What To Do Next?

[barbsiddiqui]

Hoping to get some input from all our diverse participants:
I'm curious as to how you decide what's next on your 'projects' agenda? Do you have long lists of things waiting to be done, or are your projects mostly 'of necessity' and done as they come up? Gifts? Commissions? Preparations for shows? Seasonally? Do you ever find yourself stymied and unable to come up with project ideas? What are your best sources?
I'm going on vacation for aweek, to CA to see grandbabies, so I hope there's a long list of ideas when I get home.
Have a good week, all. I'll check in later. -Barb S.

[lynn]

I usually have a long list. I figure it's always someone's birthday and Christmas never seems far away. Of course, paying customers come first. As far as inspiration, when I'm at a loss, I usually go for a walk. I try to pick out shapes in nature and then figure how they will fit into a piece. Even if it's just a glimmer of an idea, I write it down. Then I go back to that list, when I have a moment and expand on it. Something usually pops up. Or I think about the person I'm making the item for. Figure out what type of item would interest them, or if they know the item, what different flair comes to mind when I think of them. That usually works for me.
lynn

"hope springs eternal"

[leonard]

normaly my projects just come from thin air, however starting next month the toy projects will have a purpose. I have decided to start building toys for toys-for-tots this year. So for at least 8 hours each week I will be building progects for children. I have decided to build some 3' christmas trees as well to be donated. It's all being done to give those less fortunate then I a chance to have something nice.
Leonard

[handi]

Barb,

For me it depends. At times my projects are based on what current remodel the house is undergoing. At other times, I just have an idea and want to try it out. Also, I'm constantly thinking of new ideas that I can present as articles for publication.

For about two years I wrote a monthly column on simple adaptations that could be done around the home for the disabled. At first, project ideas were easy, I just drew on things I had done for folks. After a while, coming up with fresh ideas each month was NOT easy :)

I write down all project ideas as they come to me, kind of an ongoing one person brainstorming session. When I need a new project or article, I can go back to these notes and sift through for workable ideas.

A long answer to a short question,

Ralph

[Weez]

So I don't not lack list of projects. I have the items that pepople would like me to build, the list of things the house needs, and then the things "I" want to build. Most of the time the I falls to the bottom of the list. I enjoy sketching, not the best but doodling, this is where alot of my projects come from. I have a whole little book full of things I want to try. Most of time they stem from something some ones needs or wishes they had. For now the list of projects will last about another 5 years.
Weez

[woodworm]

Hi Barb,
I always find myself in a stymie with what I want to do and what I must do.
After last Christmas I found myself looking to the future and started on making next years Christmas items. I turned several bowls and dishes. Got a few done and then used them for Birthday gifts instead of next Christmas gifts. Oh, well,all gone, start over again.
I was in the middle of reconstructing and restoring an antique round table with a pie-crust edge moulding for someone when the need arised to find more CD storage space in my own house. So,I now have two end tables, almost completed, and a round table waiting for the piece of edge moulding.
Will finish them and then resume the Christmas gifts that I started out making in Jan.01, hopefully they'll be finished by Christmas.
As far as motivation. My younger sister was in need of a cradle for her expected infant and I built it in two months ( weekends and nights). Delivered it to her with two weeks to spare for the birth.My daughter-in-law was expecting and it took me 6 months to build the same cradle.Plenty of time to spare for completion.
I think the motivation here was.==meet the deadline.
I do not have a problem with "what to do next" There are lingering projects everywhere. The multitasking is here and alive and keeps the machines going.
My downfall?-when someone says, "Can you help me with this?" I fail at saying "No".The woodworker in me cannnot turn away a challenge.
Only wish I had more time to play in my shop; but I am a professional medical worker and kept busy full time.
Hope this helps your project.
Ginny

[D for Dusty]

Good morning Barb..End of school and graduations and weddings and all the typical "before summer starts" has ended..Now summer is here and the whirlwind is calming down (within me) and im ready to play with some wood. My brother (who was one of three of the graduates this June) is big into woodworking..He loves the fact that I got started with it also. As a matter of fact he is my living mentor, whereas my grandfather (now deceased)was my original mentor which is the one that instilled the love of woodworking in me.. My bro does seasonal craft tables around the area every year. I mentioned making some small items for his table and he couldnt be happier..He makes on a larger scale and finds the fillers more time consuming between making enough of them and also doing the detailed work when needed (painting, sanding etc). I have snapped a picture of one of the items I will attempt to make. I bought this at the annual holiday craft/bake sale at my sons highschool. The guy was selling them like hotcakes.
I was drinking my coffee this morning, relaxing reading the paper and came across a large article about Mission Furniture and how its making a huge comeback. My mission come September, when my classes resume, is to make a Mission Style double bed. My instuctor has much more confidence in me than I do in myself, but will attempt it. The lady I chum with in class is continuing her classes this summer and also making the mission bed. Anxious to see the outcome of hers!!!

[D for Dusty]

Here is the picture of the mission bed I will be making. Its out of Better Homes and Gardens "Furniture Projects"...

[Sarah]

Hi Barb,
I find that I always end up dreaming up ideas and how to implement them when I am out walking or running. Sometimes I am asked to build something and I need to let it ferment for even months before I am satisfied with the design and how I want to go about it. I will keep thinking about it and trying out different things in my head, until one day it comes to me and I know the idea is ready.

I do enjoy looking at photos of other people's work and defining what I do or do not like. I really miss the Home Furniture magazine. I wish something similar would start up again.

Enjoy your dreaming!

-Sarah