Get Published - Bookcase Challenge #2: Announcement

Hmmmmm….....well I can’t draw a straight line and still haven’t figured out sketch up so I maybe outa this one, but I might cowboy up and try anyway.

-- Adrian The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"

there’s no time like the present to challenge yourself and try something new.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

It sounds like you need to be ready to build the bookcase if you win and need a presentable shop to build it in.

-- Jack - Mission Viejo, Calif - I may not be good, but I'm slow.

Rats, I have a hard time doing sketches. I’m going to have to dive into the sketchup program. I’d like to try this. I would like nothing better than to be published in a magazine. Would be a neat thing. My brother and sister have been published multiple times in their genres – so I think it would be neat if I could to.

I’m going to give it a shot.

Come an jocks! Lets get a competition going here!

-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle

Good luck to all those who enter!

How detailed does initial design need to be?

A set of plans, or just a rough sketch?

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I can use Sketchup pretty-well, but I’m not sure how well I could design an award-winning bookcase. Even if I could, I doubt I would be able to build it to match my design. If anyone wants to try creating something on paper maybe you can send it my way and I’ll try to model it. :)

I just had someone asking me for a bookcase…could it be fate?

-- Bob, Yorkville, IL ...The more you know, the more you know you don't know

No interest in bookcases. I’d like to do an article on zero clearance tablesaw inserts. How to make ‘em and fine tune ‘em. Do you think the magazine would pay me a big pile of money for that? The last idea I submitted to a magazine got me $100 and an American Woodworker work shirt (nice one, too!)
Seems kind of boring having everyone make bookcases. Where’s your creativity?

-- Sir Robert

I am pretty sure that I have no idea how to make something that will stand out against all the talent I see on these posts all the thime, but I am always looking to learn something new. Sketch up, here I come. Can you book case look like a 1930 model aa? Just kidding…

-- www.robneves.com

I have a standing request from the LOML to make a shelf, running the length of our hall (16 ft), for display of art objects and books, in Arts and Crafts style. Will this count? As I’ve been thinking this through, it’s seeming like a significant design challenge.

-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA

That’s a very cool prize! Also for those worried about having to build it/write the article the folks at Popular Woodworking will build it for you with your input if you prefer.

“So, if you want to design but not necessarily build your bookcase, we’ll take on the project here in the Popular Woodworking shop and write the article based on your input. It’s going to be your choice. Either way you choose, your name will be on the article.”

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Sir Robert .. have you seen our “thorsen table challenge”?? Everyone started with the same object. The process was a lot of fun and very interesting to see the different takes on the same table.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’m with Gary K do you want detailed plans (joinery, measurements) or just the sketch?

-- Canadian Wood Chuck (Bruce)

If Gary K is entering it’s going to be a tough competition.

-- DocK, WV

No need to be negative Sir_Robert, you don’t like it, you don’t submit an entry, but I think Martin’s huge efforts should be praised or, at least, not diminished by anybody. He’s working very hard for all of us (yes, for promoting his websites mainly—I’m not that naive—but his efforts benefit us all greatly).

Also, I’m with Debbie on this: 36 days here is nearly not enough to judge the vast amount of creativity such a challenge might inspire among the LJ community. Give it some time and I’m sure you will change your mind.

Good luck to all of you that will enter the challenge!

My two cents.

-- Jojo · shopless in Kyoto

Martin thanks once again. This is a wonderful opportunity and a nice job of pairing it with Popular Woodworking as well. You have really raised the stakes on this one.

You deserve a pay raise. At least 15%. :)

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Well, from the simple side of inspiration driven design, you could do an interpretation of Craftsman meets Art Deco. Or maybe Green & Green meet Andy Warhol… Yea, I know it’s odd, or is it? The only thing is for it to be your interpretation. And while there are some rules that say how it needs to be done, think about all the possibilities that could be done. Just when you think it is too wierd, hang a left and push further.

-- Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsman can hide his mistakes.

I was thinking about this challenge this morning when I woke up—and I can see that with our wide range of skills and interests that we will need to provide challenges of all levels: from basic skills to creative challenges, to more advanced skills.
Hopefully we will be able to provide the “right” challenges to fit everyone’s interests and abilities.

As for me… I’ll be designing something, just for the sake of challenging myself. Life is too short to waste opportunities by saying “I can’t”.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Very cool, I may have to play around with Sketchup and see what I can do!

As for creativity… my local woodworking group just completed a BBQ Box project – a pretty simple “box with a lid” thing. But the finished results showcased each member’s personal style in the choice of wood, hardware and finish. I think the most basic projects (bookcase) offer the most room for creativity! You have to really put effort into setting yourself apart.

-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA

This will be fun to watch.

-- Maplewood, MN

Well, if I had only known… I literally just finished this winter project.. 8’ wide, floor to ceiling built in contemporary bookcase of my own design….

I don’t get it. How, in dumb guy words, do you submit an entry in the bookcase design contest? Even more basic, how do you direct a question? Who will answer? How do we comminucate? It is like talking to the wall. Here goes nothing.

For Gil, from # 4 above:

4. Submit your challenge entry as the regular blog entry (not as the project) and tag it with challenge04 (of course you may add any additional tags too)...

And you can see my entry on my Lumberjocks blog

-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com

Thanks Al.. that REALLY helps with seeing the process.

And re: questions .. ask here and someone will get you the answer!!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I have a question about item #7

7. You must include the final model file in your entry – if you’re submitting other than hand drawn plans. SKP SketchUp file or DFX file if you’re using CAD-type program.

How do you attach a file as part of you blog? I’ve attached pictures before but never a “regular” file. I use Photobucket for my pictures, but I didn’t see an option there to upload a standard file.

-- Mike

Are there any different categories for the judging of the prizes? Such as age groups , or skill levels? What if you are a teenager or a beginner woodworker and want to enter this contest and are going against seasoned craftsmen and women? that doesn’t seem very fair.

I’ve entered all of the challenges since I joined this site and I am definitely an underdog – (way below our teenaged woodworkers)!! The challenges have always been really rewarding for me in so many ways.

What I like about this challenge is that the focus at this point is on the design! If you can dream it and draw it you’re “in”. I haven’t dreamed “it” yet though. I hope I come up with something before the deadline!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Arzosa,

I think you are underestimating the abilities of the teenagers that are part of this group. Some of these are producing instructional videos and projects of exceptional quality and are mature well beyond their chronological age.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Just a reminder to everyone:

The idea is NOT to build the project prior to the end of the contest. The build will be part of the fun stuff AFTER a winner is selected – and the winner will build the project in his / her shop, or he / she can elect to let PWW do the build, and he / she still gets his / her name in the PWW article.

-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com

Arzosa – If anything you might have the advantage. This is a design contest, and you don’t carry the baggage,
of older designs, and can approach things with a fresh outlook.

You never know, you might be the next design genius for the next generation.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I have build a lot of bookcases in my career as a trim carpenter so I was going for something that was more like a fine piece of furniture than a bookcase, I don’t think people look at bookcases as furniture, more like a utilitarian object or a build in, sure they want them to look nice and go with their design, but how many antique bookcase do we find. maybe a few but not many. I got the inspiration for my design from a federal style side board with all the inlays and stringing in the legs and top, I just thought it would make a neat book case, it would be low so it wouldn’t dominate the wall or a top hutch could be added.

I tried to do mine in Sketchup but failed to draw it the way I wanted it. Thats why I like my pencil, I just can’t get my mind around Sketchup, I use Autocad and another kitchen cabinet software. but Sketchup just throws me for a loop, I have watched the video’s and followed the tutorials, but I still spend more time trying to figure out one thing or the other and then I get discourage and grab my pencil. I really wish someone would do some podcast on using Sketchup for those of us challenged…lol.

Good Luck everyone
Joey

-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/

Joey,

You are in luck, friend! Look at “this recent entry”: http://lumberjocks.com/topics/2799 . I think many will rejoice. Bob Babcock, a SketchUp guru, has posted these for everyone’s enjoyment.

-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com

Sorry for cross-posting this, but it is important. I made an identical post as a Comment on Martin's video screencast about the Bookcase Challenge :

To everyone entering the Bookcase Challenge (I hope I don’t upset anyone here):

PLEASE make sure you enter the proper tag in your blogs, “challenge04”. It would be sad to see anyone miss out by having an improper tag in their entry :-( .

When I clicked on Martin’s link to view all the entries, only a few came up. But, as I looked through the entries of the last two days, I found at least four more. These were either missing the tag altogether, or the tag was misspelled.

Good luck to all!

-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com

I am trying to create an entry, but can’t figure out how to attach or upload the SketchUp files that go with it. Any help or redirection will be appreciated.

Charles

Charles,

Perfect timing! Please look at the following video tutorial Martin published eralier today. He included uploading the file(s) for the project, too. Enjoy!

-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com

Hey Al.. looks like you are having fun—first one to enter and now you can sit back and enjoy watching everyone as they prepare their entry! :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

We know have the screencast showing the process of submitting your entry
WATCH THE SCREENCAST HERE

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

Answers to the frequently asked questions will be posted in the coming days.

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

Debbie,

I am having LOTS of fun! It is wonderful to see all the beautiful and worthy entries coming in.

-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com

Martin, for us country folk without the blessing of high-speed inetnet connections, would you mind listing out the entry steps? Video is impossible at 28K I’m afraid…..

-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com

Glen answered the frequently asked questions… read here

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com

OK…I guess I might actually throw my hat into the ring. I don’t have a need for a bookcase or the time to build one but given that PW will take care of that side of it now I guess I’m in. Anyone here that can show me how to use Sketchup….;)

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

I completed an interesting bookcase a little while ago, and posted it a few days ago to my website:

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/Recycling%20a%20Ladder.html

What do you think? Is this elligible?

Regards from Perth

Derek

-- Building and Reviewing Tools at http://www.inthewoodshop.com

hello, J tries to put my project on the blog, I have nor am not to arrive .je L thus put on my page of project are what that will be taken into account for the challenge thank you very much sorry for my English

-- jeanmarc manosque france

working feverishly to get mine done.

-- lobbster, Oregon, www.michaellobby.com

Aaaarrrghhh! I finally get an idea for the bookcase challenge. Three days and some intensive Sketchupping too late. Ohh well I’ll be more prepared for the next one. I am looking forward to the results!

-- cough...cough....next big purchase is a wood for the next project, Mark

Just discovered we have a winner. Could not find out on the LJ’s site. I go to the site several times a day and somehow I missed it.

I had to go to Popular Woodworking to get a link back to LJ’s. I guess I was expecting something like the previous contests where there was something on the home page. So I started searching the LJ’s site. Under What’s Hot I found a reference to this blog but didn’t know enough to follow it to part 6 to see we had a winner.

While I’m here, I think it would be nice if there was a way to see all the entries together. As it is now, you have to read each individual blog to see the designs. An image, a link to the SketchUp file and/or the blog entry would be nice.

-- Leon -- Houston, TX - " I create all my own designs and it looks like it "