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Welcome to the October 2008 issue of the LumberJocks eMag:
From The Editor
What an exciting month this has been for LumberJocks.com as we watched the projects climb to the big total of 10,000!!! That is a lot of woodworking projects celebrated under one roof (the LumberJocks' shop).
As I contemplated how far this site has come since its beginnings, I had to go back to October, 2007 to see what the statistics were back then. So, just one year ago we had 1,684 woodworkers and 2,808 projects. As you can see in our Stats report we are now 5,676 members and, now, over 10,000 projects. That is a BIG growth jump. it's really quite hard to believe how fast the site has grown.
Of course, having said that it is hard to believe, I remember what wonderful people are part of this community and the fantastic format that Martin has created for the site, making our lives here enjoyable and stress-free. With these two thoughts in mind, it is no wonder at all that the site is such a success.
I look forward to all that the next few months bring as we head towards 2009. What lies ahead? I do not know but I'm sure that we will have a lot of fun along the way.
~Debbie
LJ Awards & Challenges
Winter Awards, 2009
Twice a year LumberJocks.com hosts its Woodworking Awards event. These are highly anticipated events, not only for participation but also to be inspired by the entries.
How do the Awards work?
LumberJocks are given one month to submit something that fits into one of two categories presented. The honour of "best woodworker" for each of the categories is then selected by our members through an online voting system.
This year, we're going to try something new. For many of us, one month is just not enough time to build something with the level of craftsmanship we want to put into our work. And so, we present the categories for the LumberJocks' Winter 2009 Woodworking Awards now!
(Note: Prizes have not yet been finalized.)
1. A Knot Like No Other
It's creativity time! Don't let that big old knot get you down; incorporate it into a project, highlighting it's beauty or uniqueness. You can knock out the wood (if there is some) and use just the hole or keep the wood intact and include it in your design. It's time to get knotty with your woodworking. Be sure to describe how the knot inspired you.
2. A Secret Compartment
Sshhh!! It will be just our little secret -- where have you hidden that special storage compartment in your woodworking project? Whether you are building a box, a chair, or any other creation use your design and woodworking skills to add a secret compartment that no one will find unless they know it is there! This project is all about the "secret".
Other LJ Events
Centralized Account System
Martin has been at it again and we now have a new "centralized account system" that allows members easy access to all three sites (LumberJocks, GardenTenders, HomeRefurbers). Along with this single log-in will come a lot of new features! The site just keeps getting better and better.
For more information on the centralized system, visit Martin's blog here.
MILESTONE: 10,000 projects!
It is hard to believe but we have surpassed the 10,000 projects mark, making us "the biggest online woodworking gallery". What an exciting time for LumberJocks.com. Congratulations to all our members and to Martin for this huge success. Martin, did you envision this when you started working on this site, three years ago?
In celebration of this monumental event and as a special thank you, Martin awarded the members who have posted the most projects thus far with $50 gift certificates. The excited and grateful members are:
Check out Martin's posting, about this milestone, here.
Last minute News Flash!
The challenge is on - post your celebratory happy dance and join the ever-growing list of LumberJocks with nerves of steel and twinkle toes for dancing feet:
Pen Turners' Swap
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... and the saga continues! Check out the entire series if you haven't done so already.
Plans for "Round 3" are also being developed. Here is an overview of how the PTS (that's Pen Turners' Swap) works. Check it out and join the fun!
Just look at what might be arriving at your door if you participate! --> --> --> --> --> --> --> -->
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Sister Sites
HomeRefurbers.com
HomeRefurbers is all about "building, renovating, and improving".
This site began just this year and has over 200 members already! Congratulations.
GardenTenders.com
GardenTenders is almost a year old and has reached a membership of over 300 gardeners!!! How exciting. AND, as of October, 2008 the site will also feature its own newsletter. Congratulations to Martin and to the site manager, Michal Bulla, for the huge success!
LumberJocks.com
LumberJocks.com is the first of the three sites to be developed by Martin and has recently reached the 5,500 membership mark AND 10,000 projects! Quite the achievements. We look forward to what the future will bring to this #1 woodworking community.
Focus on... Projects
| Just this past week we celebrated having 10,000 projects posted on our LumberJocks site. For our "Focus" in this eMag I thought it would be fitting to take a look at the projects that has made us the Biggest Online Woodworking Gallery.
Over the past two and a half years, we have been inspired by furniture, pens, bowls, houses, sculptures, boxes, and, yes, even fairy doors! The projects have been laminated,
veneered, wood-burned, carved, and turned, as well as created using a number of other woodworking strategies.
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| We have seen the very first projects created by our members, whether they are new to the woodworking world or have practicing their skills for many years and we have followed the progress of the members as they have tried new skills and new tools. |
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The projects posted have been appreciated, critiqued, and used as inspirations for other projects.
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With 841 pages of projects to look at, we are grateful for the Shuffle Button (located in the top tool bar). Without it some people may never have the privilege of seeing the first project listed on the site or this longboard that came up when I hit the Shuffle button.
The enjoyment is endless and with 10,000 projects to view, one could sit here for days and not get to them all! I hope that no one tries that at one sitting, because there are so many projects waiting to be made before we hit the next big milestone of 15,000 projects before this time next year. I do, however, hope that you take the time to check out the many projects posted here. Leave a comment and take the inspiration back into your own shop for a future project.
Once again, congratulations and thank you to everyone who has made this woodworking community the best of the best!
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Where In The World Is MsDebbieP?
Where in the world is MsDebbieP?
Well, she hasn't been doing any shop inspections lately but there was a rumour circulating that she was into dancing now! This has not been verified but imaginations are running wild!
In a quick interview with MsDebbieP, she said that although she does enjoy dancing, she would love to do another shop inspection. If you are interested in volunteering for this (painless) event, contact the Tour Manager, Douglas Bordner.
Tutorials & Other "How To's"
Tips and tricks, how-to's, and step-by-steps: they are all here in the LJ Workshop!
We blogged it:
It's Very STAT-isfying!
Look at us!
We are 5,676 woodworkers
making 280,849 comments on
10,097 projects, 5,895 blogs,
4 56 reviews and 4,758 forum topics.
Milestones
5,500 Members - September 15, 2008
10,000 Projects - September 26, 2008
Centralized Account System Initiated - September 28, 2008
Promoting LumberJocks.com
Why Promote?
- more activity means more advertising potential
- more advertising = site maintenance fees covered
- more advertising = more "perks" and services for the members
How To Help
- word of mouth: talk about the site with woodworkers and woodworking companies' managers/employees
- distribute press releases, flyers, etc as they are provided, for special events
- place a link to LJ.com on your personal websites/blogs
- use your LJ profile as part of your business website
- use the badges and widgets provided, on your sites
- let potential advertisers know about our advertising information
- make a personal donation to the site
- purchase items through the LJ Store
- and of course, don't forget to wear your LJ t-shirt or LJ Hat!
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