Think about how often we’re surrounded by wooden objects—tables, doors, staircases, to name just a few. We use them every day without considering the effort behind them. Something as common as a chair can take around 20 hours to make—and even longer if it’s particularly intricate or elaborate.
Knowing this, it’s fascinating to learn about what attracts people to this meticulous craft. That’s why Bored Panda got in touch with Liam O’Connor, a talented 24-year-old woodworker and furniture maker from the San Francisco Bay Area, to hear about his story.
Liam’s passion for creating things started early. “When I was a little kid I used to love sewing my own stuffed animals, but really I would try to make anything,” he tells us. As an adult, he’s kept that same spirit alive, making everything from dolls to pet houses, which he shares on Instagram and Reddit.
Liam’s creativity as a child was nurtured by his supportive parents and his grandfather, who helped him with different projects in the work shed every time Liam came to visit. Later in high school, Liam became deeply involved in ceramics, but his focus shifted when he went to college and gained access to a full woodshop. Since then, he has developed a penchant for crafting quirky and unusual wooden creations.
One of Liam’s latest projects, for example, is a testament to his imaginative approach: a creature-looking wooden den for a pet with carved round teeth and tongue-shaped pillow that rolls out of its mouth. One of the users on Reddit even compared it to The Luggage, a fictional object from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld fantasy book series.
Throughout the years, Liam has crafted a variety of charming items, including cute wooden doll figures, lamps, tables, and cooking utensils. Almost all of them are designed with elements that give them a lively, almost animated personality. For example, one of the lamps has little legs. The figures range from gnomes to forest spirits. The cooking spatulas are shaped like fish. Looking back, Liam notes that personification has always been a consistent theme in his work, even from his early days sewing stuffed animals.
Liam draws inspiration from both the people in his life and the natural world. “I always have creative people around me, like my brother, that help me expand my skills and ideas while encouraging me to try new art forms,” he shares. Growing up in a redwood forest left a lasting impression on the young woodworker. “Seeing all the different animals and plants really stuck with me,” he says. “Lots of my work reflects that.”
For those interested in trying woodworking, Liam’s advice is simple: just get started. “Your stuff is probably going to be pretty bad at first, but that’s fine. I still make crappy things all the time,” he candidly admits. And although patience is key in any skill, it’s especially important in woodworking. “When I was younger, I would rush the process a lot, and I would end up making mistakes that just slowed me down even more.”
If you’re intimidated by tools, Liam suggests starting with some basic ones, such as a jobsite table saw or circular saw, a drill, jigsaw, and a sander, which are relatively affordable yet versatile enough for various projects. He also recommends looking for a makerspace in your area—they offer a great environment for learning and creating.
Woodworking involves hands-on practice, but there are many online resources to help you improve and expand your skills. YouTube is always a good place to explore. “My favorite [channels] are Foureyes Furniture and ShaunBoydMadeThis,” Liam says. He also finds the r/woodworking subreddit helpful, where he’s encountered friendly and knowledgeable people, contrary to the stereotype that the users of this platform might be snarky and rude.