There’s always one bit…

On pretty much every table I’ve made, there always seems to be one bit of the wood that is an absolute f*cking nightmare.

There is usually more than one bit that is a nightmare in the whole process, especially if I’m finishing off resin, but with the wood itself, there always seems to be one bit that won’t behave.

I usually find it when I’m just thinking how well everything is going and that I’m going to have this table done in no time.

Then I find it. It might be a trench of soft wood I wasn’t expecting, or I’m sanding an edge and a piece just breaks off, or just a bit of wood that doesn’t want to do what I’m trying to do to it.

So I sit and think about it, try a few things, probably make it worse, sit and have another think, maybe work on another bit of the table and come back to it. Have a crack at it, then decide to do something completely different to it etc.etc.

Most of the time, (when it’s not one of the rare occasions it’s f*cking things up completely) they end up being my favourite part of the table.

I’ve had to spend time with it, really think about it, put all of my limited skill and craft into finding a solution to it. Maybe the bit of edge falling off has meant I’ve decided to change the whole sweep of the edge for the better, or it’s revealed an even more beautiful section of wood, maybe working with the soft woof has created a spot of real character, or I’ve taken it all out and there is now a more interesting shape or I’ve filled it with resin.

I love that what initially seems like a complete disaster can end up being the best/most interesting part of the table. Or it can just be a f*cking disaster 😅.