My plans for the last year didn't really go as I would have liked. I planned to have a full range of products ready to go. This didn't really happen but I still got a good handful of designs and items sketched up, worked out and finally built. But unfortunately many half finished projects.
This was one of my bad points of last year. Being fully focused on a project then I would have a brainwave of something else that I liked the thought of and I started pursuing that instead. This had me sometimes using timber from something I'd previously made already which then put that build further behind than it was.
ANYWAY!
I am now looking at the positive builds that came out of last year that are going to be part of my range of products being up for sale this year. With more to come.
The best (and admittedly most stressful) project was my 3 Tier Solid Oak Shoe Rack.
This has 40x40mm framework, 3 tier slatted shoe rack, a slatted bottom shoe box to the right hand side with my signature design lift off lid, a dovetailed drawer at the bottom, again with my signature design and slatted bottom and finally all sides paneled.
This build proudly boasts:
A size of 1350mm x 650mm x 400 (L x H x D)
64 mortise and tenon joints,
12 dovetail halving joints,
2 dovetail housing joints,
28 channels cut for the paneling to sit in
Finished in 5x coats of Danish oil and a generous coat of clear paste wax.
I chose to use slatted surfaces for everything for air circulation and didn't use one screw in the whole build.
There were a few stressful moments in this because I kind of made this up as I went along. It started life as an open sided 2 tier rack with a removable storage box at the bottom. I soon thought it is a little bit to normal for my style of work. So I added a drawer instead of a box... Then I added the box on the side... Then I decided I wanted to close off the ends and back with panels... Then I wanted to add my geometric style design to the drawer front and wanted to sink it into the framework as it closed to finish flush... I then added the same design to the lift off lid on the shoe box.
Every time I added something in it messed with something I had already fitted. But I got around it all and finally finished with the above results. It really does stop people as they pass it and they have a good look and play with the drawer.
Next!
My next idea that I stuck with from the design sketch to the end was a set of drinks coasters.
Set Of 4 Solid Oak Interlocking Geometric Drinks Coasters
These were a thought I had originally for an extra gift to include with this coffee table design of mine.
Each of the coasters have their own unique shape meaning they will only fit together one way and once locked together they made one big coaster for plates or bowls etc.
This is basically my take on the puzzle piece.
I soon found out after completing my first set that they are VERY time consuming. All edges are hand finished with a chisel to eliminate any possible large gaps which may occur if using just a bandsaw. Plus these coasters are 19mm thick and the bandsaw really doesn't like it that much!
As the time it takes to make a set of these is very high for what they are I decided to make them as a separate product. These are currently available from both my Etsy and eBay shops for around £20 (excluding postage costs).
These are the best of the bits I finished last year when I found the time in my busy day to day life to work on my own projects. As I work full time with hectic deadlines and silly overtime hours I feel I missed out on many days and hours that I could have been in my own little workshop building the things I have thought up.
I have big plans for this year.
I want to have my furniture in shops!
I'm plan to get my range up together and go and see all my local furniture shops and see if I can get myself a spot in their shops.
I also plan on having more products available in my online shops as well as scheduling in a day or two every week or so for social media updating. Meaning you will hear from me and about my projects more regularly than what I have previously updated. On my Blog, Twitter, Etsy, Facebook and my website!
Here's to the coming year!
