After starting my build 4 years ago with the lots of help and guidance from Mike DaSilva, it was finally completed and came home today. Thank you Mike for your patience and willingness to teach me.
That is awesome. While I've never demonstrated aptitude for something like that, I would still love, love, love to try it under the tutelage of a respected luthier like you did. I've heard of luthiers who offer build classes (e.g., Lichty) but I think because they're typically short (a few days) a lot of the work is done in advance. Sounds like you go to do everything. Very nice.