A client in Denver asked me why I never leave any marks on my work

I was dropping off a restored oak dresser last month, and the client, an older guy who used to do woodwork himself, said something that stuck with me. He pointed at the piece and said, 'It's perfect, but it looks like it just came from a factory. Where's your hand?' I told him I always sand everything smooth and buff out any tool marks for a clean finish. He just nodded and said, 'I guess I miss seeing a little ripple in the shellac or a faint sanding scratch that shows a person did it. It tells a story.' I've been thinking about that for weeks now. I built my whole business on flawless, machine-like results, but maybe that's not what everyone wants. Has anyone else had a client ask for less-than-perfect finishes on purpose?

2 comments

2 Comments

maryh9613d ago

Is it maybe about the difference between fixed and lived in? Like a factory piece is done, sealed off. But a hand made thing should feel like it's still alive, like it could keep changing with the family that uses it. A tiny mark isn't a mistake, it's proof it was touched. It makes it part of a home, not just a showroom. I mean idk, but that guy might have been saying your perfect finish feels a little lonely.

gibson.mark13d agoTop Commenter

Totally get what you're saying.