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Ethan

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Ethan

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751 posts in 1065 days

Location: Saint Peters, MO
Website: http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com

This is a dangerous website for me... a place where a Technical Writer come Woodworker can set up his very own free Blog in under five minutes. I'm afeared my productivity will forever be thwarted!

I've only just recently (as the tree grows) entered the addictive and amazing activity of woodplaying. Growing up on a farm, my brothers and I were always making things with wood and whatever nails or screws we could find (usually nails, since we didn't have cordless screwdrivers on the farm and I can't quite picture myself driving a screw in by hand). But they were always haphazard and quickly made and fell under the category of "good enough".

The past few years have definitely been different. If I ever hear myself say or think, "oh, that's good enough", you can almost guarantee I'm going to recut that piece or keep working that piece until it reaches "ok, that's good."

I take pride in every project I do, no matter how big or small. Because of that pride, "good enough" no longer makes the cut. That said, I also understand it will probably take me several years to develop the skill level I'm after; so I don't waste time with perfection - I am smart enough to know when I've achieved the highest level of quality I can achieve with my current skills.

Over the past year, I've been working with a friend to develop a website for my woodworking hobby. It is a slow and arduous task; more difficult than woodworking at times. One of our goals was to set up a Blog for me to chronicle the life of my woodworking alter-ego. Thanks to Marc, The Wood Whisperer, who directed me to this site with his interview, I think I can tell my friend we're able to skip that section and focus on other aspects of it.

The Gallery section of my website is still under development. Until such a time as it can be completed (or at least in full working order - hopefully the gallery of works will never really be "completed"), I have another gallery at my shutterfly account:
www.merganserwoodworks.shutterfly.com

I'm definitely going to like being a member of the lumberjocks...

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

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38 comments so far

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7034 posts in 1190 days


posted 1064 days ago

Welcome aboard

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1397 posts in 1363 days


posted 1064 days ago

I didn’t plan to create dangerous website for you, Ethan.. The good thing is that you mean that in a positive way ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1064 days ago

I certainly do, Martin! Your hard work and efforts are not unappreciated!

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Obi's profile

Obi

2191 posts in 1128 days


posted 1064 days ago

“Good enough” is just another way of politely saying that it sucks. (Well, in most cases)
Welcome to Lumberjocks

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

View kat's profile

kat

18 posts in 1082 days


posted 1064 days ago

Welcome I think you will like it here. The people are very nice and helpful!

-- Kathy, Kersey Colorado, kh1@hughes.net

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1068 days


posted 1064 days ago

Ethan, from one newby to another, welcome!

Thanks for sharing your web site with us – a nice clean 2.0 look.

Now since you want constructive criticism, how about making it possible to click on the pic’s in your web site for larger views?

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1063 days ago

Yep, that is something we’re working on, Don. It is a slow and painful process, sometimes. I’m trying to learn as much about the programming of my site as I can while Chris works on it, but there is a lot that is also beyond me, and I know that.

The way he puts it, he gets paid a lot of money by Enterprise to be able to do this. If just anyone could do it, then there wouldn’t be any reason to pay HIM a lot of money! Ok, I can accept that. :)

Right now, Chris is in the throws of moving most of the belongings from his house into his parents’ house so he can put it on the market for a fast sale. He and his wife and his two children have quickly out-grown it. There is a house in the area they want, at the price they want, but the seller won’t take a contingency of sale in the offer, so they must first sell their own house.

In light of that situation, I feel it best to just let them complete that process and settle in to their new house before we worry about website construction for a while!

But he does do top notch work, doesn’t he? I can take credit for nothing other than the things in the pictures (except for having taken the pictures, as well…).

In the mean time, I do have a gallery of work on my Shutterfly account. It is a bit of a misuse of the shutterfly system, but it works well for me! I’ll post the web address on my profile, but here it is, too:
www.merganserwoodworks.shutterfly.com

It doesn’t give as much writing room as a writer might want… but that is something Chris also makes me do – limit my writing for descriptions and the introduction paragraphs! He tortures me!

I’m surprised he didn’t see it before, though… a blog would have been JUST the thing I needed to have set up first! But no matter. I’ve already told him that we should just link up my website to lumberjocks.com and put a little badge on there and such and we’re done with that part of the website. Actually, I need to check my email for his response on that…

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1068 days


posted 1050 days ago

Ethan, I re-read your Profile and was struck with your phrase ”ok, that’s good.”... I take pride in every project I do, no matter how big or small. Because of that pride, “good enough” no longer makes the cut. ..(but) I don’t waste time with perfection..

I’ve used this phrase in my business and personal life for years, ”Excellence is expected, perfection is a waste of time.”

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1050 days ago

Unfortunately, I’ve found more often in the business world that perfection is expected, but when it really comes down to it you only need to just get by, especially when the bottom line is concerned.

Very frustrating.

And probably why I try to reverse that in my non-corporate life.

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14152 posts in 1051 days


posted 1047 days ago

I enjoyed reading your introduction. I am working on overcoming the “good enough” perception of my work, so thanks for the reminder!! :)
My goal, when starting my woodworking journey ( a few months ago) was to make boxes – beautiful pieces of art that are really functional. I have yet to make a box. I am interested in your journals that you have created. I have been doing leatherwork for the past year and am in love with the process. As I am also a hobby-writer I I have wanted to make a leatherbound book but haven’t known how to do it. Now, I have a picture of what it will look like, thank you very much! I’m really looking forward to this, as I can bring my writing, my leatherwork, and my woodworking all into one project!! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1047 days ago

That was my goal, as well, Debbie. When trying to figure out what size to make your books, remember to keep in mind what kind of paper you want to use and in what sizes you can order the paper. I use 80lb parchment paper in mine; I have to buy it in bulk sizes (something like 36”x 60”? It was huge…) and then have another place cut them down to size for me.

Also, if you try a technique similar to mine, you’ll need to find a place to order the brass screw posts I use for binding. The best place I’ve found, for quality, solid brass posts, is Lee Valley (www.leevalley.com). When on their site, search for “Chicago Bolt” or “Chicago Screw” (it is listed as one of those and I can’t remember which one off the top of my head).

Let me know if you come across any other problems along your journey; I’m always happy to share information on resources and techniques!

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14152 posts in 1051 days


posted 1047 days ago

thank you Ethan. I’ll definitely keep you posted.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14152 posts in 1051 days


posted 1047 days ago

http://www.zelikovitz.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=486 would this be the screw posts? (This is from the leather supply company that I use).

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1047 days ago

Well… they are similar.

I’ve tried several different kinds over the past two years, and all other brands have left me with concerns. Some of them were not really the solid brass they claimed. A lot of them only came in 3/8” size (like the one you showed me) – once you add up the thickness for the wood spine and the leather, that doesn’t leave you much room in the middle for paper!

I really prefer the Chicago Screws I get from Lee Valley. They are well-made, solid brass, and they come in many different sizes. I usually have a good supply of 3/4” and 1” spans on hand.

It all goes back to quality in/quality out. If you don’t use quality pieces in your works, you will have a much harder time trying to achieve a quality product.

Unfortunately, it is going to be the same way when it comes to hinges for your small jewelry boxes. You can probably get away with using the inexpensive hinges from Lowes or Home Depot, but if you want to build an heirloom box that will last and get passed down for generations, you’ll want to go wtih something like Brusso hinges…

http://www.vandykes.com/product/02015511/

It seems like an awful lot of money (and, to be honest, it is) but the difference in quality will be absolutely noticeable by you and everyone else.

That isn’t to say you can’t use the Home Depot brass hinges when applicable… I made a router bit box for my little brother for Christmas this past year. There isn’t any use in throwing away $25 on Brusso hinges for a simple router bit box; in that case, I think it would be perfectly acceptable to go with the less-expensive materials.

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1397 posts in 1363 days


posted 1046 days ago

Ethan, feel free to change your display name to “Ethan” to prevent the problems with spacing in the Most Active LJs block ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1046 days ago

Ha! Would you mind if I kept it the way it is, Martin? Its a bit of a “theme” thing for me…

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1397 posts in 1363 days


posted 1046 days ago

No problem, Ethan.. I will think about some kind of most active jocks box workaround later.

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1397 posts in 1363 days


posted 1046 days ago

Just an idea.. you can also use “Red Headed Merganser” as your display name. With spaces it will wrap nicely. But if you want to keep it without spaces, forget it ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1046 days ago

How do I change that, Martin? When I look at my Account screen, it isn’t really a changeable field…

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1397 posts in 1363 days


posted 1046 days ago

Use Real name field for it and then change Name display drop down from Nickname to Real name.

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1046 days ago

:) Worked. Thanks, Martin!

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1397 posts in 1363 days


posted 1046 days ago

perfect. it looks good on the home page too ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Obi's profile

Obi

2191 posts in 1128 days


posted 1044 days ago

You must have just changed it. I looked at it two minutes ago, and then again 30 seconds ago and it was different. BY-THE-WAY, very stylish. Nice layout, sharp images. now i think I’ll have to change me whole website.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1044 days ago

My friend, Chris, is my web designer. He is a web developer/designer for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, here in St. Louis. It’s what he does for a living, so… he’s pretty good at it.

Unfortunately, that means it is difficult for me to work on it; at the moment, I’m at the fate of his whim and time for updates. Eventually, we will have it set up with a database, where I can change screens and add projects and gallery pictures and products by modifying access tables.

For the moment, it is slow work.

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View bud's profile

bud

21 posts in 1045 days


posted 1023 days ago

Thanks so much all of you guys, Great friends, good info, tremendious talent you all have.
Real glad I found this site on the Woodwhisper’s web site. Still amazed at the talent and display of friendship I have found here!
thanks again all of you.
bud

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14152 posts in 1051 days


posted 1022 days ago

Ethan, thanks for all the information on hinges etc. I don’t know how I missed this before.
NOW I am really looking forward to our trip to Lee Valley tomorrow.. Yipppppppeeee

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 1022 days ago

Hey, wait! No fair gloating about how close you live to the Lee Valley store!

I’m jealous.

All I have to look forward to is the brown bag sale at Woodcraft tomorrow. :) Anything you can get into the brown bag (at least 1/2 the item must fit in the bag) is 15% off. I was going to head down there and do a little shopping some time in the next week or two, anyway, so… I think I’ll start up a small list! :)

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14152 posts in 1051 days


posted 1022 days ago

that sounds EXCITING !!!

it’s like Christmas, isn’t it?? (or a birthday, or some other special day that you look forward to).

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Karson's profile (online now)

Karson

25787 posts in 1291 days


posted 991 days ago

Welcome to LumberJocks.

Ethan I used to live in Florisant Mo, and Webster Groves. That seems like a lifetime ago. Got transferred to New York to AT&T from Southwestern Bell (the old name)

We enjoyed our time there.

When we bought our home in Webster Groves, it was a facuilty home for a seminary. The homes were built in 1905 from materials taken from the disassembly of the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair. One of the homes in the neighbourhood had St Louis Worlds Fair written on one of the beams in the basement.

It turn out that the house was built in the Craftsman style or Arts and Crafts. All of the woodwork in our house had been painted, but our neighbours home still had the dark fumed oak finish on the walls on the first floor.

Very nice home. I didn’t know what Arts and Crafts was at the time or I would have appreciated it more.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1397 posts in 1363 days


posted 981 days ago

Ethan.. go back to work! Everybody is now expecting our cool new guide LOL

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 981 days ago

Will do, Martin!

Nothing like being in demand, eh?

Guides, pictures of me with famous woodworkers, tools I’m restoring… whew

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14152 posts in 1051 days


posted 981 days ago

I think I saw the whip coming out Ethan.. you’d better hurry.
Put down that pix of your “buddy” Mr. what’s his name ;)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7034 posts in 1190 days


posted 937 days ago

Ethan,
Here’s a picture of what must be your favorite bird.

I took this from my deck. They hang around our beach in the late afternoon.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View WayneC's profile (online now)

WayneC

5952 posts in 988 days


posted 937 days ago

Are these at your place Dick?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

View Karson's profile (online now)

Karson

25787 posts in 1291 days


posted 937 days ago

Sorry about your login name. I had a fit of laziness. I know i spelled it wrong. and didn’t go to find your name. I apologize, it won’t happen again because of laziness, but maybe from mistyping.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7034 posts in 1190 days


posted 937 days ago

Yup!
Check these out.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1065 days


posted 937 days ago

No problem, Karson! :)

I thought it was funny that you called me a “Messenger”, anyway…

Dick, great pictures! They are funny little ducks – they make different noises from what you would expect in that it almost sounds like a grunting noise.

Or is that the hooded merganser? It might be the hooded. (Where’s my wife when I have a birding question?)

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View mtnwild's profile

mtnwild

2011 posts in 418 days


posted 416 days ago

Having fun on this site and people like you make it real. If I knew how to type I’d say more, however, great work and enthusiasm. Just thinking out loud, no offense, I thought you seemed more red-headed woodpecker. LOL>> later.

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

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