Nov 282009
 

A woodworking hobby can benefit not only yourself but many others around you as well. Take the example of Brian Peppel, husband of freelance writer Sarah Peppel, who used a beginning in easy woodworking as a springboard to more advanced projects which he shares with family and others. Like Brian Peppel, you can use your woodworking skills [...]

Nov 272009
 

“There is a kind of beauty in imperfection.” This quote from cinematographer Conrad Hall can apply to easy woodworking. As with anything else, you will rarely find perfection in wood. Some common wood defects that you should be aware of and know how to work around are mold-damaged wood, bows in the wood, splits or cracks, [...]

Nov 202009
 

“The medium is the message.” These are the famous words of scholar Marshall McLuhan in reference to communication, but the same maxim holds true for any artform like woodworking. The type of wood that is used has a major effect on the look, feel, and durability of the finished piece. When considering wood for woodworking projects, [...]

Nov 072009
 

At 10.2%, the unemployment rate is now the worst it has been since 1983. But one positive thing the bad economy has done is to push people to craft their own gifts rather than buy them. Benefits of turning to crafts such as easy woodworking to make holiday gifts are the low cost, the special [...]

Oct 112009
 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate in September 2009 was 9.8%. With that many people unemployed, it’s no wonder that more Americans and others around the world are turning to do-it-yourself projects in the home to save money. However, as pointed out by an article on courier-journal.com, this increase in [...]

Aug 092009
 

The hardest part of doing many things is simply beginning. Approaching the craft of woodworking is no exception, but if you have an idea of how to start, it is easier. An online article by Nash Wendin outlines one plan for beginning woodworking. A good way to begin woodworking is to start with easy woodworking [...]

Jul 302009
 

So you’ve made or purchased a nice piece of wood furniture. Now how do you keep it looking good? There are many different opinions and products out there, but according to Vic Tesolin, editor of the magazine Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement, you have to be careful whom you trust. In caring for your wood [...]

Jul 172009
 

One of the most exciting advances in Web 2.0 is social networking. While sites such as Facebook do include woodworking groups, there are advantages to sites that are designed specifically for creative individuals. A social networking site called The Behance Network offers a forum for artists such as woodworkers to showcase their work, get feedback [...]

Jul 112009
 

“When you see kids selling lemonade by the sidewalk, always buy from them.” That is a piece of wisdom I once read in one of those short books of fatherly advice. I think it is good advice and that kids’ lemonade stands are a great summer tradition. Writer Susan Dunlap of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram [...]

Jul 052009
 

The annual Midsommar Festival – Swedish Days in Geneva, Illinois, is touted as the “’Granddaddy’ of Illinois Festivals.”  It includes a pie-eating contest, pet parade, and kids’ woodworking projects sponsored by Home Depot, the latter of which is highlighted in an online article from TheGenevaSun.com. The Home Depot Kids Workshop held at the Swedish Days [...]