I have seen passionate woodworkers lose their muse from time to time, and drift off into a kind of woodworking limbo where both inspiration and motivation begin to flag.
This kind of malaise is seldom found among members of groups who share their interests with each other.
As a member of the Hastings Woodworkers Guild, I see - every day - the benefits of belonging to a community of like minded souls. Techniques are shared, efforts are encouraged, successes are acknowledged, ways to improve are suggested.
Moreover there is available in the collective wisdom of the group, answers to problems and different ways of approaching thorny assignments.
Members with expertise often give of their time to demonstrate and teach technique.
Here, John demonstrates how easy it is to cut and re-join bandsaw blades.
These blades are cast offs from the local butcher shop. They are discarded when they no longer are able to cut bone. Interestingly, they are still sharp enough to easily slice through timber, and we get more than 6 months out of a re-sized throw-away blade before it needs replacing.
The re-sizing is necessary to reduce the blade in length to fit our standard 14 inch bandsaws.
Groups like ours often hold "Show and Tell" times where members' work can be displayed.
Most importantly, members are acknowledged, their work valued, and their presence appreciated.
And then, of course, there are the conundrums........................
................. the impossible dovetail ..........................
and ..........
................... the impossible housing joint ................
On top of this, the icing on the cake is the sense of community and belonging that members feel, as well as friendships that grow through contact and shared experiences.
If you ever find your woodworking spirits starting to sag, and your inspiration beginning to shrink - maybe a group like this one, can turn things around.
Happy trails pardners.................
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