Winter, Work, and What’s Next

I realized recently that I haven’t posted here since January 3rd. It’s now February 11th.

That may look like inactivity from the outside, but it hasn’t felt that way.

Winter changes the rhythm of the shop. My workspace isn’t heated for fine woodworking this time of year, and when temperatures drop, glue slows, finishes hesitate, and productivity becomes more effort than progress. Rather than fight it, I’ve learned to work with the season.

Woodworking is a creative interaction between tools, space, and material. When one of those elements steps back — in this case, the space — the others step forward. This has been a season of sharpening tools, organizing lumber, refining finishes, sketching new designs, and thinking carefully about direction. That process is creative too. It’s quieter, but it’s not idle.

At the same time, I’ve become more active locally through work with the town and support for community efforts. This feels like an important season to show up. Helping strengthen the place you live matters. Not everything worth building is made of wood. Sometimes you build relationships. Sometimes you build trust. That work has value too.

None of this feels like stepping away from Vital Woodcraft. It feels like strengthening the foundation.

Spring projects are already taking shape. Cedar planters are high on the list — durable, practical pieces meant for gardens and porches. I’m exploring other garden-related builds as well, along with a few designs that lend themselves to smarter volume production without sacrificing quality. Alongside those will be fine craft pieces: slab tables and smaller furniture in cherry, oak, and white ash. The material is here. It’s beautiful. It’s ready.

The work hasn’t stopped. It’s gathering momentum.

When the temperature rises, production will follow naturally. The ideas are forming. The lumber is stacked and waiting. Spring always brings motion.

For now, I’m grateful for the rhythm — civic work, preparation, sharpening tools, and steady planning. Building isn’t always about speed. Sometimes it’s about timing.

The shop is alive. So am I. And there’s good work ahead.