Sky's the Limit - Where Creative Talent can Flourish

  Amidst the squeal of trains, bumping haphazardly into one another, there is a sound of saws. This is where I find peace and time to think. There is a woodshop that looks onto the tracks called railtown wood co-op, and I am one of their newest members. Railtown wood co-op is run and maintained by woodworking enthusiasts, who generally barely cover costs by sales of their goods, if they cover them at all. And yet, the rented benches are still in high demand. I personally am in love with the shop because of the encouragement and easy access to knowledge I gain from the other members. It’s a small collective, 9 benches serve a group of mostly young males. All the large tools are there that otherwise are hard to access. It deliciously smells like sawdust and cedar, and I find pleasure in getting as covered in wood bits as possible, with the by-product of often coming home with wood-glue in my hair.

When I first started at the shop I had basic experience with the tools and was quite nervous. Nerves gave way to over confidence and the first day there I cut my finger on the jointer, a spinning

blade of death, and went home feeling humbled. Since then, with the guidance to the wood guru and shop commander, James, I have learned so much about technique and what is possible (anything I am told.) Sky’s the limit! So I continue on, thinking of what would be neat, trying to start it, failing, learning, asking for help, and succeeding. I have been able to churn out a few headboards, herb planters, and miscellaneous small things with moderate success. I have sold a few items, and have trouble keeping up with demand these days (thanks mom.)

I began the journey into woodworking after a bit of a scare, and it has been immensely satisfying to follow through with one of those ‘some day’ plans.

So my experience with communal work space has been a generally positive one.

It is a community that fosters sharing of both creative energy and technique. Which in turn is manifested in wood products that are an expression of you, as well as have a function…if all goes well.

Oh yeah! Being a student of environmental science and a resident of one of the greenest cities on earth, my products strive to be as green as possible. Pine is my common wood, which otherwise wood decay because of the mountain-pine beetle epidemic, and all stains are environmentally friendly and LEED certified.

- Marni