Wood is a gift of nature humankind has benefited from since the dawn of civilizations. Easy to work with and firm enough to use for creating a wide range of various items, not only is it an eco-friendly material, but speaking in terms of the sheer appreciation for beautiful things, it’s extremely aesthetically pleasing and suits any design perfectly.
You’d be surprised how many things can be made of wood and how many special techniques for woodworking there are.
Houses, jewelry, musical instruments, kitchenware, and even accessories like bags or watches can be made of wood!
With an approach imaginative enough and a drop of talent for crafting, you can make anything.
Besides, the prices of wooden goods depend on the type of tree you use, so no matter your budget, you can always find the type of timber you can afford. For example, if you are on a budget, softwoods like pine or fir are your best choice.
Oak, maple, mahogany, and walnut, for instance, are fancier, so if you are aiming for something chic and elegant, you should consider these options.
And for those who love to go extra with everything, a variety of exotic trees are available on the market, such as rosewood, ebony, zebrawood (yes, just imagine the pattern!), or purpleheart. These materials scream luxury and style.
No matter your budget and preferences, you can always find something to your liking.
That’s why woodworking is something we should all try at least once.
Luckily, anyone can start learning this incredible form of art from a very young age. Even at schools, children are sometimes provided with the basics of working with wooden materials. Moreover, there are many various classes and workshops you can attend to pick up on this incredible craft.
So, how do we use trees during our arts and crafts classes nowadays?
Carving
Wood carving is one of the most ancient arts known to have existed. Many historical findings prove that ancient people used carving as a form of art, making beautiful figurines, or just a hobby for entertainment and making toys for children. There is also evidence that crafting religion-related items such as idols was a common practice. Even after millennia, carving remains a popular hobby among crafters, and there are a lot of places you can study it.
Pyrography
Pyrography (also called wood burning) is another ancient art that has been practiced by Egyptians and African tribes since the dawn of recorded history. Some historians even believe that it was practiced long before the appearance of civilizations known to us.
Despite its ancient roots, wood burning is still taught worldwide and attracts the attention of many creative enthusiasts. Pyrography is literally translated from Greek as “writing with fire.”
What can be cooler than that? Just with one decent wood-burning kit, you can learn how to draw patterns on wooden surfaces and decorate furniture or any wooden item of your choice.
Making Furniture
Being a perfect construction material, wood gives you a chance to make any piece of furniture you’d like to have. In classes, newbies usually start with easy pieces like shelves, stools, and small side tables, but with more practice, you will learn how to make beds, cabinets, closets, and even rocking chairs (just imagine chilling in one of these in your spacious living room by a fireplace).
Crafting Useful Kitchen and Homeware Items
If you are on a budget, let’s say a straggling student, woodworking classes can save you dozens if not hundreds of dollars not only by making your own furniture but also by helping you equip your living space with everything you need without having to buy anything but some low-cost materials.
In woodwork lessons, you can learn how to craft such basic things as key holders, wooden cups, mugs, plates, and many more.
This and some useful budget-saving tips from lazygastronome can save you much more than you think.
Decorating
When it comes to interior design, trees are literally our best friends. Bark, leaves, branches, wood – everything can be used to create items of exquisite beauty. Not only are such pieces beautiful, but they also give you the feeling of being one with nature, even when living in concrete jungles.
Nature calms, making any living place cozier. That’s why workshops on creating wooden decorative pieces are so popular among kids and even adults. There, you can learn how to make clocks, wooden wall art, elegant chess sets, and many more unique things to fit your rustic interior.
Making Musical Instruments
For a musician, a customized musical instrument made of high-quality wood is a dream come true. Using wood to make musical instruments is an old tradition that is still relevant to this day. Drums, African marimbas, guitars, pianos – all of these things can be made with your own hands after some proper woodwork training.
Creating Accessories
Is metal not your cup of tea? Do you feel more like a forest fairy and want to vibe with your realm? Then, you can learn to craft beautiful wooden necklaces, rings, and earrings to strengthen your connection with nature and add some creativity to your style.
Still have doubts if you can create such beautiful things using wood with no prior experience? Worry not. A journey of a thousand miles begins with only one step. Best professional scholarship essay writers started small. Best sportsmen started with the easiest exercises. By joining woodworking classes, you can easily learn the basics and make woodworking a very rewarding and useful hobby of yours.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic
Senior Content Creator
Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering jewelry, accessories, and trends. She’s also works with services, home décor. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the environment, crafts and natural products over the years helps her continue to be a top expert at Wooden Earth.
