Rant: My entire process for making a simple leaf keychain changed after one bad class

I used to just freehand the whole thing, maybe sketch on the steel with soapstone if I felt fancy. Then I took a two day workshop in Denver last fall where the instructor made us use a paper template for EVERYTHING, even a basic leaf. He said it was the 'only professional way'. So for months I wasted time cutting out paper, tracing, trying to get it perfect. Last week I was running late on an order and just went back to my old way, eyeballing the shape with the grinder. The customer loved it and it took half the time. Did I just get a bad teacher, or is the template thing overkill for simple decorative work?

3 comments

3 Comments

paulw871mo ago

That instructor was teaching a method, not a rule. The paper template is a tool for beginners to learn consistency, but calling it the only professional way is just wrong. You found what works for your speed and the quality your customers want. Holding onto a slow process for simple items makes no sense if the end result is good.

grant.sam1mo ago

Sounds like that teacher was stuck on one rigid method. Some projects need precision, but a leaf keychain isn't a jet engine part. The best process is the one that gets you good results efficiently.

paigesullivan1mo ago

That template habit builds the muscle memory for when you really do need that precision.