What a poignant and introspective analysis of your life...few people are willing to confront themselves in such an honest and direct manner. This sense of "genuineness" has been a hallmark feature of your teaching and demonstrations throughout the years....it is what I believe draws so many of your followers as they perceive "Follansbee" to be the genuine article. Thank so much for your willingness to share these details of your life which hopefully will inspire others to pursue a more positive path in life's challenging journey....Mike D.
Thank you for sharing your story. It provides a lot of context for me who assumed you had magically emerged from a fairy circle in the woods, fully formed and bearded with hewing hatchet in hand - stalking Terminator-like to the nearest clothesline and putting on the tie dye you found there. It is amazing how something like green woodworking can captivate a soul and ignite a beautiful career such as yours.
I am looking forward to the craft genealogy book. 2020 led me to discover your old blog and I read every post from first to last, twice. I found the projects, history and techniques fascinating, and I always enjoyed how you wrote fondly, and appreciatively about the people and connections that shaped your joiner’s journey.
Do you have any idea how long for the book to be out or is it still to early to know?
Thanks for sharing. We are the same age but I never did pot or drugs. I did have quite a few friends that went down the same path as you but ended in tragedy. I am very thankful that you saw the waste of human potential that pot brings with it. I am also thankful for the way you share your love for the craft. It is always inspiring to me.
Thanks for sharing. I imagine that is not easy for you. 17 was a tough age to lose your father. I'm glad you found your way to woodworking and research. You are really good at it. Sometimes we just need to find the right outlet for our mental energy.
I love the Daniel O’Hagan quote. You should lead with "There's a letter from Daniel...". You're too hard on yourself. You were obviously doing much more (than drugs) and learning the entire time. I'm a long time follower and have met you twice. I think of you as a teacher, professor, historian, master mechanic, jointer and a kind person. You are funny in a dry New England way. What you do is unique, unusual and committed to an ethos. You obviously feel a connection to people and tools from 300 years ago.
I visited the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and specifically thrilled to see work by you and James McNeill Whistler. What drew you to art in those early years? Maybe I should write your bio.
Safe travels! Please tell Drew and Louise that a former student said hi. I just passed along another copy of "Country Woodcraft" to an interested young person. That's sort of my version of furthering craft genealogy.
Peter this is a treat to read this afternoon. I really appreciate your genealogical notes, your own position inside this craft movement, and all the insights you share. Thanks for that.
Did you also inherit the de rigueur power tool of the '60s - the radial arm saw? You and I are the same age, and I underwent similar travails during the '70s & '80s. I had to wait until the present to undergo a Haganesque enlightenment and you are one of the figures who serve as a weather vane for my journey forward. I appreciate the time that you devote to this substack because it has a direct effect on me.
Peter...
What a poignant and introspective analysis of your life...few people are willing to confront themselves in such an honest and direct manner. This sense of "genuineness" has been a hallmark feature of your teaching and demonstrations throughout the years....it is what I believe draws so many of your followers as they perceive "Follansbee" to be the genuine article. Thank so much for your willingness to share these details of your life which hopefully will inspire others to pursue a more positive path in life's challenging journey....Mike D.
Thank you for sharing your story. It provides a lot of context for me who assumed you had magically emerged from a fairy circle in the woods, fully formed and bearded with hewing hatchet in hand - stalking Terminator-like to the nearest clothesline and putting on the tie dye you found there. It is amazing how something like green woodworking can captivate a soul and ignite a beautiful career such as yours.
Hi Peter,
I am looking forward to the craft genealogy book. 2020 led me to discover your old blog and I read every post from first to last, twice. I found the projects, history and techniques fascinating, and I always enjoyed how you wrote fondly, and appreciatively about the people and connections that shaped your joiner’s journey.
Do you have any idea how long for the book to be out or is it still to early to know?
Thanks for sharing. We are the same age but I never did pot or drugs. I did have quite a few friends that went down the same path as you but ended in tragedy. I am very thankful that you saw the waste of human potential that pot brings with it. I am also thankful for the way you share your love for the craft. It is always inspiring to me.
Thanks for sharing. I imagine that is not easy for you. 17 was a tough age to lose your father. I'm glad you found your way to woodworking and research. You are really good at it. Sometimes we just need to find the right outlet for our mental energy.
Love it! Heartfelt!
I remembered reading this biography. https://blog.lostartpress.com/2017/04/24/meet-the-author-peter-follansbee/
I love the Daniel O’Hagan quote. You should lead with "There's a letter from Daniel...". You're too hard on yourself. You were obviously doing much more (than drugs) and learning the entire time. I'm a long time follower and have met you twice. I think of you as a teacher, professor, historian, master mechanic, jointer and a kind person. You are funny in a dry New England way. What you do is unique, unusual and committed to an ethos. You obviously feel a connection to people and tools from 300 years ago.
I visited the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and specifically thrilled to see work by you and James McNeill Whistler. What drew you to art in those early years? Maybe I should write your bio.
Safe travels! Please tell Drew and Louise that a former student said hi. I just passed along another copy of "Country Woodcraft" to an interested young person. That's sort of my version of furthering craft genealogy.
Peter this is a treat to read this afternoon. I really appreciate your genealogical notes, your own position inside this craft movement, and all the insights you share. Thanks for that.
This post captures what makes your genealogy project compelling: humility and gratitude.
Did you also inherit the de rigueur power tool of the '60s - the radial arm saw? You and I are the same age, and I underwent similar travails during the '70s & '80s. I had to wait until the present to undergo a Haganesque enlightenment and you are one of the figures who serve as a weather vane for my journey forward. I appreciate the time that you devote to this substack because it has a direct effect on me.
Peter,
As always, Thanks for this intro! As always, thank you for sharing.
I am really looking forward to buying the book.
Would you please include an index for those of us who like to browse back and forth.
Pete
Awesome Peter. Looking forward to this book.
I really enjoyed reading this.
Excellent.