Heather Matarazzo Instagram – The pandemic was a shit show and also unearthed a love I wouldn’t have given myself an opportunity to discover: woodworking.
My wife and I had just moved into a back house in North Hollywood six months prior. We were so happy to finally give our dogs their first yard ever!!! With outdoor space came the need for outdoor furniture…. Which I thought was woefully too expensive for what kind of quality it was. So when the pandemic rolled around and I was losing my mind, I got a case of the divine fuck its, looked up DIY plans and got to work.
It was my first time using a saw, a sander, a drill…. I learned how to measure and cut. I learned about angles. I learned about patience and persistence.
I’m historically one who doesn’t stick with something for very long; crochet, pogo sticking, painting, etc. I either get bored or I find my brain simply won’t connect the proper neurons for me to fully grasp what I’m attempting to do.
However, woodworking clicked.
I had shared with my birth dad’s wife how thankful I was to discover this love and she surprised me with “Well, your father was an excellent woodworker. He loved working with his hands.”
It’s funny how that works.
Now, as 2023 wraps up I find myself in a different place- physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, my love for the solitary meditative experience of building/creating has stayed with me and continues to grow. Just like the trees that gave their lives for the wood I’m privileged/honored to utilize.
(Side note: if you’re looking to get into woodwork, don’t be shy is calling tree trimming places and seeing if they’d be open to sharing the wood they’ve cut instead of having it go into a wood chipper.)
If you’ve read this far might I also suggest following @timetravelerstudio , who is an EPIC woodworker and inspires me on the daily!!! They’re a true fucking artist!
Now back to building my shelves.
Hope y’all have a wonderful holiday season and I’ll see you in 2024…. | Posted on 15/Dec/2023 05:16:52
