I first met Whitney Miller when she was a reporter at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, proper because the pandemic was cranking up. Whitney labored with my spouse, Lucy, and Whitney was actually into making something and every little thing.
She’d made her personal eating desk with the assistance of some pals. And he or she’s made virtually every little thing else in her life – her garments, curtains, sweatshirts for her pals, masks for folks she knew, stickers for everybody. The girl simply makes and makes.
She wished to get higher at woodworking, so she took a Dutch Software Chest class with Megan. Whitney hadn’t executed a lot hand joinery, however she has what we name “good palms.” Put a device in her palms, and she’s going to make it work. And work nicely.
Through the class, Megan got here to me and mentioned: “Whitney’s type isn’t classical, however you’ll be able to’t argue with the outcomes.”
Her dovetails have been unbelievable. Her complete chest was crisp. Whitney is perhaps a pure, or she may additionally be somebody who works along with her palms on a regular basis and might make them do her bidding. (I vote for the latter.)
After we constructed a workbench for the Henry Boyd exhibit on the Cincinnati Historical past Museum, Whitney led the way in which on its development. She is just an excellent craftswoman – it doesn’t matter what the instruments she is utilizing.
And her vitality and enthusiasm for making issues eclipses a lot of the goober YouTubers.
So once we thought of making a video on constructing a Swedish device chest, we determined to make it for inexperienced persons and have it hosted by somebody who wasn’t your typical over-trained and textbook-perfect woodworker. Somebody who might get it executed and make it look superior (have a look at the dang images) and wasn’t an intimidating host.
Whitney was my first selection.
We’ve been posting clips from her video on Instagram this month, and the response has been each nice and miserable. Some folks get it. Have a look at this bada$$ particular person placing this chest collectively, even with out the classical training and the requisite stick up their butt. Superior.
And others who make it about gender or race or denigrating Whitney’s work.
What does Whitney consider all this? She usually kills folks with kindness, however I believe it’s best to have a look at her work. She may not maintain a dovetail noticed such as you. Or aircraft boards such as you. Or drive a chisel with the arrogance of somebody who does it for a dwelling. However she is aware of what she is doing. And he or she is aware of tips on how to get it executed.
And if there’s not room in your world for folks like that, please discover one other world.
— Christopher Schwarz