Here is a photo of a trunk I just started working on for my friend Bonnie Andersen. It will be my fifth one, and people who see them when they’re done tell me how talented I must be. Which is super funny, because it takes absolutely zero talent to fix up a trunk.
Here’s what it does take- a million tedious little steps that anyone can do.
Scrub off dirt (by hand) Pick loose paper lining (by hand). Scrape off rust (by hand). Paint (by hand). Varnish (by hand). Google for tips (“that’s what I’m doing wrong”) Notice mistakes (What??!) Fix mistakes (by hand).
So just to be clear here- you can do almost anything, if you want to
Lesson: Talent is far less important than time and desire.