January 1, 2013

A New [Woodworking] Year

I found this pic on Toolemera's site.  Love it.

  I'm not much for resolutions.  In fact I'm not big on planning or goals in general.  That is likely a stumbling block in my path as a woodworker, but that's a subject for another day.  The reason I bring that up is because I don't intend to etch a list in stone and hold myself to certain events and experiences I may have the chance of accomplishing in the coming year.  Rather I intend to just do more.

More Building

  It seems that I build a little more each year, spend a little more time in the shop each year.  I like how that's going and I'm finding the more I do and the more word gets around, I'm connecting with a lot of new people and my skills are improving along the way.  There's a lot of shop improvements on the list: bench, tool storage, etc.  There's a customer project in the works as well.  Nothing too fancy, a painted [giant] dresser, but it should be a good time spent building something for someone.  I like that feeling.

More Selling

  Thanks, in part, to Tom Iovino for showcasing my blog a little while ago, I've heard a little more of the 'can you make one of those for me?' chatter.  I sold my first turned bowl last month.  One small sale, but it's a step in an awesome direction.  I'm limping into the making and selling thing slowly as most of what I've made in the past was gifts given to family.  That's not going to stop, but I can't wait to pass my work onto to those outside my family and maybe help fund some shop improvements.  To that end I'm looking into the best way to make a gallery page and create a place to start the discussions that may lead to custom orders.  The sky's the limit.

More Blogging

  There's no hiding the fact that I'm not a regular contributor to this blog.  I always have ideas rolling around that I just need to put them into pixels.  With the wonders of apps on phones and tablets, I'm never too far away from a place I can save an idea or take a moment to author a short entry.  

  So here's to you and yours.  Whatever the past has dealt you, and wherever the future leads, enjoy what you do.