A Challenge a Day...

My nearly finished second apprenticeship chair. All that’s needed is to attach the comb and apply a coat of white wax.

Kale Vogt
November 26, 2024

I try not to boast, and I try not to self-deprecate.

With that said, I’ve done a lot of growing that I’m proud of during my time (almost a year now) at Lost Art Press. But there is one thing that I’ve struggled with since the beginning of my woodworking journey and continue to struggle with today.

That thing is speed.

I’m slow. There, I said it.

I suppose a snail-like pace was expected early on in my apprenticeship, however, it seems that challenging myself to get faster is the next step.

That’s not to say Chris and Megan have been hounding me; it’s been my own internal dialogue and self-awareness that’s been pushing me forward. Since I’ve become more comfortable in my diverse responsibilities here, I see room for improvement.

Chair building is one thing. On my most recent chair I shaped my sticks with a spokeshave rather than a block plane. That proved to be more comfortable for my body and as a result – faster.

I’m beginning to get the hang of the order of operations, too. Legs, stretchers, seat, sticks, arm then comb. More or less in that order.

It all seems straightforward on paper until the actual shaping begins. In the beginning, it was easy for me to feel overwhelmed by all the tasks looming ahead. Now, through practice and understanding, I’m gradually becoming more efficient.

This is the first chair in which I decided to leave the tenons proud.

Now, writing – that’s another thing.

Of all the learning curves I’ve experienced during my time at Lost Art Press, becoming a “writer” has been the most trying.

Writing has never been my bag. I’ve never and maybe will never consider myself a writer.

Though, while the growing pains felt along my writing journey have been grueling at times, writing is also the area I’ve personally seen the most growth.

Through trial and error, I’ve developed rules for myself to aid in my writing: