Share your craft projects
Make new craft buddies
Ask craft questions
Blog your craft journey
Mike40
1078 posts
and
35 followers
in almost 10 years
in almost 10 years
This pretty much sums me up
I love all forms of woodworking and I practice as many as I can. I have yet to master any of them and I don’t expect to either. I enjoy using both hand tools and power tools and I’m not against computer controlled tools though I don’t have any. Most of my projects are small like turnings, boxes, etc., but I like to make something big occasionally. My interest in others work is not always motivated by how well a project is done. I just let my heart lead the way. That said, I do very much appreciate good craftsmanship and thoughtful design, though I can’t claim to be guilty of either myself.
I’m an American citizen living in a small community on the southwestern coast of Norway with my Norwegian wife and family. The woodworking community here is quite limited. Most young folks today are more interested in sports and the digital world even though wood shop is still part of the school curriculum. I do get my two grandsons into the shop at Christmas time and I even got my granddaughter hand planing once, but she hasn’t been back since even though I promised her I would make sure the plane blade would be sharp next time! I wish my two grown sons had some interest in woodworking, but they have their own hobbies and I’m glad they use their free time in a positive way.
I was very glad to see so many of my old friends on this site and I am looking forward to spending some of my time here. I like that the site is, at least for the time being, rather small, I’m not thinking of exclusivity here, but rather the ability to be more in touch with the overall activity and the members.
Mike, an American living in Norway
8 Replies
Once again Mike, glad to have you here. Welcome :)
Did you visit Lofoten? I spent great 1 week there last winter.
Martin Sojka, Maker of Craftisian
Thanks Martin. I’ve never been that far north. I know it’s a beautiful place from photos though. Let me know if you ever make it down south to the Stavanger area. it would be nice to meet you in person.
Mike, an American living in Norway
Here are a few photos from my trip: https://www.flickr.com/photos/msojka/sets/72157633040915199/
Thanks for invite. I’d sure like to return to Norway one day and visit other places too.
Martin Sojka, Maker of Craftisian
Wow Martin thanks, those are very professional quality photos. The best I’ve ever seen of Lofoten in fact ,and I’ve seen quite a few over the years. You are a man of many talents.
Mike, an American living in Norway
I like this site too. We tend to talk more here about woodworking and less about tools, unless they are amazing and rare and unusual. Not so much about how cool it is to own them but how cool they are period.
I’m from British Columbia and have been pretty far north there. Now I live in Wales. It’s not far off, really…a few less Douglas firs. Here’s a pic from my front room of tonight’s sunset…to be honest it was better five minutes later. the dead trees are Larch…a virus killed them last year. They will be cut and the land replanted with ash and oak and (hopefully) virus resistant Elm.
-- Alec (Friends call me Wolf, no idea why)
Cool introduction Mike. Now I know you better.
Those are great picture Martin. Lofoten is awesome.
Great view W&R.
Abbas, Castro Valley, CA
Mike,
We could just copy quite a bit of what you said and put our names on it! Your story is much like ours.
It’s always nice to learn more about fellow woodworkers.
L/W
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin
W&R Beautiful place there in Wales. I worked in the UK back in the 70’s, but never made it to Wales. It’s a shame about the Larch, they are beautiful trees and their wood is also very useful. We planted one in our front yard at our last home. It sure grew fast!
Ian and L/W Thanks, and yes I think most of us are into woodworking just for the pure enjoyment and the love of making stuff and it is wonderful to be able to share our work and thoughts with kindred souls.
Mike, an American living in Norway
