Too Good-Not Good Enough
When folks first began to pay me to build furniture for them some 40+ years ago, much of it was a lot better than our own. I always had a “real job” because we needed to eat and pay the rent. Woodworking was just a hobby back then. The deal I made with Sweet Janice still stands today and I’d like to share it with you in the hope that it might be a solution for some situations some of you might be facing.
Since the material was always less than half the final cost, I would have enough cash to build at least two items i.e. two kitchen tables, book cases, curio cabinets, entertainment centers, etc. If Sweet Janice wanted one for us I would build two and we would keep one for our own home. If not I got to take the left-over cash and invest it in tools I needed to be able to build more stuff! Either way we both won. For many years all major tool purchases were funded 100% from workshop revenue.
Over the years we have come to categorize things we make, more so with turned items nowadays. Some are not good enough to give away or sell or even let anyone else see (Not Good Enough). Some items are worthy of either selling or presenting as gifts (Good Enough) and some are so special that we add them to our own collection (Too Good). I always grant Sweet Janice first right of refusal if I’m just making one of something no matter what it is. She can “claim it” for her own or I have her blessing to sell it or give it away as I see fit. I’m telling you this because turning is a family hobby even if you are the only one at the lathe. Your family is very proud of what you do even if they don’t always say it. Don’t be like the cobbler whose children have no shoes.
If something is really special, find a place to display it and treasure it as a family heirloom. But! Be aware that not everything you make is that special. Somethings that might have been in that category will be displaced over time as your skills improve and you actually become an expert at certain things. Don’t hold onto everything and don’t expect that something you might have been pretty happy with when you first started will still shine as brightly in several years as your turning skills mature.
Above all don’t take this hobby too seriously. It is just a hobby. It provides countless hours of entertainment, exercise, and is a terrifically creative outlet, but still, it is just a hobby. Don’t miss the grandkids baseball games, football games or other important events, because you just have to work on your project. When your priorities line up right, the joy of turning wood is huge. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
2Cor 8:12 NIV For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Prov 24:3-4 NIV By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Col 2:3 NIV in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
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