The most essential aspect of this craft is, of course, the wood. But with the hundreds of thousands of varieties worldwide, it would be challenging to narrow down if you’re an absolute beginner. 

Fortunately, we have the Seattle-based Ebanista School of Fine Woodworking to guide us. If you want to learn the craft, you can start with fir, maple, cherry, oak, sycamore, or ash. 

These wood variants provide structural integrity and density and offer a full-color aesthetic palette.

Woodworking can be approached as a profession or, as seen in some photos, as a hobby. As strenuous as it may seem, it provides stress relief. 

In an article for Family Handyman, author and homesteader Chris Deziel described how woodworking can be relaxing and a creative outlet. Seeing your work come alive may be enough to uplift the spirits. 

“[It] lets you manifest your imagination in the real world, boosting your confidence and self-worth,” he wrote. 

Woodworking is as much a mental activity as it is physical. For starters, it involves a lot of measuring and mathematics outside of the classroom. As Deziel points out, it keeps the mind nimble. 

But perhaps its most practical benefit is that it saves you money. Many pieces of top-quality wood furniture may cost you an arm and a leg. Why burn through your bank account if you can build one yourself? The nice thing is that you can also be creative with the design.

Woodworking may also be a beneficial activity for kids, and Philadelphia’s The School in Rose Valley has made it part of the curriculum. The school believes it can help youngsters practice perseverance, develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and learn discipline. 

“The desire to make things is so general in children that they are willing to go through much hard work to reach their ends,” said Principal Grace Rotzel.

Now, it’s your turn, readers. Which of these photos fascinated you the most? Did it give you a new perspective on woodworking as an art and a craft? We’d love to know your thoughts in the comments section!