REALLY COOL OR WILDLY WEIRD?
“You know that’s weird, right? Odd, actually.” That is the response I often receive when I share about a particular piece of furniture I made a couple of years ago.
I was never formally mentored in woodworking or how to use the tools of the trade. It has been a trial-and-error thing; learn as you go. I’m not a great craftsman, but I am persistent and do not mind making mistakes I can correct. I have made some pretty nice pieces of furniture, but I am not naturally talented. Bottom line, I like woodworking as a hobby.
Another passion of mine is leadership—to influence others. Being a counselor, associate pastor, and executive director for a non-profit have been great outlets for this innate drive.
So, I decided to combine the two loves… by building a coffin. My own coffin.
I made an 1800’s style coffin, sometimes referred to as a “toe pincher.” You can picture it, I’m sure. Imagine the wild west and the coffin sitting in the funeral parlor.
The creative craftsman within me wanted to fancy it up a bit, but I resisted. I intentionally decided to make it boringly simple. No stain. No trim. Pine, not an expensive hardwood. Cost me $105.
Here’s the really creepy part. It is in my attic right now. Shrink-wrapped and waiting for THE DAY. I have instructed my youngins to be sure and give it a quick sanding so it smells nice. Further, they are to award the pallbearers a souvenir hammer to take with them after they hammer in the horseshoe nails one final time (pre-drilled, of course). My parting gift to them.
As I said, there are two sides here. The largest camp believes that this is just weird, unsettling, and eccentric. The other is intrigued and inquires about how to build their own coffin.
