I signed onto LJ’s just over a year ago at the urging of my brother, Greg3g. When I signed on I was nothing more than a hack wood butcher. Yea, I thought that I was a “woodworker”, but that was just a pipe dream. I had built a few shelving unit from 2×4s and plywood but nothing of real substance besides a workbench that my EX-wife got with the house (she gave it to the guys who remodeled her garage into a bedroom after I moved out).
That being said, with the encouragement and urging of YOU, I have actually started making pretty things, actually putting pen to paper to actually design things and have actually made money ($20). I have pushed myself (with your encouragement) to the point that built something I felt was good enough to enter into the 2008 summer challenge, in which I placed 6th in the serving class and 12th over all. WOW. I was impressed by the encouragement and support that I received.
All that being said, I took the serving tray that I entered in the summer challenge and a cutting board to the Wilson County Fair and entered them in the county fair. I would never would have imagined a year ago that I would be putting anything of my garage shop that would be worthy entering in the fair let alone having placed so well in a WORLD WIDE contest.
Thank you again for everything.
Adrian
-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"
13 comments so far
Max
home | projects | blog
6627 posts in 813 days
posted 116 days ago
Adrian,
Congratulations on the 2008 summer challenge placement. You will have to keep us updated as to how it goes in the County Fair, it is great that you entered you items. We will all be interested to hear.
-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT
Douglas Bordner
home | projects | blog
2741 posts in 604 days
posted 116 days ago
Congrats, Adrian on your contest placement and fair entry. This site does a world for our advancement in the art of working wood. But to me you will always be famous for bringing the 11rh commandment down from the mountainside, and memorable for your association with Brother Greg and Pink Handcuff Girl. I’m glad your a Jock.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
rikkor
home | projects | blog
8632 posts in 414 days
posted 116 days ago
Man, this is such a positive posting. It is really good to hear that you got so much from this site. I feel the same way, and I haven’t won anything.
-- Maplewood, MN
Rustic
home | projects | blog
324 posts in 136 days
posted 116 days ago
congrats man you deserve it
-- Rick Kruse, Rick's Rustics Handcrafted wood products Grand Rapids, MI
RAH
home | projects | blog
330 posts in 417 days
posted 116 days ago
Let us know what happens at the fair, it may help encourage others to enter their local fairs. Learning is fun and applying what we have learned is that much better.
Thanks for the post, Ron
-- Ron Central, CA
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
2675 posts in 639 days
posted 116 days ago
Congratulations!
It has been great having you as part of the LJ family.
It is always fun to watch others grow in their skills, and you are moving right along.
I appreciate that you share your journey with us.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
SteveKorz
home | projects | blog
1419 posts in 254 days
posted 116 days ago
Congrats! I liike these positive postings… I feel like I’ve grown too. I’m still stunned that such a great site like this exists, what a blessing.
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Karson
home | projects | blog
14323 posts in 940 days
posted 116 days ago
Adrian: It’s great to see you improve what you thought were your talents. When really is was you seeking to sharpen the talents you already had.
Great job.
I’m glad that you listened to your bro.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
DrSawdust
home | projects | blog
221 posts in 638 days
posted 116 days ago
Way to go Adrian. Just reading your posting is inspiring me to actually try and enter one of the challenges. Thank YOU !!!
-- Making sawdust is what I do best
Eric
home | projects | blog
705 posts in 323 days
posted 116 days ago
Congratulations, man! And way to go, LumberJocks.
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
Russel
home | projects | blog
1333 posts in 479 days
posted 115 days ago
Adrian I couldn’t agree with you more about the encouragement here. It is remarkable how it pushes you to be better than you thought you could be while subtly telling you that you’re not as good as you might think. It’s a great place to be and you are an important part of the community. Along with others, I’m glad you’re here.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
12282 posts in 700 days
posted 115 days ago
isn’t this a great place??? The LumberJocks push each other to get better and better—not just with their comments but the projects posted as well. Always inspiring and always aspiring.
Good luck at the Fair!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Greg3G
home | projects | blog
686 posts in 625 days
posted 115 days ago
I’m proud of you. You have taken this and really have made great strides in you progress. I’m glad you enjoy this as much as I do. I think this has brought us closer together even though we are seperated by hundreds of miles. Thanks for joining me in this. It means a great deal to me.
Your Brother,
Greg
-- Greg - Charles Town, WV