Class is Out

I will have to say it was a great first attempt.  I learned a lot about interests and expectations of the students.  One of the biggest things I came away with was that not everyone needs or wants to know the details that I have learned.  I wanted to teach them the little things that I have learned that really has no bearing on what they are doing.  These topics included wood milling, defects, purchasing and cuts.  Really they want to make saw dust.  It was evident when they would “practice” on scrap pieces. 

I made detailed power points presentations to present information.  I learned quickly that this was boring and not very interactive.  I acted on this information a little later and stopped doing them.  They became more lesson plans than what was used to teach.  I think the lessons went better after I made that change.  I will still need to have the initial lessons on power point because of the amount of information the remaining will be in a shop environment.

Timing was also something that may or may not have been improved upon.  I could not have changed the day of the week, even though I knew it was not the best day of the week.  It was the only day of the week that worked for my family.  I need a second adult at the house for two reasons.  First, I have kids that will be all over the place and second, for safety.  Next year I will probably change the start time to August and end around Thanksgiving.  The holidays just got too crazy and I did not have as many open lab days because of soccer and craft fairs.

The projects were applicable and at an appropriate skill level.  We did not get to the step stool or the rubber band car.  Part of it was learning the timing of the class and the other part was the holidays.   I really liked how the car launchers came out.  We are still working on the toys.  Everyone got into the scroll saw and the puzzles.

I have a feeling the class size is a little large for the equipment and size of garage I have.  I think a class size of five would be better.  I am comfortable with the age group I had: fifth grade and up.  My second grade son was part of the class and did really well.  The problem came in with fractions and problem solving.  He actually made all the projects himself. 

I did assign some homework and I did get some returned.  I really did not require it so I understand why it was not taken seriously.  I did get some good feedback.  I probably should put a little more emphasis on it and track it.

Goals for 2019

Tools:  I am looking at a couple of tools to purchase next year.  The first is a shop vac.  I really need to do some sort of dust collection.  I am also looking at a dust deputy to take care of a lot of the large shavings.  I am also looking at a jig saw.  I might just borrow one. I only need it for one project at this time. 

Projects:  I have two refurbish projects that I need to complete.  The first is a bench that goes to my son’s classroom.  It is something that was found on the side of the road.  It had been chewed up by a dog so the rough parts need to be sanded or replaced.  I will probably also refinish it.  I am excited about it because it is a nice piece made from solid oak.  The second is the toy wood oven I made a few years back.  I need to get it fixed up and donated. It was a fun project but it does not fit in the house anymore.

I also have the jewelry boxes that I have not finished yet.  This is one of those projects that is a goal this year to finish last year’s goals that I didn’t start the year before.  I have the tools and parts all cut out.  I have one more top to make and the groove the boxes.  I also have a couple of gifts for family that I need to make.  Not mentioned here because they are gifts.  On the last year’s goal list, I also need to make some camping boxes.

I have designed the next set of small vehicles. These are not as cost and labor focused than the other set but I am excited to make them.  They do require different thickness of wood.  I could not get around that.  I plan on making them in different colored wood this time to see if they sell better.

I would also like to do another class, possibly two, if people are interested.  I have not gotten any responses for the spring semester.  The goal is to take the class to the home school group.  I do have contacts; however there are things like insurance that I do need to check on.

Donations:  Since the toy drive is a big part of why I design and make toys I figured I would mention what I plant to make this year.  I am going to make another five sets of the small vehicles that I made last year.  I will also make five sets of this year’s small vehicles.  There are eleven different vehicles in this set.  I also plan on making five cradles and five rocking chairs.  This is a pretty big undertaking for this year.

Year in Review

This year was a fun year and a good year even though it started off rough.  First my scroll saw went down and getting another was problematic.  Shipping destroyed it.  The good thing is I now have two because I was able to repair my old one.  Then my drill press broke. I was not able to fix that because it was so old the model was no longer supported.  I needed to purchase another one.  Then my belt sander died.  I replaced it with a larger 6” wide belt.  This was truly an upgrade to the one I had.  That was the beginning of the year.  That was the rough start, but things turned around quickly.

I mentioned two of the tools that I purchased this year.  The only other tools were for the wood working class.  However, my son did win the Masters of Wood competition from Triton tools.  Those tools arrived in March.  I need to use the router and table more, I like it so far.  The saw is ok.  The only issue with the set is there is no real way to store the tools.  They just hang out where ever they are placed.  I designed and built a rack but it is not something I would load in the car and take to a job site.

Projects were smaller this year but more in number.  I started the building and grow series which was not economically feasible: too much time and too much precision.  So it developed into the small vehicle package.  There were 10 cars and 1 train.  The company that I work for is very focused on cost with an emphasis on standard parts and cost.  This “product line” was a result of those philosophies.  I was very focused on common rip components and parts.  I knew my profit margin and it was decent for a woodworker.  Alas, they did not sell as well as I hoped and I still gave half to charitable organizations.  That is what I do.  I made 20 of each vehicle.  It did take time but less than 6 months for 220 toys, is pretty good considering I work mostly on Saturdays.

I did a ton of puzzles, both in a board and free standing.  They also did not sell either.  I have a pretty good reason for it also.  They were too simple and too plain.  Live and learn on that one.  They are good practice.

My other project that I have been doing is the wood working class.  My first class is either ending or has ended (depending on when I publish this).  I think it went well.  We will see how the final projects turn out.  I over scheduled time at the beginning and under scheduled time for the final projects.  I have had several positive comments so I am happy.  There will be more information from future posts.  I do want to keep teaching this class.

From a business stand point I have been flat.  I did not do as well at the craft fairs as I had planned.  My plan sales were about the same.  I tried to get more plans in plan catalogs and failed.  Not sure why.  I am getting more views and hits on my etsy account.  It has generated more income than last year.  In fact, I think my online presence is growing.  More people are emailing me about the projects that have done from the plans that they have purchased from me.  I have had a couple people contact me because of my website for club information.

The other big news is that I have been in contact with a publisher.  Two of my designs are in their possession.  They are please with them, or they say they are.  I don’t know if they are going to publish them.  Time will tell and this would be another big step in promoting my plans.

Classes

The woodworking class is coming to an end at the end of the month.   I have not been as good as I had hoped in taking pictures.  Now that they have all the power tools they are going to learn at their disposal, the projects are going a lot quicker.  They also seem more engaged in the class.  I have changed up the format a little with less from a power point to more in the shop.  This seems to be working better.  They are now all working on the small toy cars. 

I would like to do again, but I will need another group of students. 

Craft Fairs

December 1^st marked the last craft fair that we did this year.  We only did two and they were both at Piecemakers.  The venue was a lot better than the ones we did last year.  There was more people and more people willing to purchase handmade items.  The first fair we were rained on and it was not a fun day but it was tolerable.

The one this past weekend was packed and we had a line in our booth.  It was for jewelry and stained glass but we had a lot of people through our booth.  I did well throughout the day and I am not complaining.  I am extremely happy for the two ladies I share a booth with.   Each show has had different people and sales have been different.  I am learning more with each one.

The key things that I learned this time around: 

I was happy that most of my items were under $15.  There was a lot of interest but not a lot of sales on the small vehicles.  There was more interest on the scrap cars because they had different colors.  The small vehicles were all poplar.  I need to add some color to them.  I still will not paint them but I will probably start looking into oak and cherry to add color.  There is value in the decorations.  I need to replenish and look at some ornaments and plaques to do.  We will see what next year brings.

The Toy Drive

On November 20^th, the Inland Empire Scroll Saw Association had their annual toy drive.  This year we were able to donate the most toys we have ever done.  There were over 2400 handmade wooden toys made.  I was able to donate 190 toys this year. 

These toys are distributed to lower income areas in Fontana and several local churches.  These groups are allowed to pick and choose toys that will benefit children in their areas.  It is a great event each year to see and participate in. 

We have a few people to thank this year.  Fontana Veterans Association and Fontana Foundation of Hope for donating money to the toy drive.  This money is 100% used on the purchase of toy wheels.  We used almost 10,000 wheels this year.  RSI holdings also donated 1,000 board feet of lumber to make toys.  It did take us a while go through the wood.

The pictures are mainly what I was able to donate with some overall pictures of the room.  It was impressive to see all the toys made.