Evan Stockton
07-11-2007, 10:01 AM
Hello, all –
Not sure where the appropriate place to post this would be, so I’m going with this board…
I just wanted to introduce myself as a new member of the boards (that way, you at least have an idea who I am when I start inundating you all with a ton of questions! :D ) – My name, obviously, is Evan Stockton, and my wife Jenn and I live in New York City.
We’re recently married, although we’ve been together for three years now, and we live in the garden-level of a brownstone in Harlem.
I work for a non-profit that manages and provides technical assistance for healthcare, especially regarding women & children, in third world nations. (Although the majority of our work is in Africa, we have country offices all over the world.)
So, I have a job that provides me with a fairly decent sense of well-being, but I needed some form of creative outlet – Thus my interest in woodworking, and subsequently finding these message boards.
I’ve always been somewhat artistically-inclined (before my foray into business & information technology, I acquired an AA in graphic design), but really couldn’t settle on a media for which to use as my outlet – Until I built a plant stand for my wife.
No experience, no plans, little budget, lots of help (in the form of locations to acquire materials) from eBay & Home Depot – But I had a blast, and its actually serving its purpose admirably. (I installed fluorescent fixtures on the tops of the shelves and use plant & aquarium lights – I have to say, it works – I’ll try to pull a couple of pictures and post them, although it doesn’t come close to the pieces I’ve seen thus far here.)
Anyway, my father has always been very good building and planning and drawing, and my great grandfather was a master carpenter – I hate that I didn’t have the chance to spend more time with him and learn about all the cool hand tools that held me spellbound when I would see them in his shop. Well, this new-found appreciation (and enjoyment) of woodworking allows me to feel closer to them somehow, and simultaneously provides me that creative outlet.
My projects lately have been using a Dremmel tool to “carve” or route out the negative space on pre-cut pieces (I’ve picked up at Joann’s Fabrics) – I then paint the remaining raised design, and poly the whole thing. I’ve done a couple of welcome signs for family, and recently completely a clock for my sister commemorating her wedding (I’ll try and post pictures of these, as well).
I wanted to expand (both my projects and my knowledge), so I’ve been doing lots of internet reading (again, that’s how I found myself here) and bought a couple of books, including one that’s all simple projects (bookcases, mirrors, tables, etc.). I’m excited to get started in earnest.
Another type of project I’m thinking about getting into is sandblasting – My father, upon seeing what I had done with the aforementioned clock, suggested I look into that method because of how I worked the design (again, leaving the raised design after getting rid of the negative space) – We subsequently started looking at some of the signs in our area – New York doesn’t have many of the sandblasted types, but Florida (where we were for my sister’s wedding) had a ton of them. I know I could do some good stuff, and maybe even sell them, but I have a bunch to learn first. (Speaking of which, this subject will probably be the topic of my first question to the group, so stay tuned! lol)
OK, for those who have read this far, thanks – This was a long-winded way of saying hello, telling you who I am, and explaining why I’m here. I’ve enjoyed looking through the posts thus far, and am excited about interacting with you folks.
Take care, and best regards,
Evan
Not sure where the appropriate place to post this would be, so I’m going with this board…
I just wanted to introduce myself as a new member of the boards (that way, you at least have an idea who I am when I start inundating you all with a ton of questions! :D ) – My name, obviously, is Evan Stockton, and my wife Jenn and I live in New York City.
We’re recently married, although we’ve been together for three years now, and we live in the garden-level of a brownstone in Harlem.
I work for a non-profit that manages and provides technical assistance for healthcare, especially regarding women & children, in third world nations. (Although the majority of our work is in Africa, we have country offices all over the world.)
So, I have a job that provides me with a fairly decent sense of well-being, but I needed some form of creative outlet – Thus my interest in woodworking, and subsequently finding these message boards.
I’ve always been somewhat artistically-inclined (before my foray into business & information technology, I acquired an AA in graphic design), but really couldn’t settle on a media for which to use as my outlet – Until I built a plant stand for my wife.
No experience, no plans, little budget, lots of help (in the form of locations to acquire materials) from eBay & Home Depot – But I had a blast, and its actually serving its purpose admirably. (I installed fluorescent fixtures on the tops of the shelves and use plant & aquarium lights – I have to say, it works – I’ll try to pull a couple of pictures and post them, although it doesn’t come close to the pieces I’ve seen thus far here.)
Anyway, my father has always been very good building and planning and drawing, and my great grandfather was a master carpenter – I hate that I didn’t have the chance to spend more time with him and learn about all the cool hand tools that held me spellbound when I would see them in his shop. Well, this new-found appreciation (and enjoyment) of woodworking allows me to feel closer to them somehow, and simultaneously provides me that creative outlet.
My projects lately have been using a Dremmel tool to “carve” or route out the negative space on pre-cut pieces (I’ve picked up at Joann’s Fabrics) – I then paint the remaining raised design, and poly the whole thing. I’ve done a couple of welcome signs for family, and recently completely a clock for my sister commemorating her wedding (I’ll try and post pictures of these, as well).
I wanted to expand (both my projects and my knowledge), so I’ve been doing lots of internet reading (again, that’s how I found myself here) and bought a couple of books, including one that’s all simple projects (bookcases, mirrors, tables, etc.). I’m excited to get started in earnest.
Another type of project I’m thinking about getting into is sandblasting – My father, upon seeing what I had done with the aforementioned clock, suggested I look into that method because of how I worked the design (again, leaving the raised design after getting rid of the negative space) – We subsequently started looking at some of the signs in our area – New York doesn’t have many of the sandblasted types, but Florida (where we were for my sister’s wedding) had a ton of them. I know I could do some good stuff, and maybe even sell them, but I have a bunch to learn first. (Speaking of which, this subject will probably be the topic of my first question to the group, so stay tuned! lol)
OK, for those who have read this far, thanks – This was a long-winded way of saying hello, telling you who I am, and explaining why I’m here. I’ve enjoyed looking through the posts thus far, and am excited about interacting with you folks.
Take care, and best regards,
Evan