What a weird and windy road we travel.

Well that was a week and a bit. Since my last post I was lead to make something that was well within my capabilities and an opportunity to clear my mind over the challenges facing me with the current new designs. viz Handbags and Hinges.

Though it is a rule of mine never to copy or follow other craft peoples creations I have much respect for and enjoy the work of, UK Box, Maker Andrew Crawford.

I reasoned well if i'm going to emulate anyone's work, why not pick on who I consider to be one of the best in their chosen profession.

I looked at a set of box plans he describes in one of his books and, so I thought, faithfully followed the instructions, only to realise 3 days later (I'm quick like that) that I had miss-read the specifications and built something totally different.

At least, I mused, I'm not coping anyone's work! Rather I've have been inspired by it.

The dimensions I used seemed to be to big and out of proportion for the box I had in mind.

As ever disappointed and "Pissed Off" after spending 2 days making the caulds for cold pressing the lid.

I comforted myself with "look at the experience I have gained.

1. Read directions more than once!

2. Don't be in such a rush.

3. Discovered several new ways to arrive at the same result.

OK that's the self justification for wasting time.

Then next morning I had a thought I wonder......

Down to the workshop, and guess what the top that was made wrong is the exact fit for a range of Urns and other Boxes I currently make. Which, interestingly, I was toying with the notion of making some with a serpentine lids.

So there ya go, nothing wasted, nothing lost but a huge again in all areas.

If there is a message here I guess it's never get discouraged or give up on what it is your doing because everything happens for a reason.

Cheers

Steve

Boxmaker

Small Wins

I have been working for a while on the projects mentioned in the aforementions posts.

As a result of constant trials and errors resulting in finding out many, many, MANY ways that WILL NOT work I start to doubt myself and rag out on me. As a fool, phony, joke, pretender or whatever Crap I can label myself.

Then an "Epiphany!"

Question to self, " Have you seen any of the things you trying to make?

Answer, "Na"

Question to self, Has anyone else you know made what you are trying to achieve?

Answer, "NA!"

Question to self, Would it be fair to say you are trying something that has not been done before to your knowledge?

Answer, Yep.

Question, "Well doesn't it stand to reason that if you haven't seen it before and know of no one that has done it before then it's something that has to be worked out and possibly is going to present some problems before it get built?

Answer, s'posse soooooooooo.

Statement, Well get over yourself!!!! and do something that you know you can do, get your confidence back up. then go back and work on it again. OKKKKKKKKK

Answer, But, But, But. But......

Statement, SHUT UP QUIT WHINNING AND GO TO THE SHED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Message recieved and understood.

GONE, and thanks

Cheers

Steve

Red Letter Day

Yesterday was a real breakthrough day for me. I joined the current world and made a conscious decision to go metric!!!

For anyone reading this you may say SO WHAT!

For me after 20 years of working in the imperial system It was very liberating.

Same time I made another conscious decisions NOT TO DO COMMISSIONS!!!! Any more.

I get really pisses off doing work for people that have no idea what is involved in what I am making for them and can't (or don't) see the value in the hourly rate that I attach to my work.

Any other profession is able to charge $80 - $120 - $250+ per hour and justify it with the amount of study and experience they bring to the services they off er.

Well guess what? I have spend the best part of 30 years of my life learning and perfecting the Profession I have chosen to invest my life energy into and no longer is it going to to given to those that do not appreciate it.!!

From this day on, I will be building, What I want to build, How I want to Build it! and charge what I feel it is worth!!!!

Some may scoff at this show of audacity, it may be seen as puerile or even cockiness, but "IF I DON'T MAKE A STATEMENT FOR MYSELF WHO WILL???"

There may be some anger or even resentment being vented here but it is directed at me for not taking myself and talent seriously in the past.

I am working on and designing a range of Wooden Hand Bags and a unique Wooden Box Hinge.

(i am interest to see how long it takes me to get around to producing something after making these bold statements well perhaps my new friend "THE NET" will prick my conciseness and act as inspiration to motivate me to get it happening quicker that if I never mentioned it.

And if my Kids or Grand kids ever read this yep. Dad (Papa) gets in a holes sometimes as well.

So keep on travelling and we'll all get there at some point.

Cheers

Steve

Empty Shed Syndrome

Been awhile since I've been here but I guess no one's reading this blog so it doesn't matter.

If nothing else it's a great place to let me know my thoughts.

I was having a coffee the other day with a fellow woodworker (BH) they made an interesting comment which got me thinking.

The comment was "there is sacrifice involved in being a woodworker" and it's true.

I'm not talking about the mass production type of woodworker or assembly line worker but the woodworker who wants to create as opposed to copy.

Pushing accepted standards, whether by revisiting the past or forming new cutting edge ideas and processes.

To express as a true Artist of their craft.

As a sideline my Father was an Author, which could be classified as a selfish profession, having written and published some books myself I have to agree.

The woodworker I strive to be is also in that vein, for it's my belief to be truly creative one has to have solitude and quiet time (with the exception of music) to allow the mind to meander, formulate, dismiss and reconstruct fractured thoughts conceits and techniques. In order to manifest new pieces either functional or abstract.

It would be lovely to share and work with others of the same thought patterns but that would negate the reason and purpose of individual design and expression. If I knew how to spell it I would say it is the Woodworkers dilemma of a dichotomy.

Cheers

Steve

Inspiration

Inspiration is a wonderful thing! Well I never did get around to making the apron from the last post. Then the next day "WOW" what a difference a day makes!!

Don't know what caused it but I sure know what's different. Block has now gone from the past week. New ideas and plans for marketing.

Sometimes it's nice to be in that place of quiet, pondering and design.

There must come a time though when all that THINKING TIME, to be productive, must be put in front of the market place to at least see if in fact there is a market for it.

That time occurred for me today and that has set the motivation into motion.

Now I have new plans for new builds and further plans for old builds.

All those stuck out there in "Marketing Quandary Land. "SPEND LESS AND USE YOUR LOAF (HEAD) and MORE."

I have been doing so research and have discovered that the best sort of advertising is not necessarily the most expensive.

Being more hands-on (Doing) and less hands-Off (Others doing).

I look forward to allowing the creativity to flow forth with new projects tomorrow.

So I guess the point of this post is to let "ME" and anyone else reading this that no matter how bleak the future looks in order to see it change you have the hang in there.

Cheers


Steve

Have embarked on some new designs today for Human and Pet Urns.

The realisation of designs in ones head always amazes me when put into a practical application.

Because what always works well in theory rarely works well in the Practical application of the design.

So the thinking mode of the sleeping brain will be employed tonight to grant me the solution to the dilemma that currently faces me.

Will keep you up dated with picture tomorrow.

Cheers

Steve

R & D the Fun Phase.

For those of you that have never taken the bold step of designing your own projects, one of the greatest buzzes I get is the R&D phase. That was the position yesterday and now to nut out the challenges facing me on the road to completing this next project. It was inspired by one of Andrew Crawford's Boxes with double veneer over lay. Normally I run solid timbers edging around most of the boxes I create which presents a whole new set of problems with double veneering.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Cheers

Steve