We were lucky to catch up with Aaron Bardo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’m so lucky to be a creative in this time period. I always want to learn a new craft, and the internet is extremely helpful especially for visual learners. I grew up reading books to learn things like beading, origami, taxidermy, cooking. And now that I’m into woodworking as a passion and business, I can learn new techniques extremely fast with tools like YouTube.

It could possibly be faster to learn with a 1-on-1 instructor in person. But since I can’t afford that, learning by making mistakes is also proving to be a solid way to gain useful experience.

As I navigate my career through different media, the thing that has proved most valuable is design. I went through an arts and tech high school, and a fine arts college. While I didn’t get far in the fine arts world, the things I learned about aesthetic, drawing and design have been really helpful when combined with any trade. I can come up with higher value results for my clients that might take a team of people at another business.

While I am resilient and resourceful with what I have, there’s always a chance for things to be easier. If I had more financial resources, I could have invested it in specialized tools, lessons, bigger workspace. All things that would spores up my learning process for woodworking. At the same time, having limitations is good for me to slow down and figure out what I really want to do without wasting excess money.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a creative, I love coming up with projects from concept to design to production. Making things with my hands is very satisfying. Having an image in my head off something beautiful and making it a reality for others to enjoy.

Right now that drive and passion has brought me into the world of woodworking. I’ve long been learning about woodworking.

Growing up, my dad had a wood shop in the garage and I would get familiar with the tools on small projects. In art college, I took a sculpture class where we further learned to use wood and metal working techniques. For a period of time I was really into the idea of building a sustainable farm with natural building materials and traditional Japanese wood joinery.

Then, during COVID I made the brilliant decision to quit my job and pursue self employment as a handyman. It started off difficult but the trade off was being able to change my direction and get paid for doing better work.

I worked my way quickly to higher paying jobs in carpentry, building decks and custom designed home improvements. As I’ve built up my skills and workshop over the last few years, I’ve been able to refine my services into woodworking.

I specialize in custom designed woodwork. I work closely with my clients to figure out what they need in their homes. We identify how the space could be best used, and what the overall look-and-feel is. I provide sketches or 3D designs of the concept, and we go back and forth until the plan is solid. Then I focus on craftsmanship to build the project, communicating as we we go. Whether it’s furniture, built-in products, storage solutions, or sculptural artwork, it’s all a matter of puzzle problem solving mixed with creative inspiration!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Speaking as a creative to a non-creative, here is some insight into how we operate:

If you want to get the most out of your custom design experts, learn how to give constructive criticism. When I work with a client who knows how to give a compliment sandwich, that gives me the confidence to do a little extra for you.

Some clients out there don’t say anything about my work unless is negative: “fix this, I don’t like that, you did that wrong.” When I’ve put a lot of time effort and experience into your project and you only shoot me down, I feel like crap and I want to get out of there ASAP.

But if you take a little time to compliment what I did right, I feel seen and respected. That puts some wind in my sails so I am more likely to do more for you.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My entire career has been pivoting. It’s blessing and curse I suppose. I always sell for something new to try but I feel it’s building towards something unique and special. Let me give you a quick run-down of the jobs I’ve had:

Lawn mower, Taco Bell, video game artist, organic farmer, English teacher, graphic designer, cannabis salesman, art supply retail, fine art painter, illustrator, sign shop production, handyman, carpenter, and now fine woodworker.

In the last few years I’ve finally been able too make a decent living self-employed. That has given me so much freedom to continue pivoting while making enough to pay the bills. It’s been an arduous journey getting here, but I wouldn’t have found the joy of my craft without trying all those other jobs before.

If you’re determined to learn, fail, and try again until you succeed, you can eventually be excited to go to work too!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bardo-designs.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/bardo.designs

Image Credits
Photo by Aaron Bardo 2023