This was a tough year for woodworking. I did not have a lot of time to do the things I wanted to do. It started with the train. It was a project that I wanted not to do but wanted to do for the challenge. It was a project that I burned out on and it put me behind most of the year. Right after I finished the train and shipped it off, I needed to work on the toys for the church build. I enjoy doing these because they challenge me to make toys that kids can put together. This year it was the Model T, Skid Loader, Cement Truck, and large Tow truck. I made 20 of each this year so local kids would be able to make some. After that was done, I needed to design and make the tractor for the scroll saw magazine. Then I needed to make the toys I work with the youth at my church to donate. After that. it was full steam ahead on the book which is where I am now. It has been a very busy year.
Least favorite project this year was the train. Not because it was bad, I just burned out. There is a difference between the first three cars and the last seven in detail. It was also a lot of painting. I think this is what I am most burned out on. I don't think I will paint toys for a while. I like the challenge and bending balsa wood was interesting. It came from failed attempts to bend 1/16" maple. The customer liked it and that is want is important. It went to Italy so the cost to ship was more than the price to the toy. It is my longest toy yet. It was almost 12 feet long. Lots of mistakes and figuring out moving parts. The second (I always make two of my designs to donate one) went to the Laurel House. They put it in their charitable craft fair and sold it for more than I sold the original for.
Favorite project was the tractor. It was a fun build and design. I struggled with the harrow design but in the end it worked out. I made ten of them. Some were donated and others sold. For future reference, all tractors need to be red, green, or natural. Nobody like the teal and yellow or the light and dark purple ones.
I purchased two new tools this year. the first was another palm sander. My old DeWalt is falling apart. it is another DeWalt. I thought about a Festool, but I don't want to buy all the collection system stuff with it. Festool is expensive and then it is all the addons. I also purchased dust collection adapters for my sander and router table. These are part of the Rockler Dust Right System. It helps keep things cleaner. They work. The other item I purchased was a subscription to the maker version of SolidWorks. This was for the book. I needed something a little more user friendly than AutoDesk Fusion (free version). I have used SolidWorks in the past and like it. It is a little different since I have to set up all my preferences and templates. Work provided the templates when I used it last.
Business this year was really good. Esty and magazine articles were pretty steady from last year. I have received an advance for the book writing. I also did a craft fair this year to sell off some of my inventory I brought from California. I almost sold out. It was a tough two days. I will probably not do another craft fair for a while. Honestly, I hate dealing with state and local sales tax.
Next year, I am taking a step back. I need to focus on some project around the house that should have been done this year. I don't think I am going to take on any more commission jobs except for the ones that I already know about. I also am not going to paint toys this year. It will be all natural wood tones. It will be nice to have the book completed. It is scheduled to be released in fall 2024. I am looking forward to meeting the publisher again this year.
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