Workin’ it Out
As you guys can see, I am starting to figure out how to get pictures into the blog. I am pretty jazzed about this.
Crackin’ Me Up!
I got back online tonight after my family went to bed and I bust out in laughter upon seeing the responses to my efforts. You guys are great. I hope to meet everyone someday.
Apple Help
The best $100 I ever spent was on the Apple One on One training so that I could get things going on the computer. I get 1 hour once a week to have someone tutor me in the ways of the mystical Apple methods.
My first priority was to get my website going. That alone made the computer worth every dollar spent.
Today’s session was the first opportunity that I had to ask about copy and pasting photos and text to LJ. Time was short and my Apple guy had to speed read the directions for LJ. Every site has a slightly different way to type in the code evidently, that is why I typed it in a little different.
Another issue with the copy command was addressed when we checked a preference setting and found that it was turned off. That is why I could not make it work, even when I was following directions.
Stress Fractures
I have been working quite a bit the last two weeks in particular. I have even been working on Sundays. I did just finish a fantastic frame that I built to display a woven metal sculpture for my best clients, the Coopers here in Ohio.
My work days have been long. Then I spend my evenings working on my website and marketing until the wee hours of the morning.
My wife asked me the other day if I missed her. I told her, “No offense honey, I don’t have time.”
Of course the truth is I miss her tremendously and my dogs Cookie and Bella too.
Reality Check
If you wonder what it is like to be a professional woodworker, you guys are getting a glimpse of the reality of it here. I am sure that you may get a good picture of the life from Marc DeCou as well.
Honestly, I love it. I had deadlines to meet by this weekend, extras popped up, and I managed to pull through with fantastic designs and great finished products.
Working for yourself is not about time off, it’s about being in control, making the decisions, and bearing the burden of responsibility for success and failure. There is a direct relationship of effort input to the business and my success.
Many of the same feelings of excitement, stress, fear, and euphoria are not unlike what I have experienced as a rock climber, kick boxer, and soldier. I am still an adrenaline junkie at the heart of it all.
Answers to Your Questions:
The table pictured in the blog has a top 4’ wide by 6’ 6” long (I think). Going to the full 8’ length seemed too big for my space. A 6’ table top length is nice because an 8’ sheet will not flip up on you after it goes through the saw.
I clean my shop everyday that I use it. A quick blast of air into the cubbies keeps them cleaned out pretty good. Every couple of weeks I will do a good “deep cleaning” through the shop.
Some people say that I am anal retentive. I prefer to say that I care.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
17 comments so far
dennis mitchell
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3051 posts in 853 days
posted 526 days ago
Here it is 9 PM and I’m doing cut list for the morning, some book work, and catching up on a bit of LumberJocks…The wonderful world of woodworking seems to attract people who care.
OK Todd…back to work!
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
mot
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4862 posts in 575 days
posted 526 days ago
Ahhh, the eventual story! Excellent!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Todd A. Clippinger
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2673 posts in 638 days
posted 526 days ago
lkjfksdflkj kjlkj alkflkj kjflkj?
asdwiskdnf! aksdjflkja.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Napaman
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2099 posts in 616 days
posted 526 days ago
goood stuff…I dug post holes for a 80 foot redwood fence today…so exhausted (but still checking LJ) that I am glad this is not my profession…learned a lot though working with someone who has done this…but glad this is for “fun” and not an everyday thing—-of course digging post holes is not woodworking…but you must be exhausted…cheers to you…your work is amazing…keep sharing when you get a chance…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...119 days to sanity...
Don
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2586 posts in 715 days
posted 526 days ago
Quote Todd A. Clippinger: ”My wife asked me the other day if I missed her. I told her, “No offense honey, I don’t have time.”
Of course the truth is I miss her tremendously and my dogs Cookie and Bella too.”
Todd, this cracked me up – are you sure your not a bloke from Australia? This sure sounds like Aussie male-talk to me. LOL
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/
WaywardHoosier
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59 posts in 574 days
posted 526 days ago
Todd,
What I have found to be a great source of information on the Lumberjock website is a Woodworker writing about his/her business and what it takes to own and run that business. It really helps people that are in contemplation about making a major career change.
In today’s market, you have to have computer skills to maintain a business. The end product still uses the skills and tools of years ago, but to run a business …that’s a different story.
And a lot of enthusiam and energy…. and that you have Todd!
-- WaywardHoosier - Behind schedule and over budget, but who's counting?
Bob Babcock
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1807 posts in 625 days
posted 526 days ago
Good to see you Todd. Glad to hear things are going well.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Todd A. Clippinger
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2673 posts in 638 days
posted 526 days ago
Don,
I think it’s universal male talk, we are victims of our gender.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Karson
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13834 posts in 939 days
posted 525 days ago
Todd: Glad to help any way I could. I’m glad to see pictures from you. And an occasional post make us appreciate you even more, when you do get to come back and visit.
Good luck in your marketing.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
scottb
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3062 posts in 865 days
posted 525 days ago
We LJ’s are an interesting breed. The best of yesteryear, mixed with enough knowledge of tomorrow. Seems so different from way back when – though the same was probably true back then as well… just different technologies to be awed, inspired or threatened by.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
WayneC
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5684 posts in 636 days
posted 525 days ago
Hmmm. I view woodworking as an escape from technology. I have no desire to make money from it, only release the stress of what I do with technology for money. Interesting to see it applied the other way.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
scottb
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3062 posts in 865 days
posted 525 days ago
A year ago I had the same perspective Wayne… I guess I still do, just reversed. (Actually I’m trying to find the perfect balance of working with my hands and on the computer – whether at “work” or in life.
Not ready to be “in it for the money” yet – if ever. (apart from the random craft show or equivalent). In fact I’m in an odd position actually flip-flopping on whether I want to take on a small job. Not sure if the time or money is more important at the moment. Once upon a time, I’d have immediatley taken the job – a buck’s a buck, right… now I wonder if it’s enough to take me away from all the other obligations (regardless of whether I need the cash or not.)
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Todd A. Clippinger
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2673 posts in 638 days
posted 525 days ago
Having a steady job and taking on a furniture or woodworking project every now and then is really a great way to enjoy it. You can usually do pretty well at having the hobby support itself without all the stress of trying to make your house payment – or doghouse payment in Wayne’s case.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
WayneC
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5684 posts in 636 days
posted 525 days ago
A handplane and a bowl of kibble and I am set.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Napaman
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2099 posts in 616 days
posted 523 days ago
looks like a lot of kibble…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...119 days to sanity...
WayneC
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5684 posts in 636 days
posted 523 days ago
Perhaps I should have specified Lie-Nielson handplanes and kibble.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
oscorner
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4573 posts in 849 days
posted 523 days ago
Your work is superb and your clients have been blessed with your talents and love of woodworking. Oh yes, and so are we! Love seeing your work and reading you blogs. Thanks for going through the stresses of doing it for a living.
-- Jesus is Lord!