Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
Make something with your hands every day, some wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi. It has been my goal for a long time now to follow this creed and it makes me happy nearly every day; even if it is something small, it is a small victory. "Its a tragedy of the first magnitude that millions of … Continue reading Creating Every Day
A reblog from the Northwest Woodworking Studio.
Cobblers
This letter was sent to me by an old friend.
Hi, Gary!
May I give you a story, as promised?
The story is told that if you were a young person in medieval France embarking on a spiritual quest, if you were fortunate you might meet up with someone older, perhaps a teacher, who would say this to you: I think I understand what you are seeking. Let me give you the name of someone I know, a cobbler, in Dijon. I think that it might work out well if you were to become his apprentice. If that happens, let me give you one piece of advice. Don’t talk with him about spiritual matters; just let him teach you how to make shoes.
So, time passes, and you find yourself in Dijon, and you seek out the cobbler. Sure enough, as it works out, you become his apprentice.
Years…
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A collection of tools, stakes, machines and hammers from the 19th century for the professional tinsmith or sheet metal worker.
A short film about a great craftsman. I like this one because the project documented here is so unusual. The almost forgotten art of the tinsmith. And a longer one that is really worth watching. It's a treat to see someone who knows his business so well. A dying breed of traditional artisan. "This … Continue reading Tinsmiths, a short film and a longer one…
Tinsmiths were the sheet metal workers of the preindustrial days in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This almost certainly includes Africa as well but I haven't been able to find any depictions yet. These craftsmen created many everyday objects and mended all sorts of metal. Here we see a smith creating a flask. I … Continue reading Medieval Tinsmith
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 