 |
Welcome to the January 2009 issue of the LumberJocks eMag:
From The Editor
January, 2009 Issue #19
Happy New Years, everyone!
Thank you for all the experiences, 2008, and hello 2009 - what do yo have waiting for us?!
It has truly been an exciting year, with the success of our woodworking community, the inspirational projects posted by our fellow Jocks, and by the wealth of tips and endless tidbits of humour sprinkled throughout the site pages. When you pop into the LJ Shop you just never know what you will find or whether you will be filled with awe, shed tears of sadness, or be rolling on the floor with laughter. Just like an ordinary day with family.
You also never know what our Founder, Martin Sojka, will be surprising us with, as he continually works on new ways to respond to members' needs, requests, and the new directions the site seems to take now and again. Our most recent "tweaking" has been the addition of the long-awaited "watchlist", which provides members the opportunity to easily keep tabs on interesting projects and discussions. What a convenient addition this is to our site. Thank you.
I look forward to 2009 and the twists and turns it will bring, especially how LumberJocks.com will grow and the new ways it will make it easy to share our woodworking passion, whether that is with Martin's site development or through the support of our members, such as the lovely welcoming video created by Todd A. Clippinger. (If you missed that one, you can check it out in Martin's blog, here.)
Here's to 2009. Cheers!
~Debbie
LJ Awards & Challenges
Winter Woodworking Awards, 2009
Our third annual Winter Woodworking Awards event is officially open!
If you haven't started building your entries yet, well, the deadline is the end of the month so you know what you have to do: MAKE SAWDUST!
At this special event, where your votes select our Award Winners, we honour our members for their creativity as well as their workmanship. Along with the two categories listed below, our coveted LJ trophy will be presented to the Top Overall Woodworker, the member who receives the most combined points for the event.
Categories
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".
Here are all of the official Awards Rules.
Other LJ Events
Pen-Turners' Swap
in case you have missed it, the Pen-Turner's box is now heading to Canada as it journeys "around the world" on its famous voyage. Check out the latest blog entry by itsme_timd for more information about this special event.
New "Watchlist" Feature
As mentioned above, Martin has responded to the begging and pleading of members by setting up the Watchlist option to help members quickly keep tabs on specific projects and discussions. Read about how this new feature works and how it will save you time in checking important postings. More info here.
LumberJocks' Support Worthy Causes
Once in a while a LumberJock posts something about a worthy cause and asks for support, knowing that each small action can make a big difference.
The following is from a fellow LumberJock:
"My wife has ALS. There is little or no funding for finding a cure. We're trying to get Major League Baseball to designate July 4th, 2009 as National ALS Awareness Day in honor of the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig announcing his retirement. Could you ask your members at LJ to sign this petition".
Local Groups
Every now and again we hear about LumberJocks getting together, either for a one-time meeting, or on a regular basis to discuss their interest in woodworking. It's also nice to be able to talk to "a neighbour" about local events and stores that are in a particular region.
We know that a "group" option is on Martin's To Do list but until it gets up to the top of the list, perhaps this option can help connect our members. Of course, the space will be limited here, with a maximum of 10 locations being listed in each eMag. (Be sure to use the new "Watchlist" feature to connect with members of the future.)
Here's our first:
LumberJocks' Picnics
With the new year upon us it's time to start planning those summer picnics! Oh wait, don't just stop with "summer", anytime will do! Check out this "LumberJocks Picnic" as described by Russel! (Just imagine - breaking bread with Russel, The Wood Whisperer, and the famous Nicole!)
Have you been thinking of getting together with another LumberJock? Perhaps it is PICNIC potential! Why not advertise it and see who else can attend. Just start a blog and see what happens.
Focus On... A Special Member
|
December 28, 2008 - a day to remember
What happened on this day? Someone we all know and love achieved a major milestone. You all know who I'm talking about. How could you not know him? He has contributed 15,000+ postings here at LumberJocks.com and was most likely a member of your welcoming committee when you first joined our LJ family.
|
Who is this famous LumberJock? Why our very own Karson Morrison, sometimes known as "Blabber Fingers".
Karson is one of our founding members, with his picture currently displayed on page 194 of the 195 page listing of Jocks. Karson joined our woodworking community almost three years ago.
As you get to know Karson, it reallly isn't such a surpise as to how active he is here with our LJ family. Reading his blogs, project discriptions, and comments throughout our site it is very clear how important family and community is to him. Many of his projects are made for his family or for his community, through the Mason Dixon Woodworking Club. Not only does he make things to give to others but he teaches others how to do woodworking themselves. In fact, six of his children are LumberJocks, themselves.
Between his active participation with his family and in his community, being the new President of the Mason Dixon Woodworking Club, and his 15,000+ posts here at LJ.com, you would wonder how he finds time to build anything. But, build he does! In fact, he has posted 50 projects, including a caboose that he has refurbished. Yes, a caboose! He always has an entry for the LumberJocks Awards, challenges and other events, and he is also ready to try something new, such as working with Corian or trying his hand at making a bandsaw box.
Karson's woodworking experience began at an early age in the shop with his Dad, followed my extensive experience renovating family homes. From there, he says that everything he has learned has been from reading and doing and now we benefit as he shares his woodworking experiences with us.
When asked about his woodworking journey, Karson took the time to answer my questions in an email. Read the rest of his story, here.
|
|
SOME of KARSON'S PROJECTS
 |
Tutorials & Other "How To's"
|
The following is a list of just some of the tips that can be found here at LumberJocks.com, posted by our fellow LumberJocks:
Building Tips
Business Tips
Carving Tips
Equipment
Speaking of equipment, when was the last time you did a tune-up on your table saw? bandsaw? jointer?
Finishing Tips
Joinery Tips
Shop Tips
Turning Tips
Miscellaneous Tips
Are you looking for a tip that isn't listed here?
Check out the list of other Tutorials & How To's
in previous eMag editions.
Also, remember to use the TAG FEATURE
to search for specific topics.
(The option to search blogs, forums and projects
is provided on the TAG page.)
|
PROJECTS
Check out all the projects HERE.
|
It's Very STAT-isfying
Look at us! We are 6,858 woodworkers making 327,029 comments on 12,423 projects, 6,688 blogs, 548 reviews and 5,697 forum topics.
Check out this graph showing the membership, projects, and blogs for the year 2008.
Fore more information on our achievements of 2008, check out Martin's blog "Bye Bye 2008!"
Sister Sites
HomeRefurbers.com
HomeRefurbers is all about "building, renovating, and improving".
This site began just this year and has over 350 members, sharing their home-refurbing experiences.
GardenTenders.com
GardenTenders, with its 350+ members, share their passion for gardening, plants, their outdoor environments, and we can't forget the recipes!
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!
For information on advertising, see our "Advertising Page".
|
|
|
|
Leave Feedback
Store Pick
New Features
Sponsors
More Shop Talk
Pass it on
Know anyone who might be interested in our eMag? Click here to forward this email to up to 5 friends at once.
|
|
