Archive for November, 2009
In addition to all the woodworking tools and machinery that a woodworker needs, there are any number of woodworking supplies that must be kept on hand for woodworking projects. It is truly frustrating to be in the middle of a project and have to run to town for an item.
It goes without saying that finding the wood for your project is the number one priority on your list (assuming, of course, that you already have your plans and know what size boards to get.) What type wood you use is simply a matter of choice, whether it be oak, pine, walnut, butternut, ash, etc. ( I once had a neighbor who made a number of items from an apple tree. While the wood was beautiful, he said that it was very hard to work with. Perhaps you’ve made a similar item from a favorite tree of yours.)
Once you’ve assembled your wood, you’ll need wood glue, a vise, clamps of various styles and sizes, a square, router bits, drill bits, ruler, yardstick or measuring tape, screws, nuts and bolts, and a pencil or marker of some sort. (Hopefully I haven’t omitted anything.*) Add to this list a tool box or a set of drawers to keep all of your supplies, and you’re good to go!
*And a coffee pot?!?
Origami is just another word for the art of paper folding in such a way as to represent an object. Origami paper can be any paper that will hold a crease or a fold, although some papers are preferred over others. Origami paper is sold in squares varying in size. It is generally white on one side and colored on the other (sometimes patterned).
Washi paper, made from fibers of the bark of the gampi tree, is stronger than ordinary paper made from wood pulp. This paper is available on the commercial market, but is expensive. Foil-backed paper, a sheet of thin foil glued to a sheet of thin paper, is sometimes used in origami. The foil paper is available in a multitude of colors. Likewise, one can make tissue foil by gluing a piece of aluminum foil to the front and back sides of a piece of tissue paper.
Kami appears to be the most popular paper for origami. It is the easiest to find and the cheapest to buy (other than plain white copy paper.) As a rule, it is printed on one side only with a solid color or pattern. Also, as we’ve mentioned before, paper money is a popular medium for origami.
As with any other crafting project we begin, the aspiring woodworker needs certain woodworking tools to accomplish his task and make a beautiful finished piece. No one (hopefully) starts a project without first researching the basic tools and equipment to finish it properly and more easily.
A few of the basic tools needed in a woodworker’s workshop would include a variety of power saws, each of which serves a different purpose. These would include a table saw, a miter saw, a scroll saw, a jig saw – to name a few. Another handy tool is a router. Planers and sanders are very necessary. And let’s not forget the small hand tools, such as hammers, screwdrivers, drills, chisels, jigs, planes, and hand saws. Of course, a woodworking lathe is a great asset to a woodworker.
I’m quite sure an avid woodworker would find many, many more woodworking tools to add to his/her workshop. (How about one of those large all-in-one pieces of machinery for working with wood?)
There are any number of kid’s crafts that will keep your children busy, yet entertained. When considering projects, it is important to be sure that these projects are safe for them. Kids left alone just do not realize the danger of doing certain things. While we know we cannot watch youngsters all of the time, and we know that kids will experiment, we must do our best to teach them safety.
Just recently, two youngsters decided to mix vinegar and baking soda. (If you’ve ever used this combination to clear your drains, you know what happens.) I do not know what they were attempting to create, but as I understand it, the two kids put the vinegar and baking soda in a large container and nothing happened. They then decided to put the two products in a smaller bottle and shake it. This caused the bottle to explode, causing damage to the face of the one boy – a lesson learned the hard way.
If you are much of a woodworker, you probably tend to finish the woodworking projects you’ve started. At least, that would be your intention.
My husband is not much of a woodworker – he’s more of a ‘woodworker-wanna-be.’ (He spends much of his time working on car and truck engines, but that’s another story.) However, one year early in our married life (years ago), he decided that he was going to build me a sewing cabinet for a gift. He had the plans, and got these gorgeous walnut boards, which he sanded to a beautiful, smooth finish – - – and the project ended there, despite his good intentions. ( Hopefully, your wood projects do not end like that.)
Oh well! We still have the walnut boards; maybe he’ll make me something yet!
Painting on glass ornaments is a fun craft to do, especially at Christmas time. Being crafters, we’ve all visited a craft store and have seen all the plain frosted and clear glass ornaments, just waiting for us to add our personal touch. Just look around, and you’ll find all sorts of painting ideas to inspire you.
Paint a few every year and add them to your tree. Write the date somewhere on the ornament, and someday you’ll have fun recalling the time you had painting them.
I used acrylic paints when painting mine, but will have to admit that I cheated a bit. I found these neat fine point markers that will write on any surface, and used them for some of the fine detail work.
When it comes to craft ideas, many things come to mind. Nearly any creative project we undertake can fall into the crafting category.
While many people seem to be more crafty and imaginative than others, would you agree that possibly everyone has an innate ability to be creative to a certain extent? This ability seems to surface when we are presented with a project that really draws our interest.
Regardless of where our interests lie, our craft ideas, when encouraged, very likely will result in some amazing projects. What ideas do you have?
The best way to get started in origami is by following some easy origami diagrams. Once those folds and creases are learned, that is the time to move on to more advanced ones.
As a child, many of us learned to fold a sheet of paper into a pinwheel or perhaps a box, an envelope, a hat, a boat, or an airplane. (Remember writing a note on a piece of paper, folding it into an airplane, and sending it flying across the school classroom?) These were all simple items to make. By mastering the techniques we used for these projects, we are then in a position to learn new folds and methods and move on to more complicated designs.
Making candy bouquets and giving them as gifts in lieu of floral arrangements (or in fact, in place of any gift) has become quite popular, both with the giver and the receiver. They are so much fun to make, and who does not love to receive a beautiful, edible present?
Candy bouquet arrangements are the perfect gifts for nearly any occasion. Almost all kids and adults alike love candy so your candy bouquet is sure to be a big hit!
The only drawback that I can see is that when you eat the candy you destroy the beautiful arrangement.
Origami is an interesting craft. I’ve often watched someone take a plain, ordinary piece of paper, crease and fold it back and forth and eventually manipulate it into an art form. How fascinating!
Those of you who have mastered this craft know that you must follow a few origami folding instructions. There are several basic folds and techniques to learn. Once these are learned, the process should become much easier.