For many on Long Island, woodworking is more than a hobby: it’s an art form and a connection to family memories.

“I’ve been doing it since I was a kid,” said Jim Moloney, 68, of Patchogue. “My dad was always doing home improvement work and I would help him, that’s how I learned to use the tools. »

When he was about 10 years old, he said his father helped him build a bird feeder: “It was a good experience and since then I have always enjoyed working with tools.”

Moloney’s passion for woodworking grew from these early experiences, but he emphasizes that learning the craft is a gradual process. For him, starting with simple projects like bowls and vases helped him gain the confidence and skills to take on larger home improvement projects, like working on the deck of his home.

Moloney joined the Long Island Carpenters Club in 2008 after his cousin Ed, a club member, encouraged him to do so. Moloney now sits on the board of directors and is chairman of the club’s woodturning group.

Members meet monthly to share techniques and present their projects. Each meeting includes beginner-friendly demonstrations and teaches new members about equipment safety, Moloney said.

“We love welcoming new members,” he said. “Everyone is really willing to share their knowledge. »

As the club does not have a permanent meeting space, many workshops take place in rented spaces. Most members, including Moloney, work in personal home workshops, usually in their basement or garage.

Moloney, a retired accountant who worked in a hospital for 25 years, said woodworking remained a popular hobby. Over the years, he said he’s made desks, chairs and cabinets, but now enjoys working on smaller projects because he’s “running out of room for more furniture.”

“It’s rewarding to have the satisfaction of making something with your hands and having something personal that you created,” Moloney said. “Rather than just going to the store and buying something, you can say, ‘I made this table, I made the bookcase, I made this vase.’ »