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In this episode, Peter talks with Norman Pirollo.
Norman is the editor of WOODSKILLS magazine, an online woodworking instructor, and author. In a previous life, he was a C++ developer for some of the largest computer companies in the world. He decided to turn his life around and dedicate himself to CAD Design, prototyping and creating contemporary furniture at his company, Pirollo Design.
Norman writes and publishes woodworking courseware on his website, and also teaches woodworking in the traditional “in-person” way.
He has authored and published four books:
- The Wood Artist: Creating Art Through Wood
- Start Your Own Woodworking Business
- From Hi-Tech to Lo-Tech: A Woodworker’s Journey
- and Abstracted: An Artist’s Journey (on Amazon and Google Books).
Most recently, Norman published WOODSKILLS, a bi-annual magazine about fine woodworking.
This is Stemiverse Podcast episode 55.
Stemiverse podcast is brought to you by Tech Explorations, a leading provider of educational resources for Makers, STEM students, and teachers. Go to techexplorations.com to see a complete list of our books and courses covering the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and electronics.
Show Notes
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:00:00″] Introduction – Introducing Norman Pirollo
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:01:51″] Greetings
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:03:38″] Norman talks about his background in electrotechnology and later in computer software and computer science
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:09:03″] Norman’s book: From Hi-Tech to Lo-Tech: A Woodworker’s Journey
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:09:23″] The transition from high-tech to low-tech
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:14:05″] Norman’s transition from an apprentice woodworker to a wood artist
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:17:04″] About maquettes (scale models)
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:18:15″] Norman’s entry into the art world happened thanks to a touring craft exhibition in 2009
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:20:07″] Generalized lessons from Norman’s experience of transitioning from the corporate to the woodworker’s world
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:24:50″] Instructional learning
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:27:16″] Cleveland Institute of Electronics
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:28:52″] How Norman manages his time while being a woodworker an artist and a teacher
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:30:15″] The appeal of woodworking vs. DIY electronics and its current resurgence
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:32:50″] The story of how Peter came across Norman’s work due to a custom wooden enclosure
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:36:06″] Norman’s choice of tools: Google SketchUp, video editing software, and more.
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:37:44″] Lifelong learning as a maker
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:39:16″] Norman’s advice to makers interested in woodworking but without access to a dedicated space/workshop
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:41:13″] The movement towards traditional woodworking that does not involve machinery but hand tools, e.g., The Unplugged Woodshop
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:45:08″] Norman’s courses: Woodworking Course – Hand Tools Course
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:47:31″] The youngest age one can begin a woodworking apprenticeship and the benefits of hands-on training
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:53:37″] The industrialization of furniture making vs. the resurgence of the artistic approach
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:55:13″] Rapid Fire Questions
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:55:25″] Norman’s advice to teachers about woodworking’s potential contribution to education
- [spp-timestamp time=”0:59:42″] Norman’s book recommendations: James Krenov’s books and the philosophy of woodworking
- [spp-timestamp time=”1:04:41″] Going beyond the “how” and towards the “why”
- [spp-timestamp time=”1:07:14″] Norman’s Contact Information:
- Websites: WoodSkills and Pirollo Design
- Instagram: @woodskillsmag and @pirollodesign
- Twitter: @woodskills
- Magazine: WOODSKILLS
- Additional resources: Website (in Russian) about James Krenov (videos in US English included, describing the man and his philosophy). According to Norman, Krenov “is widely recognized as one of the best craftsmen of the 20th century and was instrumental in a return to traditional woodworking with emphasis on quality and originality.”