I started working on the next big piece today. It is a dining table for a colleague. She gave me a drawing to show what she had a mind. After thinking about the species of wood for a while we decided to make it also from elm like to desk for my daughter. I had given her a piece of the elm I had used to build the desk and she liked it. Today I started with a mock up of one end of the table, including the legs, or leg. This will help us to check that the dimensions are harmonious and I can figure out how to do the joinery. The tabletop here is thicker than specified. I wanted to see how a thicker tabletop would look like and I can always make it thinner later. I am really excited about this project!

I started studying carpentry last autumn in Keuda, a vocational school in my neighbourhood. Although I've done a lot I want to get some formal qualifications. Studying in Keuda also gives me access to the space and machines to do bigger pieces which I would not be able to do in my tiny workshop at home.

I just finished my first bigger piece. It is a desk for my daughter. She said she would like to have a desk and gave me the dimensions. We then together thought what kind of a desk would be nice for her. This is what we came up with. It is made out of American elm. I haven't worked with elm before so that was nice. I was at first concerned that the figure would be too strong, but I am now really happy with how it all worked out and love the bold grain.

I have always been making things I need, and have wanted to learn the skills required to get the job done. My greatest passion is however woodworking. I like how wood feels and smells. And when making with wood I find that the wood guides the maker to reveal the hidden in the piece of wood. I found clay for example very difficult to work with. The constraints set by clay on the craftsman are very different.

Over the years I have made my own clothes, done some metal work, I've made a few things with fiber glass / carbon fiber and epoxy. Mostly to make something and need but also to satisfy my curiosity to know how things work. Below are some pictures of things I've made. A tea pot with cups, a small vase, a canoe and a snow lantern. 

In this workshop blog my intention is to document some of the stuff I do. I will probably mostly concentrate on woodworking. I want to get more serious about it, hopefully make things not just for myself and those closest to me but to a wider audience.