Why make things?

At a time when the typical consumer can buy more, various products for less than any time in history, why would I choose to make things myself, much less by hand? The answer to that is partly about me, partly about the kind of society we're in, and one part about you.

For my part, I like working with my hands and mind. It's freeing to be able to imagine a thing and eventually end up holding the physical manifestation of that thought. That capability has made it so I am excited by problems. That means an opportunity to create a brand new thing to solve the problem! Endless fun :)

On the flip side, I also just got annoyed at all the flimsy, cheap, disposable, soulless crap that was filling up my house. This is the place we inhabit as a society these days. It's our fault. I'm still part of it. When I'm in a hurry or too busy I still fall for the plastic-particleboard thing that most resembles what I need. Then in 2 months I invariably get annoyed and throw it away and swear that next time I'll do it right and just make my own.

Which leads me to you. I probably don't know you yet, but the fact that you are still here (or that you came here in the first place) means you are probably pretty cool. You have probably made different choices in your life that may result in the fact that it would be difficult for you to make a 13 compartment victorian specemine chest with hand forged nails, lifts, hinges and hasp. And if that's the case I am doubly glad you are here because I would love to make that thing for you. And in so doing, there would be a chance for us to connect and share a story and design an epic thing that will have your heirs shaking their heads in amazement 150 years from now. In my mind that's worth doing. And if something is worth doing, its worth doing right. By hand.