inspiration.

-- Jim Maher, Illinois