I'm a Maker Because...
Miniviews series - No. 35 with Matt & Luke
You’ve landed on the thirty-fifth installment of the Maker Miniviews (mini, two question interviews) series. Learn more about these maker interviews and view a list of all Miniviews.
Matt & Luke (Lucky Bob) of Lucky Bob Woodcraft - a father and son carpentry shop in Burlington, Vermont. Whether it’s custom client work or home repairs, it’s great to see this father (Matt) and son (Luke) enjoying their quality time together just as much as the actual woodworking.
Check out this interview with Matt and his son Luke.
What inspires you to keep making things?
"My inspiration comes from teaching my three year old apprentice. Lucky Bob and I come from a long line of woodworkers and jacks-of-all-trades. Our favorite tools have been passed from father to son over 100+ years. Every time I hold those tools I feel a connection to our history and it drives me to continue the tradition.
When I started my business it made sense to use my son's nickname because my first priority in this venture was to share it with him. Each week we set aside time for one project to teach him a new skill. He picks what he wants to make and I come up with a creative way for us to build it together. For a kid who can't write his name he's pretty handy on the drill press. Of the two of us, I'm not sure who's more proud of the work he does."
What one piece of advice would you give to other makers?
"My advice for new makers is to find something that interests you and figure out a way to start making it. Your first attempt may not be a beauty but you'll learn from it and your second will be better.
Don't slow yourself down by thinking you can't do it, or worse, that you could do it if only you bought that top-dollar tool everyone seems to be using on Instagram. Millions of makers came before us and found ways to make masterpieces through trial and error. If they can do it, we can do it."
Like Lucky Bob, Matt started learning the craft of woodworking with his Dad. As he spoke to, it’s important to him to be utilizing that family heirloom tool collection that have seen constant use over the past hundred years.
Matt enjoys passing on his woodworking experience to Lucky Bob, experience which ranges from rough construction to fine furniture building and restoration, and beyond.
"Millions of makers came before us and found ways to make masterpieces through trial and error..." — Matt Williams
Check out The Lucky Bob website and Facebook Page.
Thank you all for reading this article, now get out there and make things!
