My Journey with Instagram and Woodworking
You know, it’s funny how a little app on your phone can change your whole game, especially when it comes to woodworking. I remember sitting in my garage one rainy afternoon, the smell of fresh pine lingering in the air as I messed around with a piece of cedar I’d found in the scraps. I’d heard that Instagram was a big deal for people like me—woodworkers, makers, you know the type. But honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first. I assumed it was just a lot of pictures of fancy projects that I’d never be able to replicate.
But there I was, scrolling through my feed while waiting for the glue on my latest project to set. I caught myself thinking, “Why not?” So, I decided to give it a shot. Little did I know, this app would turn out to be both a blessing and a curse.
The First Post—Oh Boy!
I remember my first post. It was a modest little jewelry box. Nothing fancy, really. Just some oak and walnut scraps glued together and sanded down (well, mostly sanded—there were a few rough spots I wanted to gloss over). I took a photo, half-expecting nothing to happen, and hit “share.” Moments later, my heart raced as those little red dots signaling “likes” started popping up. I can still hear my grandma in my head saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” But boy, did I feel like a kid on Christmas!
But, oh man, the comments! Some were helpful—“nice joinery!” and “what finish did you use?”—but a couple were downright snarky. Someone pointed out the uneven edges, and I thought, “Geez, buddy, thanks for raining on my parade!” It made me second-guess everything. I almost gave up, thinking, “What’s the point if I’m just gonna get critiqued?”
Learning Curves—and Mistakes
So, I kept at it, even as I learned the hard way that not all wood is created equal. I tried to carve an intricate design in some soft pine for another project, thinking, “This will be easy!” But that pine laughed at me. The grain tore and splintered, and I felt like I was trying to tame a wild animal. I ended up with more dust in my lungs than I anticipated and a half-finished carving that looked more like a modern art piece gone wrong. I still remember the taste of sawdust in my mouth—I could almost get high off it.
But that failure? It stung, but it also taught me something valuable: pick your wood wisely. After a long week, I settled on some cherry for my next project, guided by my gut and those Instagram folks who kept sharing their wins. It had the kind of rich color and delightful smell I just couldn’t resist. So, there I was, gluing and clamping, singing along to some old Johnny Cash, and let me tell you, it felt right.
The Community Vibe
And here’s where Instagram really started shining. I found a community. It was like stepping into a woodworking convention without leaving my garage. I connected with folks from all walks of life—some pros, some just like me, and others who had dreams bigger than their tools. We joked and exchanged ideas through comments and direct messages. There was this sense of camaraderie I didn’t know I was missing in my little town.
I traded tips about woodworking tools—kept my eye out for new chisels. I was enamored with the sound they made slicing through wood. You ever listen to a sharp chisel take a shavings? Pure music. It’s like a symphony of creation right there in your ears. Ok, maybe I’m waxing poetic, but if you’ve been in the zone, you know what I mean.
A Project That Worked
Eventually, I tackled a dining table. Not just any dining table but one that was supposed to be fit for family dinners, holiday gatherings—full of laughter and maybe a spilled drink or two. I chose a lovely slab of walnut with a deep, chocolaty hue. The smell of it being cut was intoxicating. I got my hands on a good jointer, and I nearly cried when it worked like a charm, leveling off those edges perfectly.
When I finally brought it inside, my wife just stood there, eyes wide. “You did this?” she asked, and I felt like a million bucks. I snapped a photo, of course, and shared it on Instagram. This time, the likes and comments poured in, affirming something I deeply needed to hear—yeah, I could do this!
Lessons Learned
Looking back, I’m glad I persevered. There’s something so grounding about working with your hands, turning raw materials into something beautiful. I learned not just about woodworking but also about the joy of sharing my journey, both ups and downs, on Instagram. I’ve met folks who inspire me—who give me courage to try new techniques or even tackle my fear of using a router.
So, if you’re on the fence about sharing your woodwork or even just starting out with your first project, let me tell you: just go for it. Yeah, you’ll have your mistakes, your missteps, but they’re part of the story. Engage with the community, soak in all those experiences, and trust me, you might just find a little piece of yourself right there in those shavings scattered across your shop floor.
Life’s too short to worry about perfection. Just keep building, keep cutting, and don’t forget to document. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much you learn from both your work and the people watching. So, grab your tools, fire up the Instagram, and let’s see what you can create!
