Maybe it is just where we live, but I don't think so. In the three years I've been handling the administration side of our business, I can said with a firm conviction that the woodworking industry is a man's world. Sure there are some of us ladies out there, but we are few in a sea full of men.
About two years ago, I was trying to put together a quote for a client. Of course, they wanted a species of wood that wasn't overly common in this part of the country, so off I went in search. I had to branch out to suppliers I don't normally use. One man very sweetly told me "honey, I've been doing this for forty years and I've never heard of such a thing. Are you sure you've got the name right?"
First, yes, I did have the name right. One thing to note about my husband, don't ever go head to head with him on woodworking knowledge because you will lose. If he says the wood exists, trust me, it does. Second, which brings me back to my point, was the derogatory way in which the man spoke to me. He didn't know me from Adam, but felt confident enough to use an endearment with me before basically telling me I didn't know what I was talking about.
But it isn't all negative. I have to say that sometimes it works in my favor. Because I am so often the only woman walking into a store, sometimes I run into some gentlemen who go out of their way to help me.
When I walked into Grainger last week there were roughly ten men in the store and me. This isn't unusual. I think I've been in there once before when there was another female. If you don't know what Grainger is, it is a store of sorts that sells just about anything under the sun that a business would need. Not just anyone can walk in off the street and buy things, you have to have a business license and open an account, but this company has some of the best customer service I've ever seen. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml
There's also a woodworking shop here in Columbus called Woodcraft that is pretty woman friendly. They have women on staff that all have some level of woodworking knowledge. The only downside to this store, is that it is geared more toward hobbiests than professionals. But, if you are looking to get your feet wet, this would be the place to do it. They have classes ranging from the beginner to moderate skill levels. http://www.woodcraft.com/
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Coming Out Of The Woodwork
I've had people ask me in the past if we have a busy time in our business. You wouldn't think so given the nature of what we do, but both last year and again this, fall seems to be the majic time of year.
We met with three clients over the last two weeks looking for some custom work to be done. It was a huge wake up call for me. With the economy being what it has been this year, things had been moving at a slower pace. Having to get everything in order so quickly meant I had to kick it up a knotch. My years of experience working in both fast paced environments, as well as, my ability to multitask when dealing with customers, became invaluable.
Nick took the additions to our schedules in stide and enjoyed being able to flex his creative muscles since two of the clients only had vague ideas of what they wanted. Although having a client give us a picture they've found of what they wanted makes things easy, it does take some of the fun out of it. Nothing gives better satisfaction than working with a client to make something their own.
Here is a picture of a past design we worked with a client on. The fireplace was existing and trick was to make everything match.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Dying Age
My husband and I were talking the other day about age. But not in the way you might think. It wasn't our ages so much as that of the other well known master woodworkers out there.
This subject comes up from time to time as we talk about the woodworking industry around us. If you go out and find those craftsmen who truly do own the title of master, you find that most tend to be over the age of fifty. There are very few, like my husband, who fall below that line.
One example of this is Sam Maloof. He died in May and his loss was felt throughout the woodworking community. He was 93 and still going strong with his woodworking business out in California. He did what he loved, what he had a passion for, and was able to share that with his customers and the three master craftsmen that worked under him. Sam was one of the best known modern woodworkers of our time. His death was reported by major newspapers around the country including the LA Times and the NY Times. If you've never heard of him, check out some pictures of his work.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Sam+Maloof&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=6b3ESqjfJMXR8Abmt51G&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQsAQwAw
Sam Maloof isn't the only woodworker out there or even the only one that is well known for what they do, but those who truly have passion and drive to do what they do is becoming lost. Most young men, and not to be left out, a few young women, do not have the desire to take up this heritage. Why? The answer is simple. Most don't want to deal with the challenges they know they will face in the market.
Let's face it, most people in the US today don't even think of having a piece of furniture made for them when they need a table, bed, or chair. The first thing to cross their mind is to run to the local furniture store and buy something, right? Well of course it is. We've all done it. It's simple. Everything is there, out in the open for you to see. Find something you like and you can have it delivered to your front door in no time flat.
But you see, this is the exact reason why woodworking is truly a dying art. Sure there are hobbyists out there and there always will be. There is a difference between someone who dabbles and one that dedicates their life to the craft. Would you want someone who dabbles in accounting to do your taxes? Of course not. You want it done right the first time so you don't have the IRS knocking at your door.
Doing something every day and being on top of the latest trends and techniques is important no matter what field you're working in.
Most people don't view furniture the same way even though it is something we see and use in our homes every day. It is part of who we are, it says something about us when people enter our home. What does your furniture say about you, about your personality, about your life? Does it mean something? Does it tell a story?
This subject comes up from time to time as we talk about the woodworking industry around us. If you go out and find those craftsmen who truly do own the title of master, you find that most tend to be over the age of fifty. There are very few, like my husband, who fall below that line.
One example of this is Sam Maloof. He died in May and his loss was felt throughout the woodworking community. He was 93 and still going strong with his woodworking business out in California. He did what he loved, what he had a passion for, and was able to share that with his customers and the three master craftsmen that worked under him. Sam was one of the best known modern woodworkers of our time. His death was reported by major newspapers around the country including the LA Times and the NY Times. If you've never heard of him, check out some pictures of his work.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Sam+Maloof&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=6b3ESqjfJMXR8Abmt51G&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQsAQwAw
Sam Maloof isn't the only woodworker out there or even the only one that is well known for what they do, but those who truly have passion and drive to do what they do is becoming lost. Most young men, and not to be left out, a few young women, do not have the desire to take up this heritage. Why? The answer is simple. Most don't want to deal with the challenges they know they will face in the market.
Let's face it, most people in the US today don't even think of having a piece of furniture made for them when they need a table, bed, or chair. The first thing to cross their mind is to run to the local furniture store and buy something, right? Well of course it is. We've all done it. It's simple. Everything is there, out in the open for you to see. Find something you like and you can have it delivered to your front door in no time flat.
But you see, this is the exact reason why woodworking is truly a dying art. Sure there are hobbyists out there and there always will be. There is a difference between someone who dabbles and one that dedicates their life to the craft. Would you want someone who dabbles in accounting to do your taxes? Of course not. You want it done right the first time so you don't have the IRS knocking at your door.
Doing something every day and being on top of the latest trends and techniques is important no matter what field you're working in.
Most people don't view furniture the same way even though it is something we see and use in our homes every day. It is part of who we are, it says something about us when people enter our home. What does your furniture say about you, about your personality, about your life? Does it mean something? Does it tell a story?
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