Lula James Workshop

`

Introduction

Having spent a significant part of the previous week talking about abstract Quantum Computing problems it was a joy to take a brake and focus on something more tangible. I was lucky enough to attended a weekend woodworking course hosted by Lula James - a Christmas gift I finally got a chance to redeem.

It was a great introduction to woodworking with hand tools but also a challenge to my current, very digital, work.¹ The workshop was a testament to the mindfulness and strategy involved in working with hand tools - something that is lost when you can simply undo, or delete, mistakes on a computer.

The Course

Upon arriving to the workshop, located in a beautiful part of south Oxford, I was warmly welcomed by Daisy and Andrew. The little things here matter - freshly pressed coffee, fruit and pastries were well presented and highlighted the value proposition here. Waiting for the other four attendees to arrive it was great to understand more about the business Daisy and Andrew had built.

They day started by creating a door stop - a simple form but one that allowed us to get hands on with the tool. Then we build a phone holder followed by a plant pot holder - learning about cross and T joints.

Hands on with chisels, marker, saws and wood planes was great. No fingers were damaged! By the end we were varnishing, chamfering and gluing - ending the day with a set of handmade pieces to take home.

Digital and Analogue

Over the years, I’ve discovered strategies that have significantly enhanced my efficiency with digital tools. Shortcuts, work rounds and little fixes that, when combined, means I can get things done quick. I do not have the same experience in this space. It is this that I wanted to explore during this experience - what could I learn in terms of little tricks and tips that might help? Just as in the digital space, I did this by jumping in, making mistakes and asking for help. On reflection perhaps more help should have been sought earlier.

The workshop was more than just an introduction to woodworking; it was an invitation to see physical work through a new lens - the same lens we use in the digital space. A safe space to make mistakes and attempt some new things. It was as close to the comfort of an “undo” button as is possible in the real world!

The value of such an experience cannot be overstated. It was not just about learning to use hand tools but about embracing a whole new way of thinking about making things by hand.

Summary

This was a highly enjoyable and worthwhile workshop - I cannot recommend highly enough and compliment to our tutors for the great product they put out. Link to their site below.

Taking time to be mindful and work in the real work was a joy and something I want to make time for moving forward.