why do we make stuff?

[ForresterModern]

Speaking of rod-building. I make a pilgrimage to the Boundary Waters every year to fish smallmouth bass. There is anther guy who is there at the same time, and he has some really beautifully wrapped rods, with very fine wood handles. He told me about the Ministries, and how these works have turned lives around.

Haven't been to the Boundary waters since around 1987, although itching to go back, especially now that I have canoe (We-no-nah Royalex) and new fishing kayak and all my own gear for camping (only took 25 years to acquire all that stuff). Last time we only took fishing gear and clothes and the outfitters did a pretty poor job of setting us up with food and camping gear and noisy aluminum canoes. And then the last night out we got run off by a rogue bear in the camp who trashed our well hung food pack and sucked down our last rum and all remaining food, driving us out of camp to "sleep" under the stars and mosquitoes on a neighboring island. If you ever need a body to fill out a party let me know---I am closer than you and probably right on your way up there if you drive. Hve boats, will travel.

Interesting link to the ministry and rod builders---luckily I am all rodded up and could probably stand to shed a few if I ever get around to organizing it all.

[Mickey]

But when it's too windy for a boat, I just fish from shore I'll fish no matter what the weather. Still better than a day at work.

I grew up about an hour west of the BWCA. Still have family there. Love it up there and wish I could get back there permanently. I wish everyone were able to canoe through there just once to be able to appreciate it.

That rod actually looks very familiar. I think I may know the builder. I'm a big fan of wood grips too.

[Cynthia]

Having something to do at airports/on planes other than plug into electronic gadgets!

That's always a great reason, too!

A little bit of an amusing story... I once took my knotting shuttle when I had to sit in a waiting room for a while (kind of similar to tatting, but different -- you use various knots on a straight cord to couch down to embroidery). It's not something you see really, so there were some people trying not to make eye contact with me, yet trying to figure out what the heck I was doing.

Handsewing garments and embroidering projects are also fairly easy to take with you.

[tyger]

If you ever need a body to fill out a party let me know---I am closer than you and probably right on your way up there if you drive. Hve boats, will travel.

I know what you mean about having plenty of rods. I have a bunch that I should give to a scout club or something. That will make room for me to acquire a few more.

Here is a picture of Carol and the cats (in the cat carrier, center of boat) and all our stuff (well, not all; we pack away the Christmas tree, fish fryer, bread machine, etc for the winter and leave it there) portaging from Ontario into MN. Then 1,376 miles back to Georgia.

[ForresterModern]

I know what you mean about having plenty of rods. I have a bunch that I should give to a scout club or something. That will make room for me to acquire a few more.

Here is a picture of Carol and the cats (in the cat carrier, center of boat) and all our stuff (well, not all; we pack away the Christmas tree, fish fryer, bread machine, etc for the winter and leave it there) portaging from Ontario into MN. Then 1,376 miles back to Georgia.

I see you are in the motorable portion of the BWCA/Quetico. Our trip started and finished on motorable water but we spent the middle 8 days in the non-motorable (except the rangers) area, seeing less than 8-10 other humans per day on any given day. Before my flyfishing days, but spinning gear brought home some nice pike, walleye or largemouths for supper each and every evening. We habitated two different campsites for a few days each making day trips and portages to fish and other sites, then moved to the last night's campsite where we obviously cleaned our fish too close to the campsite and coaxed in the bear that ruined the finish of the trip. Outfitters jokingly called him Three-Toe when we showed them where our last nights campsite was, as I guess there was some history of a certain bear in that area and specific campsite (wish they had told us that when we planned out our route with them at the beginning of the trip). Would love to hunt pike, walleye, smallies and bigmouths with the fly rod next time around, and already have several boxes of special flies tied from a Canada trip a few years back.

[Ryan Ross]

...A week later, I was told how after receiving it, his dad broke down into tears over what was the most thoughtful gift he had ever received. That there, is what it is all about

Awesome, awesome story... WELL worth the $50.

And Jeff- Your story is one in a million. It's still worth having a little faith in humanity, thank God.

I've been a student of Budo and an instructor in the same for 30 years.

Forgive me, but I must now ask- In what system do you train, O, my brother?

[tyger]

Several of us here are of the creative bent. Some of us use the products of our hands to earn our daily bread; others make things without thought of recompense. Why? Why go to all the trouble of securing supplies and equipment, seeking training, and then investing the time it takes to make something? It seems like a lot of work. We could be using the same time to watch TV, swim in the local river, inventory our mildew collection or any number of other things.
Well, here's my answer. I make things because I have to. When an idea gets into my head, I can think of little else until I either write it down or make it (or both). If I go for very long without making something, I start to get depressed. When I start feeling down, I go to my kitchen or pick up some needles and yarn or a stick of lumber and begin planning something to make out of it. Whether the new project turns out the way I visualized it is not important; the action of making is the part I need. Sometimes I can sell something I make, which is nice, but many times the thing stays with me, and I often find things I've made and don't remember making them.

Your turn. Tell us why you make things, whether they be sporrans, boats, chocolate cakes, engines, model bridges, strap hinges or whatever.

David, you covered all the bases here, brother. I think that pretty much brings to light the reason why we DO make things. Because we can, want, and need to!

I still think we do it because we have a gift that was explored, not stored. How many times have you heard people say: "I wish I could do that." My answer is: "You can do it, or do something else, just as well, or even better."

[O'Searcaigh]

Not so much why I make things but one thing I've certainly learned from my various attempts is to really value the craftsmanship of others and to realize that if I am considering purchasing something from such a craftsman, what it really took to make it. In fact, I am sometimes amazed at how inexpensive some things are once you really realize what it takes to make them!!!

[Frank McGrath]

There is a joy in making things

Of imagining the completed project in your mind

Of shaping the raw materials

Of learning and adapting as you work

Of the intensity of focus at the work bench

Of the making the final stich, the last buffing, the final brush stroke

Of holding your creation to the light to admire it

Of the giving of something of yourself to a friend or loved one

Of using something unique for yourself

Of the pride of knowing that "I made this"



Jamie

And may I add...
Because I can.

[Ryan Ross]

My phone went to a watery grave, several months ago, and with it, the record of all of my friends' birthdays.

Fast forward to this morning. I realized that it was Crazy George's birthday today, just two days ago. He's a hard one to gift well to, and I always like to gift well. I was at a complete loss.

Then this morning, I had it- the night before, we had been talking about the strategies used when fighting in full harness. Now I've been a Budo man since I was, well, just a boy; George is one of these "Western Martial Arts" people.

I could kick myself for not taking a picture (I'll have to get George to take one), but I fired up my lathe for the first time in a loooong time, and turned him what I think is a very nice rondel dagger trainer. He was thrilled with it- really thrilled with it, even before he found out that I made it. And he's a difficult one to thrill.

So necessity may have been the mother, but the huge reward of making somebody happy was the important part.