reliquary of wood

Back in around 2000 I was invited along with a number of other Eureka Springs artisans to make a shrine expressing the things we held sacred. The show was held in a gallery at the University of Arkansas. I decided to make a reliquary of wood, inspired by a small metal reliquary in the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City. That reliquary inspired the  shape and size of mine, but rather than making it of metal, I made it from wood to hold 25 samples of Arkansas hardwoods, each worthy of reverence, with that term being inspired by Eric Sloan's book, A Reverence for Wood, and often associated with religion.

The way this box opens is related to a children's hand game, that some might remember. The game goes, "here's the church, here's the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people. In this case, the small wooden chapel is occupied by samples of the hardwoods of Arkansas.

The reliquary in the photo won best of show one year at the Springfield Art Museum. It is currently on display at the Museum of Eureka Springs Art. I made 3 and two are held by private collectors.

I'm currently making more. 

Make, fix and create...

important overlooked consequences

There are important and overlooked consequences of making beautiful and useful things. One of course is that we save money over the cost of buying things. Another is that by investing our time in such pursuits, we're not out shopping for useless stuff that we could easily live without. A third is that we learn. A fourth is that we develop character. A fifth is that we develop relationships in our own communities, quite unlike and on a deeper plane than those from shopping for useless stuff. A sixth is that by example, we model behavior that is more responsible to the environment, and may inspire others to do as we're learning to do ourselves. I can easily go on, but perhaps this is enough to digest in one day.

By embarking on a craft, you'll learn more.

Any craft will do.

In my shop I'm applying an oil finished to the boxes I sanded last week. I've added a few boxes to my Etsy site: http://dougstowe.etsy.com including this walnut and oak box with a fake drawer. I had mistakenly put the lift tab on the base rather than the lid, and this was my fix. The box is unique and available.

Make, fix and create.

Balancing economy vs. THE Economy.

When we spend money, it's good for others as it stimulates the economy. When we save money by doing things for ourselves, it's good for our own households, and also good for the planet, in that it reduces the impact of consumerism and the transport of materials and goods great distances and at great burden to the environment.

One of the differences between Educational Sloyd and the Russian system of manual arts training was that while the Russian system involved the making of useless parts of things, Educational Sloyd involved the making of things useful to family and community life. 

The Russian system was intended to develop workers for industry. Educational Sloyd was developed in response to a flood of manufactured goods that deprived the citizenry of their long standing self-reliance on things they could make for themselves. Its development was partially in response to the loss of community character that commonly came from the making of those things.

By making things useful within the family and community, the student would receive the benefit of being recognized as useful, and families would recognize the importance and value of schooling.

As Salomon had noted, the value of the carpenter's work is in the things the carpenter makes. The value of the things the student makes is in the student, reflecting the deeper relationship the making of beautiful and useful things brings to the student, the family, the community and nation.

The two carvings shown here were done by my great uncle, Charles A. Richards in Ft. Dodge, Iowa during WWII as his nieces and nephews were at war. They brought no benefit to THE economy but brought other things. And as we worship THE economy, we should pay greater attention to other things, and practice of economy, also called thrift.

Make, fix and create...

Sanding Small Boxes SD 480p

a fourth point

 A fourth point in educational reform

The fourth point is that teachers need to be drawn at least partly from the pool of those who didn’t necessarily do so well in school. Late bloomers and failures are important to engage in teaching others. 

A reason for this is that when faced with stress, as happens in most schools, teachers tend to fall back into positions most comfortable to them, often meaning the ways they themselves were taught. And those who go to college are generally the ones who learn comfortably by rote, rather than by doing. We need trained doers in schools whose most comfortable fall back positions are getting things done rather than talking about stuff. In doing real things, all the senses are engaged, more fully engaging the various parts of the sensory and motor cortices in the brain, establishing a deeper level of engagement and remembrance.

A child's use of senses should come first. An understanding presented by Comenius in the 17th century.

"The ground of this business (education) is, that sensual objects be rightly presented to the senses for fear that they not be received. I say, and say it again aloud, that this is the foundation of all the rest; because we can neither act nor speak wisely, unless we first rightly understand all the things which are to be done and whereof we have to speak. Now there is nothing in the understanding which was not before in the senses. And therefore to exercise the senses well about the right perceiving of the differences of things will be to lay the grounds for wisdom and all wise discourse, and all discreet actions in one's course of life, which, because it is commonly neglected in schools, and the things that are to be learned are offered to scholars without their being understood or being rightly presented to the senses, it cometh to pass that the work of teaching and learning goeth heavily onward and offereth little benefit."

Make, fix and create. 

A third point

A third point in educational reform (one emphasized by educational sloyd and progressive educators from the time of Pestalozzi), was the relationship between the concrete and abstract. All abstract studies should be preceded by concrete learning to build a coherent and useful structure of knowledge. Educational psychologist Jerome Bruner and others have called this “scaffolding.” 

For example, we make a huge mistake pushing kids to read before they’re doing real things…. reading is abstract, doing is concrete. Building from abstraction leads to further abstraction, and we never outgrow, nor need we outgrow our connection to the real world. And all children, even those in fantasy worlds of their own making, know the difference between what's real and what's been made up for their amusement or distraction.

How can they possibly know? The real world is full of sensory data, conveyed through the senses without which students are left ill equipped to test the truth of what they are being taught.

In the World Beyond Your Head, Matthew Crawford’s sequel to Shop Class, he’d written in his final chapter of the quote from me used as epigraph of chapter one of his first book, 

“In schools we create artificial learning environments for our children that they know to be contrived and undeserving of their full attention and engagement… Without the opportunity to learn through the hands, the world remains abstract, and distant, and the passions for learning will not be engaged.” 

We put learning in a context of grades and test scores but in essence are telling students that what they're being taught does not really matter, as it appears contrived and undeserving their full engagement.

Crawford stated in his later book, “I don’t think this is true for every student, but it is true of enough students that we ought to worry about it." Taking a wider view, I contend that ALL students even those deemed most successful in the current model pay a toll for the artificiality of hands-off schooling, and they too, deserve more. In fact, as we turn the world over to new generations, we also deserve more, as I mention in my recent article in Front Porch Republic, AI, Misinformation and Manual Arts Training.

 https://www.frontporchrepublic.com/2024/01/ai-misinformation-and-manual-arts-training/

Make, fix and create.

education reform step 2

The second thing to recognize in educational reform is that activities that are by nature real, engaging all the senses create a better network of remembrance, connection and utility in the brain. This has been proven by research. 

Learning that takes place hands-on, meaning it was accomplished by being physically present thus engaging all the senses has much deeper and longer lasting effect. You can think of the brain as real estate, and hands-on activities and experiences are noted in the full breadth of sensory and motor cortices with greater impact and depth of interconnected remembrance. Students sitting at desks with thumbs a-twittle is a waste that serves none well.

Modern classroom learning where students sit at desks, while teachers attempt to instill information into their brains insists on student passivity and leads to passive unresponsive lives. That may be useful to a political society in which direct engagement is to be squelched. But a democratic society requires active engagement of each and all in making the decisions that affect our own lives.

Again, the answer is simple. Insist that classroom teachers lead students in doing real things. Getting out of the classroom into real life is advised.

The walnut and spalted red oak box shown was made as a demonstration box in  class at ESSA years ago. In it I demonstrated hand cut dovetails and the making and use of wooden hinges.

Make, fix and create.

easy as one, two, three, four

There is a great need for educational reform in the US, so to make things easy, please follow for the next three days as I explain. 

The first thing to recognize is that the brain, even among college students is good for only a very few minutes of lecture. Even the best minds wander and must for newly delivered information to be compared both to that which had previously been learned or taught and to the student’s own personal experience. 

Scaffolding, an integrated structure of previously acquired experiential learning supports the integration of new learning. Teachers in classes that drone on and on serve none well, and even the best and brightest may be struck by the triviality of what they’re being taught. 

Steering education away from the model in which a teacher stands at the head of the class could be as easy as requiring each teacher to provide students an opportunity to do real things related to their subject matter. If in doubt, consult the school shop teacher for ideas if one is available. 

In the meantime, 50 boxes are now through the first sanding process, have had the edges routed, and are ready for orbital sanding, grits, 150, 240 and 320 before signing. 

Make, fix and create.

more on fifty boxes

I now have 50 boxes assembled and ready to begin sanding operations. I start with 100 grit on the belt sander, then move to 150 grit before using the router table to contour the edges and corners.

Then I'll use an orbital sander to smooth all surfaces in preparation for applying an oil finish. What will all these boxes be used for? Your guess is as good as mine. But they're an honest product, and made to last.

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning likewise.


 

A great discount offer

Amazon is offering a three for the price of two sale on my book Wisdom of Our Hands. It's a great opportunity for artisans and crafters to share insight into our own lives and creative inclinations with others. 

The way the offer works is this. Go to this link.  Then where it says "Get 3 for the price of 2" click "add items" and you'll be taken to the offer. Add the number of copies desired and when you go to the shopping cart, normal discounts will be applied and a free copy will be deducted from the price. Buy six and get them for the price of four, each already at a special discount price.

Want to know why to give this book to others? Joe Youcha, writing for Wooden Boat Magazine said the following:

I read it in two big gulps, and as I did, I identified with the book’s message so much that I began making  a list of everyone I thought should read it. By the time I finished, that list included anyone studying at a craft school, all the people I work with, and all the people I’ve ever taught. I especially wish I could buy copies for all the people who taught me, and who are no longer here. I actually want to buy it for everyone I know.

If you have a craftsperson in your life, this book may explain some things about what motivates them. And if someone in your life aspires to become a craftsperson, this book offers insight into having a successful, productive attitude while pursuing a craft. If you're not involved in a craft, this book will raise your awareness of the value of craft. — Joe Youcha, boat builder and founder of Building to Teach.

Some readers may remember the wooden boats we built at the Clear Spring School? Joe was the inspiration for that, and the designer of the Bevin's Skiff. 

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning likewise. 

fifty boxes

Yesterday I inlaid the lids of 50 small boxes, cut the lids to length and am ready for hinging and assembly. I was helped by having the inlay already made (by myself) and by being of a certain age and experience.

Much is made of Biden's age, while hardly a word is said about Trump being younger by only two years. In the meantime, youth is not always a good thing.

While whippersnappers (of various ages) are running hither and yon, providing evidence of youthful vigor and misdirection, wisdom and experience are on the side of those who may be working at a slower pace while getting more done.

In box making it's important knowing what to do. It is also important to know what things are not to be done that distract one from a straighter path. Two things one may learn over a period of time are what not to do, and what to value in the doing.

I do not know whether President Biden's campaign will survive the stupidity with which he's being assaulted. Agism is rampant in America, even against those in their 40's, 50's and 60's. Young folks, eager to make their own marks, and too impatient to grasp the value of what's gone on before appear to be moving fast. If you look past the motion blur you may find that they may lack the efficiency of some older folks. I'm better at what I do than I was 48 years ago and the small boxes I make are even better and more refined. That happens. I take naps sometimes. They help. And just because we may seem over the hill, we're not.

A note on the boxes—Governor Bill Clinton carried my small boxes as gifts from the State of Arkansas on some of his foreign travels. They are made from Arkansas hardwoods and showcase the value of the forests of the "Natural State."

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning likewise.

Join with me in a pledge

Yesterday afternoon I prepared lid stock and inlay for making nearly 50 boxes. Today I'll finish routing the tops for pieces of inlay to be fitted and size the inlay to fit. After gluing the inlay in the lids, and they're cut to length, hinging and assembly can begin. Years ago I'd imagined growing old with the making of these boxes and in a few short years I'll be as old as Biden and I'll still be making boxes as beautiful as ever. 

Trump is now trying to distance himself from project 2025, the Heritage Foundation's plan to put radical right wing policies in place. He says he wishes them luck but doesn't completely agree with all of their proposals that were put forth in his name, put forth with the promise that nothing violent will happen unless liberals interfere.

We're in deep trouble as so called "conservatives" threaten revolution. There are so called red states and so called blue states and we live in the United States of America, where as Lincoln noted, we have the challenge of working toward a more perfect union in which the rights of all are respected, including the rights of women to make their own decisions regarding reproductive health, and in which industries are controlled to prevent our early deaths and the deaths of those we love from toxic air and water.

In a more perfect union, we take care to protect the voting rights of others, and we vote to make sure the rights of all to the benefits of that more perfect union are upheld.

Join with me in a pledge. I will not vote for anyone who refuses to stand for the rights of others to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness or refuses to accept equality under the law. I will not vote for anyone that supports a would be, want to be king or a president who claims the authority of a king, or a Supreme Court that offers him that power.

Yesterday morning we assembled two new router tables at ESSA to replace two that I'd made for the school when the shop was first opened. The old router tables with new wheels added will become rolling carts, useful when planing stock.

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning likewise.

Making small boxes

I try to keep an inventory of boxes to fill orders, as they're much less expensive to produce in multiples, and therefore cheaper for customers to buy. When supplies get low, I make more. The photo shows yesterday's labor. I cut and machined parts for nearly 50 small boxes in walnut and linden. Processes involve forming small mortises on the box ends for the front, back and bottoms to fit, then forming matching tenons on the front and back and rabbets along the edges of the bottom panels.

Because these are regular production items, I keep routers set up and ready to serve, thus cutting time that would have been spent setting up, and thus avoiding errors that might occur in setting up tools.

Most Americans know at this point that if defeated in the November election, Donald Trump will claim election fraud and turn his minions loose to restore him to presidential power. It will be like January 6, 2021, but worse. Then with the backing of the Supreme Court, he'll be given unprecedented power to do what ever he likes. Here are a few things he and his Project 2025 plan for us.

• Abandon support for NATO and allow Russia to defeat Ukraine.
• Remove protection for women's reproductive health.
• Cut Social Security "in order to save it."
• End the Affordable Heath care Act that provides health insurance for millions of Americans.
• Round up millions of migrants in camps and export them, threatening our agriculture and construction industries as well as the lives of millions.
• Deregulate industries, and abolish the EPA thereby allowing us to be poisoned by toxic waste and left with nothing we can do about it.
• Withdraw from climate accords and continue to insist that the climate crisis we all face is simply a hoax, and that we should "drill baby, drill," as forests burn, cities are flooded or bone dry and insurance rates soar.
• Increase tariffs on all imported goods, thereby adding greatly to inflation.
• Weaponize the Department of Justice against all political opposition. That means me.
• Appoint more corrupt Supreme Court justices, making sure we're screwed for the next generations.

Some will say, "surely he's just talking and won't really do all that stuff." Let me assure you that he will. given the power of a king by the Supreme Court, he surely will, and must be stopped.

In the meantime, I have little power, so I say what I know to be true and  I make boxes. The box making provides some solace. 

Happy Fourth of July.

A Garden of Children

This is a new article I've been working on, just published this morning at the Front Porch Republic.

 https://www.frontporchrepublic.com/2024/07/a-garden-of-children/

The rise of kindergarten was closely associated with the rise of the manual training movement.

Make, fix and create.

black jobs, hispanic jobs

During the Trump-Biden debate this week, in which an elderly man confronted a very slightly younger serial liar with great vigor at lying and a distorted sense of reality, Trump warned that millions of immigrants were coming to take "black jobs, and hispanic jobs" clearly characterizing some jobs as lower, less worthy of respect and placing them along racial lines as though there weren't a large number of white folks doing the same work to support their families. 

There's a long history of such characterizations in American politics, in denial of the basic Jeffersonian precept that all men are created equal. The false premise is that some jobs are intellectual, and some are not. And in that is a huge failing among "intellectuals" to acknowledge the amount of intellect invested in jobs and activities that have a physical component. For instance, making a box.

Trump bragged about his proficiency in golf... one of the most cheated at physical pursuits and one allowing your "handicap" to be used in measuring your performance in comparison with others... thus allowing you to claim a win without actually winning... a game perfectly suited to Trump.

Would you rather have a president with compassion or one who can lie with vigor? I would rather have one who shows respect for all persons and all labor.

Make, fix and create.