It’s amazing and beautiful how everyone has a story. I got into woodworking because it was soothing. I’ve always been an artist at heart and I absolutely love to create. I’ve done woodworking projects for years but it never occurred to me to do them for other people. I simply did things for my own pleasure and that was it.
Can You Make One of These For Me?
However, when I started remodeling my home people would come over and ask, “Can you make one of these for me?” I find that people love the warmth of a beautiful piece of art in their home. You know how on a rainy day people always say they wish they could curl up with a good book and warm cup of coffee. It’s something I’ve heard said often. I’m starting to feel like this is what the right “thing” can do for someone’s home. They find it soothing. It gives us comfort, doesn’t it?
I came to realize that most of the time when someone asked me to make something for them, they have a story to tell. People don’t just say, “Make me a table.” They don’t ask without a long conversation taking place. People don’t ask me to make them a piece of art without a story. They don’t ask for a name on a piece of wood. They want something that expresses who they are. They want something that represents them with style. They want something that gives them that cozy feel. You know what I mean?
What Is Your Story
I absolutely love all the stories. It makes me feel so happy that I can be a part of creating your story. Maybe you’re looking at something my company made and you’re thinking ‘but I don’t have a story.’ Of course you do. Let me give you an example of what I mean.
I made a name in a frame for a client recently. Not just any client, but some friends of mine. They wanted their last name on a Name in a Frame. I simply assumed it would be going up on their wall in their home. That was not the case, but I didn’t know this story till later on. You see, their son was getting married and they were looking for the perfect gift to put in his new home. They wanted something that would represent them and would last a lifetime. They wanted something unique. So they came to me and asked me if I could make them a Name in a Frame. Within the week, I had it made and in their hands and from what I could tell they were super happy with what I created.
My Favorite Part
My favorite part of the story is that I made an assumption. I assumed it was going in the living room of someone I was making it for but no. As usual, there was a great story behind it. Not only that, the next time I saw them they told me how much their son loved the piece I made for him. The joy that people experience when they hang up that beautiful piece of art on their wall is like a big warm hug from my friends and customers. Do you see what I mean?
Life Is Short but ..
Our lives are short and it may sound like I’m making a big mushy deal out of this whole wood working thing but you know what? I love it. It’s changing my life and I get to hear really cool stories every day. I get to impact peoples lives while doing something I love.
I leave you with this
If I want to impact lives, I have to learn from those who have gone before me. Love it or hate it, one of the greatest figures in human history was a man named Jesus Christ. How interesting that he chose to be a woodworker… a carpenter. It’s been on my mind for some time. I keep asking the question, why would Jesus be a carpenter of all the trades he could have chosen?
After some deep thought, I can see how it relates to what he wanted to do. It’s simple. He wouldn’t have done it, if he couldn’t impact lives. Every job he did had a story behind it. It wasn’t about the wood or making money for him, it was about the people. My goal is to be just like that. The people are the most important part of what I do. That means YOU are the most important part of what I do. What more could I possibly say?