Wow, its been a while since I've posted in here. Hopefully posting will become a more regular occurrence moving forward. The main news I have is that my woodworking blog, http://reproductionwoodworks.blogspot.com is up and going. If you're interested in woodworking, metalworking, crazy projects, or just seeing what I do in the shop, you should stop by and check it out. I am aiming to update it every other day, so it should have some good content up there, I hope.
Other than that, just muddling through life. Had a couple of car accidents, but thankfully I am doing alright and no one else was seriously injured, so that's good news. Other than that, work goes on, life goes on.
Working on designing a greenhouse, progress on that will be over in Reproduction Woodworks as well, most likely. But I'll probably cross-post to here as well.
Hope you are all doing well.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
New Project!
So, my parents went to Washington for a week for a weaving convention of sorts. They brought back a ton of projects for me to do. Fortunately, this time, they brought back projects that OTHER people want me to do, which means that they are actually viable items for my business. Which is always a good thing. I don't think that the people my parents spoke to expected me to A) Respond as quickly as I did, B) Finish a prototype as quickly as I did, or C) Get them a price and ship date as quickly as I did.
But... Thus far, feedback has been universally positive, and I will probably have orders for these by the end of the week (I am going to make 50 pairs initially, because I am silly like that, and I would rather they sit on the shelf until needed than have to keep setting up and taking down jigs). So that's going to be a really great addition to the product line, but that isn't the really cool part of all this...
I am going to be in a magazine. And not a cheap, we put this together in a weekend, magazine, but an actual legitimate craft magazine (Hand Woven), because the Editor is one of the people who is really interested in some of these items. So I am going to be listed under New Products and get free advertising in a nationally circulated publication. Sorry, I'm a little excited about this, because it could be a fantastic opportunity. Much of the weaving community appreciates good woodworking, and this may lead to a lot of other projects and commissions, if all goes well.
So, what is it that I'm talking about anyway...? Well, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's an image of the first two. In the back is the prototype, in the front is the first one that is actually made with decent wood and sanded to the point I will be sanding to. I still have to put finish on these, but that will be done this evening after I get home and decide what kind of finish I'll be using.
Sorry for the poor picture quality. Will post better ones when they are finished and I use my good camera for some publicity shots.
And my next project!
But... Thus far, feedback has been universally positive, and I will probably have orders for these by the end of the week (I am going to make 50 pairs initially, because I am silly like that, and I would rather they sit on the shelf until needed than have to keep setting up and taking down jigs). So that's going to be a really great addition to the product line, but that isn't the really cool part of all this...
I am going to be in a magazine. And not a cheap, we put this together in a weekend, magazine, but an actual legitimate craft magazine (Hand Woven), because the Editor is one of the people who is really interested in some of these items. So I am going to be listed under New Products and get free advertising in a nationally circulated publication. Sorry, I'm a little excited about this, because it could be a fantastic opportunity. Much of the weaving community appreciates good woodworking, and this may lead to a lot of other projects and commissions, if all goes well.
So, what is it that I'm talking about anyway...? Well, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's an image of the first two. In the back is the prototype, in the front is the first one that is actually made with decent wood and sanded to the point I will be sanding to. I still have to put finish on these, but that will be done this evening after I get home and decide what kind of finish I'll be using.
Sorry for the poor picture quality. Will post better ones when they are finished and I use my good camera for some publicity shots.
 |
| Reed Holders. Prototype in back, first actual one in front. Unfinished. |
And my next project!
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| Spool Holder, to be made out of Beech or Maple. |
Monday, August 15, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Harry Potter
Oh Harry Potter... How you drive me crazy.
As a bit of background to this post, I have undertaken an attempt to read all 7 novels in 7 days. I am somewhat failing at this point, but I have 2 days left, and 3 books to go. I have, to this point, been able to avoid reading the Harry Potter series, but I figured that it couldn't hurt too much to at least know what all the hype is about (I have seen the movies, except for 7 pt. 1 & 2). So I picked up the first one and decided to jam all the way through.
I am ashamed to say that I'm actually really, really enjoying this. Though the plot lines are sometimes rather simplistic or childish (and yes, I understand that is a series designed for children), I am really enjoying the novels. Somewhere, I think Tolkien may be rolling over in his grave at the mere mention of this, but so be it.
In all honesty, the biggest disappointment thus far has been the development (or lack thereof) in Malfoy's character. Honestly, the movies do a better job of showing his aging and maturation (using the word rather loosely), though that may be biased because I am only through book 4, but through movie 6. He seems so perpetually childish and petulant, it gets one-dimensional as time goes on, I'm looking forward to learning more about his motivations from a non-movie perspective. Other than that he's a tremendous prick.
I also am finding that I like Snape's character in the movies so much more than in the books. In the movie, he seems so beautifully captured, and much more alive than in the books. The all-caps shouting that Snape does in some of the passages in book 3 are rather aggravating on my eyes, and hurt my brain. I think the rendition of Snape in the movies is superbly done, and one of the most compelling and interesting characters in the entire movie.
And now, instead of blogging, I should get back to work, so I can finish up and get into Book 5 this evening...
As a bit of background to this post, I have undertaken an attempt to read all 7 novels in 7 days. I am somewhat failing at this point, but I have 2 days left, and 3 books to go. I have, to this point, been able to avoid reading the Harry Potter series, but I figured that it couldn't hurt too much to at least know what all the hype is about (I have seen the movies, except for 7 pt. 1 & 2). So I picked up the first one and decided to jam all the way through.
I am ashamed to say that I'm actually really, really enjoying this. Though the plot lines are sometimes rather simplistic or childish (and yes, I understand that is a series designed for children), I am really enjoying the novels. Somewhere, I think Tolkien may be rolling over in his grave at the mere mention of this, but so be it.
In all honesty, the biggest disappointment thus far has been the development (or lack thereof) in Malfoy's character. Honestly, the movies do a better job of showing his aging and maturation (using the word rather loosely), though that may be biased because I am only through book 4, but through movie 6. He seems so perpetually childish and petulant, it gets one-dimensional as time goes on, I'm looking forward to learning more about his motivations from a non-movie perspective. Other than that he's a tremendous prick.
I also am finding that I like Snape's character in the movies so much more than in the books. In the movie, he seems so beautifully captured, and much more alive than in the books. The all-caps shouting that Snape does in some of the passages in book 3 are rather aggravating on my eyes, and hurt my brain. I think the rendition of Snape in the movies is superbly done, and one of the most compelling and interesting characters in the entire movie.
And now, instead of blogging, I should get back to work, so I can finish up and get into Book 5 this evening...
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Starting again
Well, ladies and gentlemen, after a long absence, I am back again, hopefully with a more consistent and entertaining flow of posts.
I have certainly had an interesting couple of weeks.
Having realized how badly I need to find friends who take me outside my comfort zone and expand my little world, I have started to reach out through several avenues in an attempt to do so. With amazingly limited success. However, the one high point in said search is a wonderful woman named Emily who has been really instrumental in helping me through a tough week. I contacted her, since she was looking for hiking/backpacking friends, and we hit it off fairly well from the beginning. I got to go hiking with her this past weekend, and had a wonderful time. More on that later.
Business wise, things have been going relatively well, aside from the fact that a hinge making factory can't grind a straight edge on a hinge. Seriously, people? Seriously? I am going to start a separate blog for my woodworking, which will be up fairly soon, so stay tuned if you'd like to hear about the more practical (boring) and detailed (more boring) side of what I do. And occasionally see pretty pictures when I finish something that doesn't look like an angry beaver had a seizure with a piece of wood in its mouth.
I destroyed my foot hiking yesterday. Did a 10 mile trip with my friend Stacy and didn't listen to my body when I got a hot-spot on the inside of one of pinkie toe on my right foot. It is now a raw, red mess. And I think I have about 40 mosquito bites. But it was absolutely worth it. I got some amazing pictures of the wildflowers along the way, and chopped off another 5.2 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, which, I have decided, I am going to hike piecemeal, in its entirety, over the next few years. 2000+ miles in total. I think I need to get new hiking boots soon...
And after starting to make a post of truly epic proportions, I am going to break this apart into two posts, one for the review of the trail, and this general post that I am going to do now. The other one will have pictures. I promise. If you ask nicely. And I'm not too lazy.
Anyway, I am going to be going down to the Bay Area for salsa tonight with a good friend of mine, I am very much looking forward to that, I just hope I get all my work done before then.
I apologize that this post is bouncing around alot, I just got off the phone with a woman who works for the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Apparently I am becoming something of a local celebrity, because she heard I do Mountain Man programs, and tracked down my phone number from Coloma Resort, where I do some of my programs. I had no idea I was so popular... They are doing a sportsman expo Sept. 30th-Oct. 2nd, and want us to do a Mountain Man encampment: throw tomahawks, demonstrate primitive skills (archery, firestarting, etc.) and talk to the public about history. They're even willing to set us up with some prime real estate for the encampment. I will be going in and speaking with her about what we'd like in the next couple of days, but it should be a great event to get some good publicity and talk with the public.
Life, busy as ever, but I am starting to get a better handle on things, I hope. Lots of important choices right now, but I think everything is moving in a roughly positive direction, as difficult as some of the sacrifices have been, they happen for a reason.
So, that's my update for now, will have more later.
I have certainly had an interesting couple of weeks.
Having realized how badly I need to find friends who take me outside my comfort zone and expand my little world, I have started to reach out through several avenues in an attempt to do so. With amazingly limited success. However, the one high point in said search is a wonderful woman named Emily who has been really instrumental in helping me through a tough week. I contacted her, since she was looking for hiking/backpacking friends, and we hit it off fairly well from the beginning. I got to go hiking with her this past weekend, and had a wonderful time. More on that later.
Business wise, things have been going relatively well, aside from the fact that a hinge making factory can't grind a straight edge on a hinge. Seriously, people? Seriously? I am going to start a separate blog for my woodworking, which will be up fairly soon, so stay tuned if you'd like to hear about the more practical (boring) and detailed (more boring) side of what I do. And occasionally see pretty pictures when I finish something that doesn't look like an angry beaver had a seizure with a piece of wood in its mouth.
I destroyed my foot hiking yesterday. Did a 10 mile trip with my friend Stacy and didn't listen to my body when I got a hot-spot on the inside of one of pinkie toe on my right foot. It is now a raw, red mess. And I think I have about 40 mosquito bites. But it was absolutely worth it. I got some amazing pictures of the wildflowers along the way, and chopped off another 5.2 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, which, I have decided, I am going to hike piecemeal, in its entirety, over the next few years. 2000+ miles in total. I think I need to get new hiking boots soon...
And after starting to make a post of truly epic proportions, I am going to break this apart into two posts, one for the review of the trail, and this general post that I am going to do now. The other one will have pictures. I promise. If you ask nicely. And I'm not too lazy.
Anyway, I am going to be going down to the Bay Area for salsa tonight with a good friend of mine, I am very much looking forward to that, I just hope I get all my work done before then.
I apologize that this post is bouncing around alot, I just got off the phone with a woman who works for the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Apparently I am becoming something of a local celebrity, because she heard I do Mountain Man programs, and tracked down my phone number from Coloma Resort, where I do some of my programs. I had no idea I was so popular... They are doing a sportsman expo Sept. 30th-Oct. 2nd, and want us to do a Mountain Man encampment: throw tomahawks, demonstrate primitive skills (archery, firestarting, etc.) and talk to the public about history. They're even willing to set us up with some prime real estate for the encampment. I will be going in and speaking with her about what we'd like in the next couple of days, but it should be a great event to get some good publicity and talk with the public.
Life, busy as ever, but I am starting to get a better handle on things, I hope. Lots of important choices right now, but I think everything is moving in a roughly positive direction, as difficult as some of the sacrifices have been, they happen for a reason.
So, that's my update for now, will have more later.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Contrary to popular belief, I am still alive...
even if this blog has been silent for a while...
new post coming soon, stay tuned.
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