don't do it yourself (sometimes)

In a culture that's increasingly dominated by a Do-It-Yourself spirit (which I am not condemning in any way), I think it's important to sit back sometimes and give the admiration that is due to master craftsmen, who make the decision to devote their lives to becoming a true expert in their field. If you're like me, then you struggle with wanting to be a jack-of-all-trades (and consequently a master of none), so I have a deep respect for these master craftsmen and women who sacrifice basic aptitude in myriad fields for true excellence in one.

Another burden falls on those who try to portray this level of excellence for the rest of us to appreciate. It takes another kind of master to capture and condense a lifetime (or many lifetimes) of experience and skill into a series of photos or a short video. I want to share a couple videos and photos that have overcome this obstacle and give us a glimpse of the life and work of master craftsmen.

The making of a classic Globe-Trotter suitcase:



The American Craftsman Project: This is a breathtaking series of photographs documenting a variety of American craftsmen.
http://americancraftsmanproject.com/

The making of an Alfred Dunhill Tradition Case:



Rick Hearne, a fine hardwoods dealer, talks about showing off the beauty of rare wood.
http://woodtreks.com/rick-hearne-never-tires-of-hidden-beauty-in-rare-logs/231/
The WoodTreks site features a huge selection of great videos on all things woodworking.