>>I started making violins.
>
>Now that is a skill I would love to acquire!:-)

Well, it's easier than you think.
You get some wood
Then you remove all the bits o f wood that don't look like a violin part.
Then you put the parts together and you have a violin.

Or if you're serious, look here http://www.bartruff.com/howto/
It's a good place to start. I'm thinking about giving a cello a try next.