What tips/tricks have you learned this year?

[Fedido]

It seems to be a little slow in the village, so I was wondering what everyone has learned or relearned this year that has really helped you. I guess mine would be upgrading from a 13 inch craftsman saw that was built when I was still in High school to a Dewalt 20 in that was built before this millennium. What a difference it makes! So glad I made that purchase. What is yours? 

[Woodrush]

I went fron a dewalt, which I liked to an Excelsior 21 which I love

[wombatie]

I learnt to make mini bird houses.  Have always loved them but my previous attempts at any 3D work always ended in near tears.  However my first bird house was perfect so now I am hooked.

Marg

[Jim McDonald]

Birdhouses can be addictive--just ask Denny.

[Fedido]

I built 20 birdhouses so some orphans can paint them. Found measurements online and about halfway through, realized a better way to assemble. As long as the kids have fun, that is all that matters. 

[Woodmaster1]

I learned to buy tools without the wife finding out. I also learned don't make the first project so you won't have to make more. I built one farmhouse table for daughter in law which led to a second one for my daughter this will be my final one.( haha ) 

Edited July 8, 2020 by Woodmaster1

[kmmcrafts]

I learned that it takes a pandemic to realize just how important toilet paper really is.. 

I learned that I do enjoy cutting those animal puzzles.. 

I'm hoping to learn that the guts of a original made EX-21 will work in a China made EX-21 soon.

 

[NC Scroller]

10 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I learned that it takes a pandemic to realize just how important toilet paper really is.. 

I learned that I do enjoy cutting those animal puzzles.. 

I'm hoping to learn that the guts of a original made EX-21 will work in a China made EX-21 soon.

 

I learned when you post pictures like this on FB as a joke you better start cutting.  I have orders for 30+

[kmmcrafts]

31 minutes ago, NC Scroller said:

I learned when you post pictures like this on FB as a joke you better start cutting.  I have orders for 30+

That one is been on my list to make.. I seen a laser cut design on etsy back around March.. and I've been wanting to make a pattern to cut them.. I think they'll be a hit as ornaments as a gag gift but also to remember the pandemic of 2020..  Cutting the letters small enough to  fit into an ornament has been my issue with trying to design a pattern.. I like to give my ornaments out in a gift box and the box size is around 5 x 3-3/4 so the ornament with that much text is quite small letters to cut.. I may have to make the roll and change up the wording.. Maybe I just need to set up my laser, LOL.. rather keep scroll stuff on my main website as its predominantly hand made.. am doing another site for CNC / Laser stuff..

Edited July 8, 2020 by kmmcrafts

[crupiea]

Dont beat myself up so much.

I always feel like I have to finish a piece in a certain time but I am the one putting that pressure on myself.  What happens is I will settle because i think its good enough when i know its not. 

No one else sees it but me. 

Now I am redoing stuff, touching up this or that. the tiny things matter because wee, the tiny things matter to me. 

My art has been much better since I learned this

 

[barb.j.enders]

30 minutes ago, crupiea said:

Dont beat myself up so much.

I always feel like I have to finish a piece in a certain time but I am the one putting that pressure on myself.  What happens is I will settle because i think its good enough when i know its not. 

No one else sees it but me. 

Now I am redoing stuff, touching up this or that. the tiny things matter because wee, the tiny things matter to me. 

My art has been much better since I learned this

 

I can so relate to the time issue. I stopped reading any of the blogs for a while because people kept putting in the time it took them to cut a project. I have realized that I cut at the speed and time I cut and it doesn't matter to any one how long it took. I don't sell at markets, so there is no time line.  The only one putting the "time" issue on an item was me.  It is still frustrating seeing someone post something with a time frame and I wonder "HOW THE H3ll" did  they do that in that time????

[Roberta Moreton]

I learned that when you complete a fret work project DO NOT glue it to the backer before you are ready to frame it! BOY did it get dusty. I think I will always have the frame ready before I begin the project from now on.

[NC Scroller]

15 hours ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I learned that when you complete a fret work project DO NOT glue it to the backer before you are ready to frame it! BOY did it get dusty. I think I will always have the frame ready before I begin the project from now on.

Berta I assume you are talking about your owl project.  When I make something like that I never glue the backer on period.  I allow the frame to keep it in place.

[Roberta Moreton]

14 hours ago, NC Scroller said:

Berta I assume you are talking about your owl project.  When I make something like that I never glue the backer on period.  I allow the frame to keep it in place.

Very interesting, I will try that.