When I am not making a piece of full size furniture I make smaller items; boxes and pens mostly. I tend to give away a lot of them, but I don’t enough people to distribute everything. Add to that the desire for this hobby to contribute to it’s upkeep and the craft mall seemed an obvious solution.

So I gathered my cares and woes and here is what I came up with as an initial inventory:

A few wheelbarrow planters …

Some chairs for smallish people …

A bunch o’boxes, small and simple …

And a collection of pens and pencils …

Hopefully, with Christmas not far down the road, some folks will see my “stuff” and consider them worthy gifts. I’m expecting an interesting and educational experience.

It may be me, but lately it seems that there have been a number of posts saying that people should be stopped. People should be stopped from posting so many projects. People should be stopped from making so many comments. People should be stopped from greetings newcomers. People should be stopped from commenting on older projects. People should be stopped from posting jokes.

After reading these things I wonder why some folks feel it is so important to stop other folks. I won’t deny that I am at time bothered by some of the postings. But hey, it’s not my place to police other people who are operating within the rules. And, it takes no time and minimal effort to skip right past those posts that I have no interest in.

Perhaps I am far enough out of the ordinary that I am not affected by the fact the world doesn’t conform to my desires. Possibly my life is empty enough that I welcome any input into the abyss. Or, possibly I’m old enough to accept that sometimes I will be inconvenienced. And, surprisingly enough, I will also inconvenience others (if you’re reading this, sorry for the inconvenience).

I can honestly say that in my time on LumberJocks, I have never been harmed in any way. I have had to click the ‘Next Page’ a few times more than I might like, but it certainly didn’t hurt me any.

Now, granted, my ego has been smacked a couple times. But, truth be told, it probably really needed it. So, I find it difficult to find any fault in people who might use this site different than I do. After all, the absence of my perfection is on full display.

I guess this is another of those posts about how the site is used, and I guess my real question is, if there is no harm or hardship created, and only very minor inconvenience, does it really matter?

In two weeks, I have learned that if I need to, I can discipline myself to complete projects on a deadline. I have been known to start things and set them off to the side, but this challenge has put me into a position to complete what I start. That’s a good thing.

Coming up with a regular stream of projects is no small feat. This challenge has forced me to consider the need to be able to “create” at will. I’m sure that professionals are called upon to build either for inventory or, because a potential client wants something out of the ordinary. I am now pretty sure that creativity can be summoned.

I also learned to “listen” to my materials a little better. By that I mean that I’m learning to look at a piece of wood and visualize a project suitable to it. While you can make anything with any piece of wood, some pieces of lumber are just asking to be something specific.

I view this increased sensitivity as a good thing. Even though some of what I’ve done is less than stellar (significantly so), I’ve improve my willingness to evaluate the materials I work with before starting a project.

I have learned to trust my instincts a little more. I am a master second-guesser. I have never seen a problem I didn’t want to solve, or a solution that I didn’t have a problem with. I have the ability to doubt anything I do. For those of you following at home, this can really slow things down and even cause errors. There is the possibility to do things too deliberately. This challenge has forced me to commit to decisions. Sometimes that means making something more than once and sometimes that means getting something done in a timely manner. Both are good results.

Good things have come from this challenge so far and I’m glad I started it. However, I’ve also learned that arbitrary deadlines can cause unnecessary rushing, bad design decisions and a willingness to accept second rate work.

I knew going in to the challenge that I would be pushing things. The types of projects I typically make and enjoy making do not always lend themselves to a one a day schedule. I’m not particularly happy about that.

I like that I’ve able to have multiple projects in progress, but I must admit that I’ve done some things, simply to stay on schedule, that I am not proud of. While my activities in the shop have been more focused, I’ve been more concerned with having enough projects than I’m comfortable with.

All in all, the challenge has been a good thing. However, I believe at this point I will bow out. After these two weeks I am convinced I could complete 30 projects. But, I’m not sure I’d like them. In my woodworking I want to continue to increase my skill and quality and I don’t see that coming from continuing the challenge.

I walk away with some very good lessons and a little bit more confidence in my skills. And, I wish Darryl and Scott good luck in their efforts.

I’ve got 5 pens (actually 3 pens and 2 pencils) which are pretty straightforward and fortunately don’t require a lot of shop time. Being a novice turner, my take on pens is to pretty much make them round and let the wood do the talking. No fancy designs here.

What I’ve got is a Longwood pen and pencil set and a Cigar pen and pencil set, both made with Ebony, and then a Longwood pen made with Tulip wood. The Mrs. really liks that one. (It looks like I’ll need a new camera because I can’t seem to get the quality pen pictures that many others seem to get)

Then I have a variation on the wheelbarrow; a flower cart. Definitely smaller than those I saw growing up, but perfect for a pot or two on the patio. Like it’s companion, the wheelbarrow, it’s made of pine and coated with shellac.

Next is the step stool. I’ve been planning on making one of these since my first grandchild and finally have gotten around to it (with 5 grandkids and counting). It’s made of red oak and will do quite nicely when the tykes need to wash their hands and brush their teeth.

Then there is an attempt at a jewelry box with three drawers. Drawers are hard enough, but when they’re small they can be a real bother. But, I like the combination of walnut and spalted maple.

Then there’s the sisters. They’re not twins, but look similar and made from the same material; willow and leopard wood.

Once again I have to mention that the Mrs. has allowed me all the shop time I need to particpate in this challenge. I’ve spent most of my free time there working on things to make sure that I don’t fall behind. Because this is a hobby, I tend to wander off and not finish thing in a timely manner. So far, this challenge has made me aware of time constraints and the need to work through issues with a project. It gives me a little insight into what shop time might be like for the pros who depend on their work.

One week down and 12 projects completed. The down time when my daughter comes should not put me too far behind. Still to come, the cherry sofa table and what the Mrs. calls a grandson clock in butternut.

These are pretty simple and go together rather quickly.

The next is a cherry box for the wife of my lumber supplier. She asked for a box and this is what I made.

I also have a LongWood Pen and a LongWood Pencil made with Ebony, but I haven’t taken any pictures yet, so those two don’t count yet. (No pictures, didn’t happen if I recall correctly) But they’re coming.

In process is a spalted maple and walnut jewelry box, a cherry topped sofa table, and I have some leopard wood resawn and glued up waiting to be a box top. At this point, I’ve run out of milled lumber and will have to start cleaning up some in order to continue.

All in all, I’m feeling pretty good about my progress. The trick will be coming up with different things to make, but I’ve got all month, right?

I thought as an additional challenge, I would only use the lumber currently in my shop. I have about 300 bdft in my basement, but I should probably use what is at hand. Plus this will cause me to consider the wood as well as the project, because sometimes the wood dictates the project. So, here’s what I have to work with. (And, it’s all rough which means I will be doing some dressing before building.)

I have 2 pen and pencil sets (that’s four kits) and one candle holder. Unless I find something else buried somewhere, this will probably be the extent of my turning.

Here is the lumber scattered about my shop. There’s a good variety including, walnut, cherry, red oak, butternut, elm, sycamore, spalted maple, ash, willow, pine and some leopard wood cut offs. I figure I should be able to get some interesting things out of all this.

Now that I’ve started, I’m actually rather excited about the prospect of forcing myself into productivity.

I wanted to join Scott back in November, but I didn’t have the guts. Today I throw my hat in the ring and commit to 30 projects in 30 days. While I do turn, it’s more of a filler activity for me. Most of my projects are furniture and generally take more than a day to complete. I’ve looked over that things that I’ve made, and there are plenty of projects available that do not involve turning and can be completed in a day. While I hope to still have some furniture pieces in the mix, there will be some boxes and pens and who knows what else.

In case you’re wondering, I haven’t really thought this through, but just jumped in with both feet. I’m looking for an exercise in discipline and a consistent practice of the craft I enjoy. I don’t expect to actually sell anything I make, but since I have a big family and a friend. Nothing will be hanging around here for long.

So, as a prelude to the start of 30 days of discipline, allow me to invite a few more LumberJocks to take up the challenge. It’s for personal growth, and who among us couldn’t use a little of that?

First, let me say that hand tool work is hard. I’m making a few tables and thought it was a good opportunity to practice flattening the tops using my planes. And, when all was said and done, they were definitely better than when I’ve relied on my power sanders. HOWEVER, when I was done, my arms and shoulders were quite sore. Apparently planes don’t cut through wood as easily as it looks; they require someone to push them. And the repetitive pushing causes a bit of a strain on the old muscles. So while the result is desirable, it’s a lot of work.

Second, hand sanding has become very theraputic for me. I find I enjoy the simplicity of it and the rhythm that accompanies the process. Well, at least until my hand cramps up. Still I’ve found that as I sand, I get a hint of when I’m ready to move to the next grit by the sound the sandpaper produces as it moves across the wood. As the wood begins approaches the point where it’s time to change, the pitch of the abrasive get a little bit higher and a little bit softer. It’s almost as if the wood is saying, “I’m ready for the next step.”

Finally, have you ever wondered what you look like to someone else while you’re working? While cleaning out some mortises with a chisel a picture of my grandfather working at his bench came to mind. I wondered if people saw me working would they think of a meticulous older man fiddling with a part to get it to fit just right? Or, would they just see me hunched over tapping a chisel into a piece of wood? I’d like to think of myself as that meticulous fella, but sometimes I think I’m just some guy pounding on wood.

So as it turns out, this whole woodworking experience is more than just making stuff, but an opportunity to let the mind wander a bit.

Today I had the opportunity to share a meal with Marc and Nicole Spagnuolo.

It was nothing like I expected.

With Marc being an internet celebrity and Nicole being a national beauty, I was at first surprised that they would be willing to meet and spend time with a silly old man. This surprise was seeded by the fact that last time I made the trip from Detroit to Phoenix they were conveniently “out of town.” Nevertheless, through constant badgering and basic begging they consented to meet at a neutral and public location.

I expected them to be cordial and polite. I expected conversations about the weather and travel. My expectations were met. Then things got interesting.

As it turns out, the Spanuolo’s are cordial and polite, AND downright friendly, pleasant, easy to talk to and quite interesting. After asking to meet Marc, I had second thoughts figuring he might be busy this holiday season and my personal request was a bit of an intrusion. Yet, Marc and Nicole said something along the lines of, “Hey, how ‘bout we meet up for lunch?”

Conversation covered pretty much anything, and it was fun and intelligent. The time went beyond cordial and polite to friendly and personal (not too personal, just enough). As time went on I enjoyed their company more and the encounter became my best experience in Phoenix, second only to spending time with my kids and grandkids.

Today I had the opportunity to meet Marc and Nicole Spagnuolo and it was nothing like I expected … It was worlds better.

And then there are the prizes. I realized as I was entering my project that I didn’t even know what I was competing for. When the challenge was announced I didn’t pay attention to the prize list. Why bother if I wasn’t going to win? Yet, since I did enter I figured that I should probably see what I was competing for and if it was something that I could even use in my shop (Yeah all tools are good tools, but some I simply don’t use).

It occurred to me that if I wasn’t the only one who didn’t expect to win, then I probably wasn’t the only one who didn’t know what the prizes were. Then I had to ask myself, “Self, why are you competing if winning isn’t in the picture?” After all, the purpose of a competition is to determine a winner. And, if it’s clear that won’t be you, why bother?

And the answer is, “Because.”

Because in my time here there is a certain peer pressure, a certain temptation. Those whose skills exceed mine are constantly pressuring me to be better. Some overtly, but most with expert subtlety. You know the line, they say things like, “Great job,” or “You’re getting better,” or other such encouragements that lead you down the path of improvement. You mention your mistakes and they take it in stride telling you that next time it will be even better, all the while convincing you that you can acquire the skills necessary. There are quite a few “pushers” here who addict you to quality and improvement.

And then come the challenges. You see the challenge and as a result of all the positive talk, you believe you can do it. You believe that you can participate and meet the requirements of the challenge. You know your skills do not match the masters, but you believe you can accomplish the task set before you.

As it turns out, that’s the best part of these challenges; the opportunity to exercise your new found skill and confidence. The objective (for me at least) is not necessarily to win, but to compete honorably. To be able to do what has been asked of you. The prizes are for someone else, but the challenge is for all.

So while I don’t expect to win, I’ve had the opportunity to participate. I’ve entered because I wanted to show me that I had progressed. It’s actually a pretty good feeling.