Woodworking: Turning a piece of wood into art

One of the oldest crafts in the world, woodworking can be described as the art of creating, with the help of tools, something out of different types of wood. In today's world the ancient craft has become a very popular hobby and a lucrative profession as well. Woodworking is for those who are looking for a relaxing and still exciting leisure time activity.

As a hobby, woodworking can bring several hours of recreation and relaxation, but it is safe to say once you get sawdust in your hair it is hard to get it out. The thrill of creating something out of wood can be different for everyone. While some enjoy doing the actual woodworking, some prefer to collect beautiful wooden works art and restore them. After you choose what type of woodworking you prefer, it is time to get started.

Getting started:

Starting a hobby like woodworking can be difficult and expensive. But the best way to start is by buying a small set of tools to begin. This way you can accumulate a tool box gradually by knowing what is needed instead splurging on unnecessary tools. A plus side to buying tools is that one tool may have more than one use. For example, curves can be accomplished by using either a saber saw or a scroll saw.

Woodworking starter kits generally consist of parts for making beginner wood work, such as bird houses or planters. So buying a kit is best for learning your abilities and deciding whether to pursue the hobby further.

Some people prefer to attend a woodworking workshop to get started. These workshops are great as they help one become familiar with the general aspects of woodworking such as handling tools, being able to recognize different types of wood and learning essential safety tips. One of the many workshops you can attend for woodworking in Istanbul is the Woodencrafts workshop in Cihangir. There are also many workshops that the city halls offer for free. Explore the options on the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality website: http://ismek.ibb.gov.tr

There is also an abundance of woodworking guide books that will help you start. "The Complete Manual of Woodworking" by Albert Jackson, "Woodworking Basics" by Peter Korn and "I Can Do That! Woodworking Projects" by Popular Woodworking Editors are just a few.

Picking the right type of wood is just as important as picking the right tools. Woodworking uses wood that can be quite expensive so when starting the hobby, go for cheaper woods such as pine. Pine is also a soft wood, which is perfect for beginners. After learning to handle the tools you can move on to harder woods such as poplar. If you plan to work with painted projects, choose medium density fiberboard (MDF) or plywood made from Baltic birch, which is convenient to work.

For wood lovers who are in it for the long run, a home workshop is essential. Most people start off by using the corner of their basement or garage to set up a workbench. Generally, two workbenches are preferred as they are used differently, one for the rough work and the other for final touches. The most important part of a home workshop is having an air ventilation and dust collection system as the dust build up can cause both health and fire hazards.

While it may seem overwhelming and intimidating at first, woodworking is sure to be a calming and relieving leisure time activity for wood lovers. Do not be scared to start the first project. It does not have to be something extravagant or costly; you can simply make small gifts for friends or family. Once you start, you will become more creative and you will not be able to stop.

History of woodcarving in Anatolia

The history of woodcarving in Anatolia dates back to the Seljuk Empire. Seljuks used wood for architecture. In later years, wood was decorated and used to make carved ceilings, columns, doors, windows and cabinet doors.

The art of woodcarving reached its peak in the Ottoman Empire era. It appears in columns, window frames, doors, balconies, mosques and their specific designs, ceilings, covering for the Quran, dower chests and many other places.

Today, woodcarving still appears in different part of Anatolia without losing its traditional features. Many artifacts have survived to the present day. It is also possible to see many artifacts of carved wood in museums.