A Man on an Unusual Mission: Bringing the Alphorn Back to France
In a former silk weaver’s workshop in Lyon, a carpenter and trained musician is breathing new life into the alphorn—an instrument that was on the brink of extinction in France.
Woodworking vs. Perfection
Wood entices us with its natural beauty, usefulness, and endless variety. Yet, perhaps more than any other raw material, it defies the artisan’s Sisyphean quest for perfection.
Fighting Fast Furniture Waste, One Reupholstered Sofa at a Time
Cindy Feinauer wants to talk about “fast furniture.” More than 9.5 million tons of furniture are thrown into U.S. landfills every year, according to the most recent data available from the EPA—equal to 80% of the new furnishings being manufactured.
My First Design
Gary Rogowski, a master woodworker and furniture designer (and longtime Craftsmanship collaborator) reflects on how his first handmade bench came into being.
Measuring by Eye
Precision is more than a relative concept. One is not ‘sort of’ precise in furniture-making. Precision involves an attitude about the work; standards for making; and, in fact, a way of seeing the world. There are various metrics for what precision means. For a welder, being short by 1/32″ just means making a slightly wider…
“How to Make a Good Day”: Scott and Ene Constable on Crafting a Meaningful Life
For the team behind Wowhaus Studio, great public art isn’t just about design; it’s about creating purpose, meaning, and joy. They apply this philosophy in their daily lives, too—and so can you.
“The New Didgeridoo,” with Andy Graham
Andy Graham—musician, instrument maker, inventor, and patentholder—takes us on a brief but fascinating “tour of sound.” Graham’s enchantment with a centuries-old Aboriginal wind instrument, the didgeridoo, has yielded several new instrumental creations. His passion for experimentation shines through as he discusses the process behind his work; the joys of tinkering; and some of the highlights…
What Science Says About Craft, Creativity, and Mental Health
For nearly 30 years, woodworking has provided Miles Boudreaux with purpose, connection, and a creative “fix.” Now, science is catching up to what he’s learned from experience.
My Father’s Mallet
After graduating college, I finally got up the nerve to quit trying to be what everyone else wanted me to be: priest, professor, or professional. My Lit major brain was tired from working up essays on nothingness. Working with my hands, now this was real stuff… My father had done some woodworking once, so I…
