tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77990196424213769312012-02-29T03:33:13.732-08:00"The Analytical mind will not carry us far. Taking to pieces is the trade of those who cannot construct. In a healthy mind, the love of wholes, the power of generalizing, is usually joined with a keen appreciation of differences" Emerson.Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-77126245243678575112011-10-21T18:29:00.000-07:002011-10-21T18:29:45.506-07:00

I've been away for quite a while, just no time for writing and thinking about the trades. I hope to be able to add some constructive elements. I've been working full time as an electrician, long hours, plus part time business, so an adjustment is welcome. Cheers.

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-68643017153320550642011-10-21T18:06:00.000-07:002011-10-21T18:06:20.779-07:00

Here's an article worth reading on the long-standing issue of guidance counsellors' under-representing skilled trades to prospective students. The author suggests that the situation is improving, but not all commenters are in agreement. The conversation also was divided on the struggles of many tradespeople to sustain employment and reasonable wages and benefits as compared to comparable work.

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-84122688062694026152010-03-23T17:13:00.000-07:002010-03-23T17:13:36.745-07:00

Very pleased to share in the inaugural issue of the Canadian apprenticeship Council's new print and on-line journal. I've an article in it on apprenticeships, hope it provides enlightenment on the experience of being "new on the block". http://www.caj-jca.ca/index.php/caj-jca/issue/current Check it out!

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-53985004145244655712010-01-12T02:00:00.000-08:002010-01-12T02:00:12.851-08:00

http://wisdomofhands.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-hate-learning.html I highly recommend this post by Doug Stowe. Excellent reflection on learning with the hands. Am also reading through Richard Sennett's book "The Craftsman" for a review soon. Very good material.

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-48843593197126676812010-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:002010-01-11T06:50:58.712-08:00

 The reality of replacing retiring tradespeople is likely, as it seems to me at present, settling down to two groups; those trades such as auto mechanics which lend themselves to two or three full time stints at tech school, and apprenticeships. A couple of guys I've talked to recently are mid-thirties and have gone through an obstacle course to get into an apprenticeship and stay employed.

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-64719930743970832392009-12-06T21:36:00.000-08:002009-12-06T21:36:11.262-08:00

I've been on a learning curve about these ratios. The link below is to a Connecticut based research article that seems to indicate fair uniformity for electrical, plumbing and HVAC trades. They typically start out 1:1 for a self employed tradesman, 2:2, 3:5 etc. For greater numbers, the ratio becomes 3:1. End result? Big contractors need to hire more journeymen as they grow. The panic has started

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-57654769168004445002009-12-04T16:57:00.000-08:002009-12-04T16:57:30.361-08:00

Here's a site worth checking out; designed for professional electricians, it has job listings and items of interest to tradespeople. Take a look! getelectricianjobs.com

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-48774308744677858362009-11-23T18:05:00.000-08:002009-11-23T18:06:58.426-08:00

I've posted a couple times about the new Ontario College of Trades recently instituted by the McGinty government. One of the first issues to be tackled is the 3:1 ratio of journeymen to apprentices. In my day the ratio was 1:1, and with all the concern about boomers like myself retiring, there is no way to graduate new journeymen, considering the attrition rate between sign-up and completion,

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-73899649927968234152009-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:002009-11-15T13:26:08.640-08:00

ElectricalAdvice Orillia is a new blog I've started, with a dual purpose; to pass on some of my experience to people living in the area of Orillia, Ontario who are thinking about electrical installations and upgrades in their homes. It won't be a "how-to" for the do-it-yourselfer, but about assisting in making wise decisions. It's also about promoting my electrical contracting business. That

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-20852802067614939272009-11-04T15:39:00.000-08:002009-11-04T15:56:10.126-08:00

As I was working today on a medium sized commercial construction site, a $15m project with about 30 union and non-union workers installing steel studs and drywall, exterior stone work and electrical, I thought about what I had been reading and about what the guys on the job thought of it. I might ask the site super tomorrow if he knows anything about it, but apart from him I doubt any have heard

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-74107312821760482262009-11-01T19:28:00.000-08:002009-11-03T14:24:44.896-08:00

Legislation has just been passed in the Province of Ontario that sets up a new body to govern and promote skilled trades. This new organisation parallels existing self governing bodies for lawyers, doctors and teachers, and is supposed to better trades conditions and regulate apprenticeship ratios and who may be certified to work in both restricted and non-restricted trades.As a tradesman who

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-66457032799181573302009-09-20T17:54:00.000-07:002009-09-20T18:16:09.761-07:00

http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/schedule/26season_video.html2612 Old Woodworking MachinesBeautiful belt-driven nineteenth century machines still make window sashes in this New York shop.I'm 60, not 160, but tonight I feel like it; transported back to my childhood. I wrote earlier about growing up in a small Ontario town next to a blacksmith shop, and riding a horse drawn milk wagon home from

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-30516445790900020102009-09-20T05:51:00.000-07:002009-09-20T18:41:17.520-07:00

These photos are of the main electrical room of a large country home, where I was asked to clean up the work of a previous contractor. 400 amp main service, seven panels throughout the house and several control system panels, and a lot of buried wiring. The first task took over 40 hours in 4 days, to tear apart the entire existing service as shown in the bottom picture, "during" in the middle

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-88883251967777194352009-09-20T05:46:00.000-07:002009-09-20T15:04:56.633-07:00

http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/new-wainscot-chair/#comment-821I'll let Peter comment. Speaks well for craft work today to know artisan's like him work so arduously at meticulous restoration of "lost arts". All with hand tools only.

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-29007696958589060352009-09-15T18:09:00.000-07:002009-09-15T18:11:20.561-07:00

I thought it might be interesting to put myself back in the place of a new apprentice for a moment. It doesn’t hurt, once in a while, to remember what it’s like on the first day. I well remember mine. There was more serendipity involved than careful career choice for me. My father was a carpenter as well as a minister, had been an air force mechanic; and I spent six years filling shelves in

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-10906880880147314912009-09-15T02:47:00.000-07:002009-09-15T02:55:25.809-07:00

An atavist is a term sometimes used to refer to someone who endeavours to reintroduce methods and ideas as they were used in the past. One individual who illustrates atavism in a very interesting and positive way is PeterFollansbe (http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/ ). Since picking up the interest during in the 1970's, Peter has focused on researching, practicing and teaching how to work with

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-56053688344307177812009-09-07T08:27:00.000-07:002009-09-13T04:31:14.170-07:00

The results of craftwork have been admired since antiquity; but not always the doing. The ancient Greeks openly disdained hand work. A Chinese Emperor from around the Eleventh Century made a point of trying to learn some of the trade secrets of the artisans within his realm, whose work attracted his admiration and fascination; to little avail. Visitors to pioneer villages, where demonstrations

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-10270236674687483782009-09-05T03:02:00.000-07:002009-09-13T04:37:57.353-07:00

I've just been given the link to a very interesting site, and i'd like to pass it on. (Thanks Kari)[url]http://www.toolemera.com/[/url] This site, dedicated to old books and literature, features reprints of a very old book by Joseph Moxon on trades methods. It is considered by the site host to be the first printed book on trades skills, something we now take for granted. In 1703 there would be

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-9637889811010336012009-08-29T08:48:00.000-07:002009-08-29T08:58:29.713-07:00

I don't know how wide spread self-awareness is, of individuals being aware of what they are doing; but I do feel acheiving mastery is very much universally experienced to some degree. One of the things that separates craftworkers from others, apart from seeing visible results at the end of the day, is owning one's own skills, ability and competence. A factory or office worker, and also a great

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-17060301187628461942009-08-21T17:50:00.000-07:002009-08-21T17:54:06.645-07:00

I thought I'd share a post I just did on RC Forum, great set of discussions right now on the historical aspect of carpentry.When I was a lad, my dad had a tool chest of 1/2' G1S fir plywood, as I recall, built as a box about 8" wide, maybe 18" high, by about 28" outside, cut after building, piano hinge installed so that side folded down, with storage for handsaw, chisels, etc. My dad also had a

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-88376834585340113022009-08-21T03:24:00.000-07:002009-08-21T03:35:24.311-07:00

I'd like to share and comment on a post I made on a forum this morning.Some years ago, as an electrician, I as called in to a service all in downtown Toronto, to a small but very busy print shop which was beginning to change to automated print machines, but still had a few that were manually fed. One of several run by one particular operator/ master printer had been set up to print engraved

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-28633404282459031252009-08-20T02:27:00.000-07:002009-08-20T03:02:03.992-07:00

At my last place of employment, I was fortunate to get to know a motorcycle mechanic who taught at a community college in the Canadian mid-west, and also travels all summer to teach Harley-Davidson mechanics in Ontario and Quebec. He also had an extensive collection of antique motorcycles. As I usually do when I meet any experienced tradesman, I sounded him out to see if he had done any thinking

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-38745192800765196422009-08-14T18:01:00.001-07:002009-08-14T18:08:22.983-07:00

This little girls is Papa's pride and joy. Cassis loves water, boats, and showing off to Gramma. Which is only fair, since Papa loves showing her off too. Sometimes her mother is just a tad envious of the attention we give her; she has asked us if we only come to see Cassis. Don't tell her; but she is only partly right.

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-75818170853579512152009-08-14T14:20:00.000-07:002009-08-20T03:02:39.115-07:00

http://aconcordcarpentercomments.blogspot.com/2009/07/return-to-skilled-trade-education.htmlI was directed to this blog by a friend at MikeRoweWorks, Whiterose, and I'm glad I was. I'll let him tell his story; Cop and Carpenter ~ started both at same time and liked them both enough to continue them as parallel occupations. I write about what I know... I'm a cop and carpenter, a husband, a father

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-19938463056291933922009-08-11T19:25:00.000-07:002009-08-14T17:06:08.042-07:00

The pictures below were posted on RC Forum under "General discussion, Main Forum".I asked for lessons learned from older construction, and the "Loneframer", a widely respected master framer from the NYC area, submitted them and contributed to a discussion on some rather unique framing methods. The framing method was almost like an early version of a roof truss. Here's some of the discussion."One

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-21132493400689314972009-08-11T14:40:00.000-07:002009-08-11T16:23:25.847-07:00

I'd like to share a post I entered on mrWorks recently in which I reminiced on my childhood and astudy that relates to a link posted on that forum, http://www.dfoggknives.com/wayof.htm take a look at what this chap has written.I'm not normally a links guy, but for me personally you've struck gold on this one. First with a childhood memory, second with an important text book I bought in a

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-68847085944642218652009-08-03T15:19:00.000-07:002009-08-03T15:33:45.758-07:00

There's a bit of a story behind the quote in the header; it's from Eduard Lindeman, considered to be the father of adult education in the U.S. His writing still has a place in any good library collection on the subject. He was also a great admirer of writings and quotations of Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose essays and addresses to graduating students are rightly considered classics. As a

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-36273876444450580322009-08-03T07:44:00.000-07:002009-08-03T07:49:14.485-07:00

Here's a question; I have a single volume of an ICS course from a century ago when study texts were well bound volumes; well worn, smudged and marked up with pencil. Also, I have three volumes (explain how to make a steam locomotive!) in pristine condition, look lovely on any bookshelf. Which are more valuable?

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-23205306644677005332009-08-01T18:38:00.000-07:002009-08-01T19:23:49.171-07:00

I've seen a rare few excellent examples of craft principles portrayed accurately in fiction. One was recommended by a colleague, "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett, a life-long enthusiast in Medieval cathedral building. There's also a short section in "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy on the mower, full of observations on community and also automaticity inthe graceful, rythmic sweep of the mowers'

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-10052959800396104522009-08-01T16:31:00.000-07:002009-08-01T16:41:26.035-07:00

http://www.mikeroweworks.com/Keep a watch on the Toolroom section of the newly revamped site, it's featuring mrW Tradesmen, (including me) who will answer questions related to trades work, rather than "How To" as the Remodel Crazy" site does. Also, fans of the "Dirty jobs" show, persons interested in how to effectively promote skilled trades and trades people can meet and share experienced- or

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-81526790811101014962009-08-01T15:18:00.000-07:002009-08-01T15:29:09.283-07:00

I urge you to check out the latest forum on the web, Remodel Crazy Forum, created by a couple renovation contractors to bring skilled contractors together with homeowners seeking advice on their home projects. As may be guessed from the title, the site is not overly serious, but wants to remain accessible to someone with a "dumb question" or unsure if they are being treated fairly by the

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-62987999096017808152009-07-27T22:15:00.000-07:002009-07-28T05:17:56.334-07:00

If you are dropping by for the first time, things are a little different here from the average work-related site. Rather than the usual group hug and talk, the goal here to unravel the issues that surround skilled work; such as, how an idea comes together in a craft worker's mind to become a comprehensive plan that can be acted on, so as to produce a finished product both functional or useful,

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-6797729325891638462009-07-19T00:57:00.000-07:002009-07-19T01:06:05.614-07:00

I'm happy to be able to feature the work of a very talented and creative person. I've known Bernice for a long time, watched her work and talked about issues of woodworking. Her workmanship and creativity are astounding. Her only fault is extreme modesty, and the more you admire her work, the more she'll explain how some aspect didn't turn out as she'd planned, but pay absolutely no attention to

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-86518616760129684092009-07-19T00:54:00.000-07:002009-07-19T00:57:17.071-07:00

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-38731205447368799542009-07-19T00:42:00.000-07:002009-07-28T05:36:59.024-07:00

I've just talked about the example of a violininst, and how being conservative in selection of woods and methods was not just preferable but essential. Tradition in his case was not a nasty word, does not denote recalcitrance but rather a steady and focused effort to retain the necessary outcome! the customer isn't looking for a suprise, but an instrument that will take its place in an orchestra

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-75074228779229533932009-07-18T17:05:00.000-07:002009-07-19T14:19:58.516-07:00

In 1970, I bought a brand new British motorcycle, showing rust right out of the crate, leaked oil, needed constant maintenance. It handled, rode and sounded great, but was an antique when I bought it. British manufacturing technology was in the dark ages at that time, since nothing was ever modified without overwhelmingly good reason for doing and even then only 10-20 years later than it should

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-25072117342398653472009-07-08T19:11:00.000-07:002009-07-08T19:21:12.395-07:00

Here's a couple links directing to appreciations for a tremendous fabricator and teacher, whose thin book has earned deep respect , even years after his passing and the book being out of print. If you are looking for the essence of true craft work by someone who has thought hard and carefully, metacognition or thinking about thinking at its finest.http://www.woodcentral.com/books/pye.shtmlhttp://

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-7519201689248954142009-07-08T03:00:00.000-07:002009-07-08T03:23:18.366-07:00

Just came across this excellent article on Luddism from the point of view of philosophy of technology, will comment on it in upcoming posts. Written by Jeremy Petch, a graduate student currently studying at York University. http://web.uvic.ca/philosophy/department_files/sophia/issues/sophia2002/jpetch.htm

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-62020357122515602212009-07-07T18:04:00.001-07:002009-07-08T02:52:04.516-07:00

I'm sure that none of your fellow workers have smashed machinery simply because they felt that their sphere of work was threatened. Worker sobotage isn't unheard of, but rare. but it is likely that at some time you have worked with someone who was reluctant to change methods of working, causing others frustration including you. Why? We're going to look at some possible reasons. Some workers are

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-32708839925347811092009-07-01T11:28:00.000-07:002009-07-01T12:41:42.296-07:00

Interesting article in U.S. News, interviewing Mike Rowe about the show "Dirty jobs" and his goals for MRW web site.http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/careers/2009/07/01/mike-rowe-why-dirty-jobs-are-green.html

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-80694186726547762932009-06-30T17:42:00.000-07:002009-06-30T18:19:51.254-07:00

The Luddites, as explained in an excellent Wikipedia item http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite , were weavers who reacted against mechanization, therefore efforts to increase production, by destroying their looms. Luddism has therefore become a blanket term used to describe any effort to resist change in the workplace, as a deficiency to be remedied. In fact, while in Wikipedia, look up

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-91697796839361542782009-06-30T17:18:00.000-07:002009-06-30T17:39:11.937-07:00

Here's a new book that's getting a lot of attention, one that puts in print ideas similar to those I've been working on, and in a format that the general public can bite into.http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Blue-Collar-Proud-of-It/Joe-Lamacchia/e/9780757307782Joe runs a landscaping business as well as promoting his new book, and has a website to develop ideas. http://

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-40524185884220341762009-06-28T17:25:00.000-07:002009-07-07T19:30:39.096-07:00

Been away for a while! Over at Mike Rowe's site, lots of interesting discussion at times, including this link about a book about trades' work as compared to the college path. I'm passing it on from the MRW site. http://www.mikeroweworks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2294I'm glad Matthew B. Crawford's book is getting attention, it's another step towards respect for trades. Not that tradespeople

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-70622783488901644602009-04-01T17:37:00.000-07:002009-04-01T17:39:53.135-07:00

Hi Folks!Give Mike Rowe's new site a try, focuses on discussion groups for people in or interested in trades.http://www.mikeroweworks.com/forums/index.php

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-29026109150060462572009-03-31T02:56:00.000-07:002009-03-31T03:01:19.656-07:00

Here's an interesting article on a highly trained doctor who fulfilled a life long dream by retiring early and teaching welding at a local high school! The article emphasizes the satisfaction derived from seeing visible results from work, the feeling of accomplishment.http://www.vichigh.com/pdfs/GlobeMail_Physician.pdf

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-51641002329094111932009-03-30T16:37:00.000-07:002009-03-30T17:19:13.940-07:00

It may seem odd to strongly recommend a book before having a chance to buy or read it, but this one promises to be a worthy exception. I have used two of his previous books to great benefit, Respect in a World of Inequality, and Corrosion of Character, and am certain that this rare treatment of what it is to be a craftsperson will be a welcome treatment on this important topic.  Sennett has

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-17652146491127137952009-03-29T18:50:00.000-07:002009-03-29T18:53:29.005-07:00

Here's a link to a blog for very expensive shoes that illustrates how diverse craft issues are:http://stylecrave.com/2009-03-27/most-expensive-mens-shoes/ . Speaks well to high regard of craft accomplishments.

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-53721866272016703612009-03-29T17:35:00.000-07:002009-03-29T18:04:07.188-07:00

Thanks for dropping by my new blog!  A lot of ideas will be shared here, mostly centering on learning skills and on promoting craft-related issues. Reading one of the published articles in the sidebar would also be helpful since although they talk about issues related to Ontario's community colleges and the place of vocational training, they also are concerned with what craft is and why it is

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-6544127873686664532009-03-29T17:12:00.001-07:002009-03-29T17:12:29.092-07:00

Technorati Profile

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-32434909004438532052009-03-22T17:33:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:56:29.805-07:00

What skills shortage?Now where are the calls of desperation about shortages of tradespeople in Fort McMurray?When oil was $150 a barrel, exploration and development was booming in the oil sands projects and the worker sprung from annonimity to be the critical link in project success; since money certainly wasn't. It like a shop keeper glancing up at a dusty shelf and realizing the can goods were

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-71985900896362499652009-03-21T13:37:00.000-07:002009-03-21T15:38:46.111-07:00

Ever been driving and had the sudden awareness that you have no recollection of having driven the past several miles?  We all have. It's the commonest experience of automaticity and yet one rarely discussed; to the best of my understanding few tradesmen talk about it.  I have worked along beside workmen for fifty years and never heard of it until research illuminated my own work experience of

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799019642421376931.post-22834712440327713032009-03-20T17:40:00.000-07:002009-03-20T18:36:22.133-07:00

Welcome to a brand new blog designed to communicate with others interested in what makes skilled workers able to perform with relative ease the complex tasks they are capable of.  It should provide valuable information to other skilled workers who left behind the overwhelmingly discouragements of the novice stage and went on to earn respect from peers (and wondered how they got there); and also

Dave Armishawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720318796068414905noreply@blogger.com0