Okay we are in that week between holidays. Too much turkey and dressing, all the hustle and bustle is now over and everyone is at a stand still. We just wait for the beginning of a new year.

 

With the new year what are your projects or goals for your shop? What is on the list of I really want to do that this year.

 

With all of the work I have had in my shop this season, I have really found out that my work flow needs some tweaking. I am also out of storage in the shop so I will be looking at some rearranging and additional storage solutions before too many other jobs get started.

 

I also have promised LOML that I would build her a new kitchen/dining table. That is moving to the top of the list.

 

My craft shows don't start back until the first of March, so I have a little breather there.

 

So what is on you list......?

Well, for me the first 2 things are a corner TV cabinet and them a corner dining room cupboard.  I have a long list but those are (I'm told) the top 2 items. We had moved into this house a1 yer ago and I just did get my shop re-established so it's been a fairly long dry spell...looking forward to the these projects.

 

Right now I'm working on the 2nd pendulum cradle. The first one was for my youngest sons first and now this one is for our first great grand son.

Having to cut and shape in the garage (shop) and then move to the basement so there's a lot of time wasted!

the reason for moving is that it's only warming up to the low 30's, if that during the day and going down to around 10 most nights.

Still, it's a lot of fun!

Harry

The two major things I have are, finish my kitchen remodel and make it another year.

I have to make a new oak porch swing for my brother.  Not difficult but when you start it, you have to finish because it takes up so much room.  John I'll show it to you in the spring.

I'll hold you to that. Sound like a nice one. I'll have to get your plans.

Ron Dudelston said:

I have to make a new oak porch swing for my brother.  Not difficult but when you start it, you have to finish because it takes up so much room.  John I'll show it to you in the spring.

Sounds like you are starting with a full load.

I'll be waiting to see updates.

Gene Howe said:

A couple brief case type presentation cases for pistol pairs, a few wall mirrors, a humidor, a rifle/shotgun case, and some routered bowls.

Toys for next Christmas. 

 

John Moody said:

I'll hold you to that. Sound like a nice one. I'll have to get your plans.

Here's the one I have on the porch of my workshop.  The one I'll make looks just like it without the grandkids.

Ron Dudelston said:

I have to make a new oak porch swing for my brother.  Not difficult but when you start it, you have to finish because it takes up so much room.  John I'll show it to you in the spring.

My plan is to join the craft show circuit this year.

my product line to start with will be:

end grain chopping boards

wooden spatulas

router carved bowls and trays

small boxes

desk  and mantle clocks

my hope will be to sell enough to buy some more tools such as lathe, belt/disk sander and spindle sander to start.

Would you experienced craft fair vendors have any other ideas I could add to the product line?

 

John,

 

The cutting boards have done real well for me in my area. Once you have the lathe, bottle stoppers and the seam rippers are a nice addition. Of course pens are a toss up. I will have a run on them and then not sell a pen for months. I think it is good to have them, but I wouldn't load my inventory too strong with them. You can always take orders and get them what they want.

 

I also do the cutting boards in three sizes. The large one is about 17" long xy 11 1/2" wide, the medium is about 12" to 14" long and 11 1/2" wide, the small is about 8" long and about 10" wide. It gives them some options and I sell about equal of all the sizes. I am in a college town and I have had some of the kids in the dorms or apartments to purchase the small one.

 

I also usually carry one or two of my tables if I have them just to show that I can do larger work. It has gotten me more orders for custom work.

 

Best of luck. It is fun, and sometimes it is slow.

 

 

John Hechel said:

My plan is to join the craft show circuit this year.

my product line to start with will be:

end grain chopping boards

wooden spatulas

router carved bowls and trays

small boxes

desk  and mantle clocks

my hope will be to sell enough to buy some more tools such as lathe, belt/disk sander and spindle sander to start.

Would you experienced craft fair vendors have any other ideas I could add to the product line?

 

That is a fine looking group of grand kids. I can see why you wouldn't want to send him them.

 

I'll bet they can bring a smile to ones face everyday.

 

The swing is very nice also.

Ron Dudelston said:

John Moody said:

I'll hold you to that. Sound like a nice one. I'll have to get your plans.

Here's the one I have on the porch of my workshop.  The one I'll make looks just like it without the grandkids.

Ron Dudelston said:

I have to make a new oak porch swing for my brother.  Not difficult but when you start it, you have to finish because it takes up so much room.  John I'll show it to you in the spring.

The redhead in the middle is a riot.  Just turned 3, name is Lewie but he calls himself Wewie.  You never know what is going through his head.  His brother is almost 8 and very bright.  I figure his brother will be class valedictorian and lewie will always have a cheerleader hanging off his arm.

John Moody said:

That is a fine looking group of grand kids. I can see why you would want to send him them.

 

I'll bet they can bring a smile to ones face everyday.

 

The swing is very nice also.

Ron Dudelston said:

John Moody said:

I'll hold you to that. Sound like a nice one. I'll have to get your plans.

Here's the one I have on the porch of my workshop.  The one I'll make looks just like it without the grandkids.

Ron Dudelston said:

I have to make a new oak porch swing for my brother.  Not difficult but when you start it, you have to finish because it takes up so much room.  John I'll show it to you in the spring.

Gene, do you have any pictures of your band saw boxes and jewelry boxes you could share with us?

 

John

 

Gene Howe said:

Band saw boxes and jewelry boxes always did well for me. 


John Hechel said:

John you might want to add a step stool for kids you can't find those darn things any place that arn't plastic.

John Moody said:

John,

 

The cutting boards have done real well for me in my area. Once you have the lathe, bottle stoppers and the seam rippers are a nice addition. Of course pens are a toss up. I will have a run on them and then not sell a pen for months. I think it is good to have them, but I wouldn't load my inventory too strong with them. You can always take orders and get them what they want.

 

I also do the cutting boards in three sizes. The large one is about 17" long xy 11 1/2" wide, the medium is about 12" to 14" long and 11 1/2" wide, the small is about 8" long and about 10" wide. It gives them some options and I sell about equal of all the sizes. I am in a college town and I have had some of the kids in the dorms or apartments to purchase the small one.

 

I also usually carry one or two of my tables if I have them just to show that I can do larger work. It has gotten me more orders for custom work.

 

Best of luck. It is fun, and sometimes it is slow.

 

 

John Hechel said:

My plan is to join the craft show circuit this year.

my product line to start with will be:

end grain chopping boards

wooden spatulas

router carved bowls and trays

small boxes

desk  and mantle clocks

my hope will be to sell enough to buy some more tools such as lathe, belt/disk sander and spindle sander to start.

Would you experienced craft fair vendors have any other ideas I could add to the product line?

 

Thanks Mark, that step stool I did turned out pretty good. I might have to add a few of those.

Mark Lesch said:

John you might want to add a step stool for kids you can't find those darn things any place that arn't plastic.

John Moody said:

John,

 

The cutting boards have done real well for me in my area. Once you have the lathe, bottle stoppers and the seam rippers are a nice addition. Of course pens are a toss up. I will have a run on them and then not sell a pen for months. I think it is good to have them, but I wouldn't load my inventory too strong with them. You can always take orders and get them what they want.

 

I also do the cutting boards in three sizes. The large one is about 17" long xy 11 1/2" wide, the medium is about 12" to 14" long and 11 1/2" wide, the small is about 8" long and about 10" wide. It gives them some options and I sell about equal of all the sizes. I am in a college town and I have had some of the kids in the dorms or apartments to purchase the small one.

 

I also usually carry one or two of my tables if I have them just to show that I can do larger work. It has gotten me more orders for custom work.

 

Best of luck. It is fun, and sometimes it is slow.

 

 

John Hechel said:

My plan is to join the craft show circuit this year.

my product line to start with will be:

end grain chopping boards

wooden spatulas

router carved bowls and trays

small boxes

desk  and mantle clocks

my hope will be to sell enough to buy some more tools such as lathe, belt/disk sander and spindle sander to start.

Would you experienced craft fair vendors have any other ideas I could add to the product line?

 

2 step stairs for kids, old style carpenters box

I've got a pine entry bench on the go right now for a guy at my work...my first custom piece that I am getting paid for! After that I will be working on some picture frames out of cherry from my Grandfathers back bush that he had milled before he passed away. I'm going to be giving everyone in the family a frame.

LOML has a lot of things planned for me, but I think I need to get insulating the shop first and maybe getting it a little more organized. The shop is new since October and I started right away on the bench and basic set up of the shop, and now I definitely need to organize it.

Sounds good Mike. I am looking forward to seeing those are you get them finished.

 

dragon1 said:

2 step stairs for kids, old style carpenters box

When you get a chance Scott, give us an update on the bench. That sounds interesting. Since it is the first paying piece there will be no stopping you then. One leads to two and so on.

 

I bet that cherry is good looking. I love that old cherry that has been air dried. I have got several hundred bf of cherry that came off a old farm. I have a few projects in mind for that this year.

 

I got my shop insulated a couple of years ago, closed in the ceiling and insulated overhear. Put in gas heat and it is better out there in the winter than when it gets so hot in the summer.

 

Give us some shop shots when you can.

 

Welcome aboard, we are excited to have you here and jumping right in.

Scott Fleming said:

I've got a pine entry bench on the go right now for a guy at my work...my first custom piece that I am getting paid for! After that I will be working on some picture frames out of cherry from my Grandfathers back bush that he had milled before he passed away. I'm going to be giving everyone in the family a frame.

LOML has a lot of things planned for me, but I think I need to get insulating the shop first and maybe getting it a little more organized. The shop is new since October and I started right away on the bench and basic set up of the shop, and now I definitely need to organize it.

I haven't done any woodworking in months. As many of you know, I just re-located a couple months ago. Between selling last house and moving...woodworking has taken a back seat. The good news?...QWe have a WW shop here at the villages and I will have to get my butt over there and sign-up. I plan to do most of my heavy machining there and do a little in my garage......Boy, I miss my basement shop already!!!!!

 

 

Keedy