Why green woodworking?
Since I was a schoolboy I have felt that there is something deeply wrong about the way we buy and consume products in modern society. The way we know so little about where the come from, who made them under what conditions, what is consumed or wasted in the process and any real information about the product other than what the marketing department want us to think. We have an obsession with price but fail to understand value. The result is poor quality products that are superfically attractive but souless, do not last and do not contribute to our relationship with our environment and community.
Green woodworking is, loosely, a collection of ancient techniques that start with the living tree and end with beautiful and unique furniture, utensils, buildings and more. No power tools are needed, there is no noise or dust, and often the workplace is the woodland itself.
Green woodworking is not likely to make you rich, in fact few people can make a living soley from these old-fashioned and time-consuming work. But that is not the point; as a hobby its value is far more than economic. It is healthy, brings you in touch with nature, is genuinely useful, environmentally friendly and really does enrich the soul.
Today, you can drive to the nearest Ikea and using your credit card buy functional machine-made chemical-laden furniture for less than the value of the timber. But tomorrow? It's often said that we are only four meals from revolution, and I can't be the only person who thinks there is a real possibility that our complicated and fragile system of manufacture, consumption and finance will come crashing down.
If it does, the man who knows how to make shelter and essential items from the natural materials around him stands a chance of survival. If it does not, you will have spent priceless time in a beautiful environment and enjoyed learning practical skills and working with the wonderful material wood.
What's on this website
There are several fantastic books, courses and website already available on green woodworking, and my aim is not to reproduce these or steal their ideas. Instead, I am concentrating on my own woodworking projects and ideas. I hope to include enough notes on these to help you recreate them, if you wish.
Under construction Please be patient while the site gradually builds up, as I can only update it in rare free moments (I would rather be outside working the wood!)
Get in touch! I would love to hear your feedback and all about your own projects and ideas
