Mark Hennebury
Maybe its just frustration on my part, but i have seen many good woodworkers struggle and go out of business because of a lack of public appreciation of the incredible work that they do, and I have seen so many people with little knowledge and skill promoting themselves as the best craftsmen. I no longer do furniture for a living but it still bothers me lot. I would like to think that the trade would gain a wider understanding and appreciation for the good people that put so much effort into it. I know how hard that I worked to learn my trade and how much effort I put in to my work, and there is no recognition or acknowledgement and certainly no financial benefit, so at the end of the day there is no reason to do good work other than a hobby, which I find quite depressing. I know a lot make a living teaching, and the chosen few become famous, but It would be nice if you could earn living just doing good honest woodwork. Just to be able to have an honest evaluation system and say this work is good and this work is not and you choose what you want to make and the customers can choose what they want to buy. It may be an over simplification and just wishful thinking. but many other parts of our lifes have standards, not saying any of them work perfectly, but thought this might be a good place to get some input. Like you say, could be some kind of voluntary thing. Just thought I would throw it out there.