I have always resisted practice. Especially in woodworking. It's hard enough to find time to work on new pieces. How can I afford to practice first? The first class I took with Jeff Lefkowitz helped to change my mind. The practice was built in. By the time we needed to use a technique or tool on our finished parts, we had already done it on a piece of scrap. Embracing practice is what made Jeff's classes accessible to "woodworkers of all levels". Practice takes the pressure off. There is freedom in giving yourself permission to screw up as you learn. And it makes the process of doing the real work even more fun.
So please, download the Practice Leg Template (its free). Dig through your wood pile for a piece of scrap with mostly straight grain. And make some time to practice. Let yourself make mistakes. Learn something new. Have fun!
This week's video answers some questions I got last week about using the template. It also offers a little more information about selecting grain for chair legs.
Peter Galbert recently posted some new fall classes on his site.
(The first few classes on the page are sold out. The new classes are at the bottom.)
The Sliver River Center for Chair Caning is offering a 1 Day Splint Weaving Class at their school in Asheville, NC on May 1st.
Is there a woodworking class or instructor you really enjoyed?
Let me know in the comments!