Shop Notes & Rambles
The Rambles are the stories lived and learned over decades — the moments, the lessons, and the shop life that shaped the craft. They accumulate here, sorted by publish date. If you want the curated version, explore the Workshop Library.
Woodworking Design: Getting It Right
Good woodworking looks right because it’s balanced — and the simplest way to get that balance is the 60/40 rule. This story explains how a single proportion can improve drawer layouts, bowl turning, furniture design, and any build that feels “off.” If you want your work to look intentional instead of accidental, this guideline is the easiest place to start.
Photography for Woodworkers
Woodworkers search all the time for how to do photography for woodworkers — how to light a project, how to make grain show up, how to take a simple shop photo that actually looks like the work you built. This Ramble walks through that in real examples: tools, tables, nightstands, and the same kind of shop light every woodworker already has. Controlled flashes, diffused sunlight, shallow depth of field, backlight, silhouettes — all the ways light can reveal the craft. It’s not about the camera. It’s about learning to see.
PHOTOGRAPHY
A Ramble about how photography shaped the way I see my woodworking — from a Grade 11 darkroom to the shop I work in today. This story explores the craft of noticing: the textures, the tools, the moments worth saving, and the way a camera turns everyday work into something lasting. Photography isn’t a side hobby. It’s how I document the builds, honour the craft, and capture the stories behind every cut.