Prompt: Write about a craftsperson or maker you admire.
Okay, the prompt for today, June 6, 2026, is: write about a craftsperson or maker you admire.
YouTube has done a fantastic job of giving people a platform. With smartphones being so ubiquitous, it’s become a very democratic way for people to express themselves and show what they’re doing. I think YouTube has done a wonderful job of that. The ads and monetization side of things are starting to get to me a little, but that’s another discussion.
What I appreciate is that anybody with a phone and a data connection can reach the world, and that’s fantastic.
That said, there are a lot of people doing amazingly creative things on YouTube. One maker who really stands out in my mind is Uri Tuchman. I hope I’m pronouncing his name correctly.
What I love most about his videos is that his personality comes through. He seems like an awkward and quirky guy, but he manages to capture that on camera and share it alongside these beautiful pieces he creates. The ideas that come to him—and the way he implements them—are phenomenal.
He works mostly with brass, and from what I’ve seen, his shop is tiny. He uses a lot of homemade tools and DIY solutions. One line of his that has always stuck with me—I can’t remember which video it comes from—is:
“Why would I buy it when I can make it worse for more money?”
I think that really encapsulates the ethos of the craftsperson and the maker. There is something deeply satisfying about making things yourself, even when it would be easier, cheaper, or more practical to buy them.
He’s a really cool guy. He comes up with fascinating ideas. His tape measure dispenser was particularly neat. He’s made and upgraded a bandsaw. There are lots of other projects that stand out, though I can’t recall them all off the top of my head.
If you get a chance, check him out.
Who else is there? I suppose that’s it for now. There are plenty of woodturners I’ve learned a lot from over the years as well, but Uri Tuchman is the first person who comes to mind.
All right, I’m going to leave it at that.
You can find this prompt and more at Letters’ Lounge. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment with a link to your blog, audio journal, or whatever form your response takes.
I’d love to hear from you.
Talk to you soon, folks.
Or tomorrow.
This transcript was lightly cleaned up with the help of AI to improve readability while preserving the original voice and intent of the recording.
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