Fingerprints

Humankind has always had creators and consumers. Farmers and those who frequent the farmers market. Artists, actors and musicians and those who consume or appreciate their art. It’s how our world works. We have to have products and a marketplace and a market. But lately, fewer and fewer people are creators. People seem to be satisfied with mass produced, easily obtained, short lived trash that ends up in a landfill a few months after the consumer has wasted their money on it in the first place. Then of course the consumer repeats the process and buys the same stuff again. My encouragement with this blog is straightforward. First, be a creator if possible. Build something and leave your fingerprints behind for others. Second, when you consume, where you can, consume quality from someone who took the time to build the thing so it will last and so when/if and if it breaks, it can be repaired.

If you go on Amazon, you can find a cheaply made “cedar” (I use quotation marks on account of the fact that I find it questionable that they are actually cedar) for relatively low prices. They are built by machines, finished by machines and all look exactly alike. Many are made in foreign countries and utilize cheap, questionable labor. The chest I refinished was made in America, likely by hand (although I could not verify or date-just approximate). I hand sanded it, strengthened it, removed its weakened and broken legs and handles and replaced them with lifetime-solid stuff. The family that purchased it bought it sight unseen because they understood what it means to buy something like this as opposed to flimsy junk. My hope is that their child passes it to her child.

What does it mean when you consume these kinds of goods? To begin with, there is a craftsman somewhere whose work and craft you are supporting. Your purchase at minimum allows that craftsman to continue to refine and produce their craft. Materials are not free. Time is not free. Tools are not free. It takes hours and hours to be able to produce the thing you desire after years of practice. And your purchase allows that to continue. Additionally, you now have a unique one of a kind item that is not available on Amazon or in Wal-Mart. You can give this gift with pride and share the story of its acquisition with others. You can use it, display it share it and know with certainty that this item is not a landfill occupier. I don’t do much woodworking any more. When I do, if I charge someone I only charge what they want to pay (plus my cost of materials). The value is in what they see in the item. I derive great joy in the delivery and seeing the item used.

I’ve talked about the consumer side a bit, now I want to focus on creation. To build, make or create something is no easy task if you want to create a quality item, an item of beauty and something visually appealing. The dictionary defines “craftsman” simply as a person who is especially skilled at a particular craft. To be a craftsman is to spend endless hours working at your art. Refining it. Discarding anything you see as less than perfect. In my case, plenty of tools have gone flying across my driveway and plenty of projects have turned into kindling. When it comes together there is great satisfaction in creating and delivering the item to a consumer who appreciates it. All the cursing, throwing and kindling worth it. Your craft can be anything. Pottery, cutting boards, photography, painting, hand drawn art, home-made furniture and so on. For those of you who have been reading this blog for any time, you know I got a new camera some time ago. I am approaching 10,000 photographs with it. Create, refine and leave your fingerprints behind as you pass the creation on to an eager consumer who appreciates your effort and quality.

Share your love and passion by creating and giving or selling what you’ve created. If aren’t the creative type, then consider making your purchases from a craftsman when possible. You” be glad you did in many ways. Consuming a hand made item contributes your fingerprints to those on the quality item whatever it is.

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