Hi , I think we can all agree that this is a weird summer. Most of our traditional summertime activities and events have been canceled or dramatically altered, including our summer vacations. But just because we might not be traveling anywhere, doesn’t mean we can’t have a great time in our own backyards!
Thankfully, we’re woodworkers! We have the tools and materials to focus our summertime energy on being productive. Now is the perfect time to build that pair of Adirondack chairs your wife’s been wanting for the deck. Maybe you can surprise your husband with a custom wood beverage cooler that doubles as a patio bench. Better yet, maybe you can build a backyard game together.
And really, isn’t that the whole idea of a vacation...to spend time with family and reconnect with each other? To do something a little different? Traveling is just one strategy to help bring us closer together. The real magic is when we begin to understand that vacations aren’t about vacating a geographical area, but rather taking a break from our routines.
If you are feeling a little stir crazy this summer, take a vacation right where you are. If you can take time off from work, do it, but don’t just idly sit around. There are all kinds of simple woodworking projects that can involve the family, either directly, by helping to build, or indirectly, by making something you can all use together.
Or maybe you often find yourself saying, “I wish I could spend more time in my shop. I never seem to get anything done.” Well now’s your chance.
Schedule yourself a shopcation.
And I’m not talking about periodic puttering around in the shop during your week off, but deciding on actual goals you want to accomplish. Focusing on a challenging project and seeing it to completion over the course of a week can be one of the most satisfying ways to reconnect with what you love and to take a break from your routine.
If you don’t already have a shop space or you’ve been “meaning to straighten up that garage disaster once and for all so I can set up a shop area”, now is the perfect opportunity. If the thought of tackling that mess in a week seems overwhelming, might I suggest signing up for The Weekend Workshop? This course is filled with effective, step-by-step strategies to help you design and build a fully functioning workshop in any small space, even one that you have to share with a car.
Too hot to work on building anything? Dedicate this time to learning. One of the best things you can do to take your woodworking to the next level is to learn how to design your own projects. If you’ve been interested in learning Sketchup, I’ve got a free tutorialthat will get you started with the basics.
No matter how you choose to spend your summer, I hope you can carve out some time for a shopcation. (Yeah, I know, it’s a clunky word that isn’t nearly as clever as I thought it was at first.) Dedicating some time to being productive can work wonders for your well-being. Plus, think of all the money you’re saving by not traveling this year. I mean, that kind of cash could buy you a new table saw or something. Just sayin’.
Have a great month,
- Steve
HEAT WAVE
Thank you to all who participated in the first-ever Woodworking Summer Jam! The idea was to build a project in 3 days related to the theme “Heat Wave”. There were a ton of great entries and I’m looking forward to doing more of these online exhibitions. I’ll let you know in a future newsletter when we do the next one! In the meantime, take a look at all the HEAT WAVE entries here. I’ll be showcasing some of my favorites on my YouTube show over the next couple of weeks.
I loved this project entry from Larry! Such a fun interpretation of the theme Heat Wave. And major bonus points for including a WWMM sticker in the photo.
MEME OF THE MONTH
SHOP GOALS
I’m always intrigued by how much organization is possible in a small space. I think I can count 7 Weekend Workshop projects in Jeremy Cook’s shop! And yeah...the Home Hardware Store is impressive. Everyone who has made all those drawers agrees that it was an enlightening experience of self-discovery. Congratulations Jeremy. You have unlocked the next level of woodworking Zen. 😂
PODCAST HIGHLIGHT
On the podcast, Movie Crush with Chuck Byrant, Chuck and his guest Justin McElroy talk about their love of woodworking. Justin explains that making something with his hands and then seeing the completed project is like his own personal “high”, which I am sure we all can relate to. The Weekend Woodworker course also gets a shoutout, as Justin enrolled to hone his skills as a woodworker. Be sure to give it a listen, they start talking about woodworking at minute 10:40.
What course members have built this month
Looking for Shopcation project ideas? Check out these awesome outdoor projects from members of The Weekend Woodworker!
Harmony Benches
Peter’s beautiful benches gathered around the fire is perfect for a relaxing evening with family and friends. All that’s left is to get some marshmallows for roasting!
Standing Planter
If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids, why not build something out of wood like Scott did with his 10-year-old? It’s a great way to connect, learn and get away from the screen!
Outdoor Dining Table
With the skills he learned from the Weekend Woodworker course, Beau was able to build this absolutely stunning outdoor dining table. Perfect for those sun-kissed evenings made for Alfresco Dining.
Thanks for reading, be well.
- Steve
P.S. If you are new this month, you can read last month’s issue of Notes From the Shop here.
