A Day in the Workshop
There's something magical about a workshop in the early morning. The tools are still, the machines quiet, and the timber waiting patiently for another day of transformation. Let me take you through a typical day at our Ashmore Arts workshop, where every piece of furniture begins its journey.
Morning Light
The day begins as the sun peeks through the workshop windows, casting long shadows across the timber-strewn floor. First order of the day: opening up the big roller door to let in the fresh Torquay air and the distant sound of waves. There's a ritual to these first moments – setting up the dust extraction system, checking my tools are in their rightful places, and most importantly, brewing that first essential cup of coffee.
I take these quiet morning moments to review the day's project list and run my hands over the timber I'll be working with. Each piece has its own character, its own story to tell, and understanding the grain and texture helps inform how I'll approach the day's work.
Projects in Motion
One of the most challenging – and exciting – aspects of running a furniture workshop is juggling multiple projects at different stages. On any given day, you might find me:
Gluing up a dining table while the morning light is perfect for checking joints
Doing detailed hand planing on a nearly-finished sideboard
Starting the initial cuts for a new bedhead
Working on design drawings for upcoming commissions
Each project requires its own headspace, its own set of tools, and often its own specific timing. It's like conducting an orchestra where every piece needs to move forward in harmony.
The Rhythm of Making
By mid-morning, the workshop is humming with activity. The sweet scent of freshly cut timber fills the air, and sawdust dances in the sunbeams. This is when the real magic happens – when rough timber starts taking shape, when joints come together perfectly, when a piece starts revealing its final form.
But it's not all smooth sailing. Every day brings its own challenges:
A particularly stubborn piece of timber with grain running the wrong way
A joint that needs just a little more finesse
The constant tetris of workshop space management
The weather affecting timber movement and glue-up times
These challenges, though, are what make the triumphs so sweet. That moment when a joint fits perfectly, when a surface is planed to glass-like smoothness, or when a piece finally stands on its own legs for the first time – these are the moments that make it all worthwhile.
Creative Community
One of the joys of being at Ashmore Arts is the creative community that surrounds us. Throughout the day, there's often a friendly face popping in – perhaps Rowena from down the hall sharing her latest painting inspiration, or Geoffrey dropping by to discuss a potential collaboration. These interactions add a rich layer to our creative process and often spark new ideas.
Lunch breaks become impromptu creative meetings in the communal area, where discussions range from design techniques to sustainable practices. There's something incredibly energizing about being surrounded by other makers and artists, each pursuing their craft with passion.
Winding Down
As the afternoon light starts to soften, it's time to begin the end-of-day ritual. Each tool is cleaned and returned to its home, the floor is swept (although sawdust has a way of finding every nook and cranny), and the day's progress is documented with photos and notes.
Before closing up, I take a moment to review what's been accomplished and plan for tomorrow. Sometimes this means leaving a piece clamped overnight, setting up for an early morning glue-up, or preparing materials for the next day's work.
Finally, as the roller door comes down and the machines fall silent, there's a moment of quiet satisfaction. The workshop holds the day's efforts in the form of fresh-cut timber, half-finished pieces, and projects one step closer to completion.
The Day's End
Walking out of the workshop, often with sawdust still in my hair despite the protective gear, I carry with me the satisfaction of another day spent creating. Each day in the workshop is different, each brings its own challenges and victories, but all are part of the journey of creating furniture that will hopefully become part of people's lives for generations to come.
Tomorrow, we'll do it all again – and I can't wait.