Theres good news for anyone who feels they don’t match up to “elite” status as a woodworker.
The song “Louie Louie” has three chords and is more recognisable than most acclaimed symphonies!
We shouldn’t confuse expertise in precision with the pinnacle of success. I could spend four months on a kick ass table, seeking out praise from my peers. I just probably couldn’t sell it for enough to be “successful”.
Woodworking, like life, is about tradeoffs and applied good judgement.
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""






















19 comments so far
jockmike2
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7299 posts in 1140 days
posted 722 days ago
I must agree Miles. mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Harold
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312 posts in 740 days
posted 722 days ago
Hows that saying go,”I do what I have to do, so that sometimes I can do what I want to do”
-- If knowledge is not shared, it is forgotten.
bryano
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546 posts in 826 days
posted 722 days ago
Good quote Harold.
-- bryano
cajunpen
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5968 posts in 959 days
posted 722 days ago
Yes, what you said Harold. I agree with you too Miles.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Douglas Bordner
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3421 posts in 957 days
posted 722 days ago
Yup.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
MsDebbieP
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14156 posts in 1054 days
posted 722 days ago
if we spend our time wishing that we were something else, we’d miss the best part of life—living it.
Enjoy the successes (whatever they might be); be proud of overcoming obstacles (regardless of how pretty the outcome is); pay attention to each of the little steps (and before you know it, you will be looking back and saying “wow, look at how far I’ve come”)
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Betsy
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2386 posts in 789 days
posted 721 days ago
I agree.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
Russel
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2056 posts in 832 days
posted 721 days ago
I hate good judgement. It gets in the way of the stuff I really want to do. But, Miles, you make a good point.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
DAN
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6438 posts in 876 days
posted 721 days ago
well said Mike
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
mrtrim
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1698 posts in 773 days
posted 721 days ago
im with russel, good judgements has been a pain in my personalitys butt most of my life , on second thought since i was about 45 !!
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 855 days
posted 721 days ago
I don’t have a good definition of elite so I will just agree with you, Miles. Charles Loloma, one of the greatest Hopi silver and turquoise smiths who ever lived was asked by a stranger what he did. Charles answered, ” I grow corn.” A friend wanted to know why he said such a thing considering how famous he was as an artist. Charles replied,”Hopi men grow corn.” I don’t know about elite but I think Charles was a lesson in humility.
-- Thos. Angle
Karson
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25792 posts in 1293 days
posted 721 days ago
I don’t consider myself “elite”, I just find myself blessed to be able to do what I’m able to do. I may please someone with what i do and I feel good for them that I’m able to bless them.
I like to hear praise, but I do what I want without worrying about that. I haven’t tried to sell anything in many years.
But tonight I got a phone call from the sawmill owner wanting to know if I’d be interested is starting a little business making items to sell he said he had the contacts to get them out.
I’m not sure!
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Dorje
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1767 posts in 890 days
posted 721 days ago
email Karson@elitewoodworks.com?
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
Karson
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25792 posts in 1293 days
posted 721 days ago
Thanks Dorje. But that doesn’t help making any decision.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
jockmike2
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7299 posts in 1140 days
posted 721 days ago
You gotta ask youself Karson, do I want to make my hobby my work? I’m the same way, I have not sold anything I’ve made since I hurt my back in 03. I’ve had plenty of chances too. But I’ve given a lot of stuff away, much to my wifes dismay. I had a buddy that I used to work and fish with, he quit his job and got his charter captains license. It lasted two years and he sold all his tackle and boat and has’nt been fishing since. He loved fishing as much as I do, and I love it, just can’t stand the rocking boat anymore due to my back. Get my point. mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
MsDebbieP
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14156 posts in 1054 days
posted 720 days ago
how MUCH is a “little” business.? something on the side? or is it taking over?
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Karson
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25792 posts in 1293 days
posted 720 days ago
Using his lumber, me cutting and probably designing the furniture creating an accurate cut list and then cutting the parts. His people will assemble the parts and then finish them.
So I guess I’d be the designer and cutter.
I sure don’t want an every day business. Or I’d have to hire a cutter.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Napaman
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3482 posts in 970 days
posted 720 days ago
lol
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
MsDebbieP
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14156 posts in 1054 days
posted 713 days ago
I noticed “will” in the last comment… sounds like you have made your decision?
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)