I have been doing woodworking for several years now. Even though watching videos on how to do this stuff has been helpful, there is almost no woodworking masters that teach in person classes. I am sure I would be a million times better at this craft if there were. I even wonder how many true craftsmen/women are left. In addition, most of the popular YouTube woodworkers are not masters nor have they been taught by one so you don’t know if what they are teaching you is any good. Thus, making woodworking an art that is being lost.
There are a few community colleges that have classes/associate degrees in woodworking. But, you can guess you either need to live near the college and be able to afford it. I remember when community college was only $25 per credit hour making it affordable for everyone.
Another problem is the cost of wood. The only way to make a really good living as a woodworker is to mass produce. When you mass produce that art and uniqueness of each piece starts to disappear. The beauty of woodworking is the ability to put hours into a piece and be able to make a profit without have to charge everyone an arm and a leg for it.
Is there any way to revive woodworking as an art and craft by having it taught by true master crafts folk that can travel around the country and/or world? This should include those from Japan as Japanese joinery is amazing. The more people who are trained the more people they can train, and the more people they can train. Thus reviving what is now being lost around the world. While making it affordable for the maker and the buyer.
I am not a financial nor business person, so I have no idea how best to do this. I am sure someone else does.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jules