https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog daily 0.75 2022-12-29 https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/painting-laser-cut-wood monthly 0.5 2022-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/e593c0de-9a15-4607-8476-5b8f61426a66/IMG_3766.jpg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/53bc3cb1-6847-4cee-91d0-9b34d277e216/IMG_2687+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1672348261454-RQKYHOIXM8Y55PWM6MHQ/IMG_3841.jpg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1672348254148-0QGCXHOA04U07RY8AM50/IMG_3696.jpg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1672348319087-U636D4G6NCTJNP0T665S/IMG_3566.PNG Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1672348292318-0DB512KV9X4QKKQJMOI3/IMG_3842.jpg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1672347898682-QG71BZ4J5MKUK49BFGGS/IMG_2293+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood - Space needed to paint &amp; dry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1672347909168-G1TSSCRENUTZHSYOM27I/IMG_2300.jpeg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood - Paint Oops ... it crinkled but for just a couple of pieces https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/041c22a5-9569-4ed2-b333-d96229644835/IMG_2767+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Quick Tip: Painting for Laser Cut Wood - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/my-1st-attempt-casting-resin monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671763919762-SFV1E6V5FN2PPSSJI6BQ/IMG_3643.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - 1st: After Resin is Poured https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671763924569-RC0DRZ12R3ONX4Y3AKVE/IMG_3644.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - 2nd: After the Heat Gun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671763933492-MIAXFK3VK9VN22QBSC0O/IMG_3645.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - 3rd: After popping more bubbles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671763822125-1STK960G0CV62ZVYCGJ1/IMG_3646.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - Cloudy resin before mixing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671763807567-5BD83E6MTM4MVJY61FED/IMG_3641.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - Resin bubbles - more mixing is needed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/927efb4e-b8f4-4b25-b780-bf12d805e0e7/IMG_3652.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - Make sure to cover up your project while it cures so that no dust, bugs or pet fur get into it. I used parchment paper since it doesn’t stick. This resin has a cure time of 8-12 for summer and 12-20 for winter depending on the ambient temperature. I was impatient and un-molded at 10 hours to see what happened and was set but a bit “pliable” which could be good to know depending on the project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671808997571-Y6SRB0IOTP7RWNQK2H7Q/IMG_3665.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671809042987-J5Y82IQGPM7V3ED2F23H/IMG_3670.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671809052859-DESPKINE1TTSQAKEYB2X/IMG_3667.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671809063424-TTHCA44WQOTTZH57Q7MV/IMG_3669.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671809983189-0E9R07AFB6L8W2J6G8F9/IMG_3682.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671764076837-ULT1L5VT7BBI6TKQNKJO/IMG_3648.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - Mixing in the Dye &amp; Glitter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671764088474-2RZVCB5NGR67FE1DADTL/IMG_3649.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - Close-Up View https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1671764101247-0GY4ET0LNBCS2HZWPFNW/IMG_3650.jpg Blog - My 1st Attempt: Casting Resin - Coaster's ready to cure https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/getting-organized-the-process monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/a0eb03ce-06c6-4dba-88ed-d3a553f71c94/IMG_3467.jpg Blog - Cluttered Mess to Organized Success: Easy 6 Step Process - Example: I have even convinced my dad to start using containers and labels in his machine shed. He has been able to maintain this system since I knew the was a lot like me so open bins that were visible and general categories was the best fit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/7f4ec293-2165-4f8d-a3b7-871659515815/SPACES.png Blog - Cluttered Mess to Organized Success: Easy 6 Step Process - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/086b5f69-5b7a-467e-b631-a89a658f4633/IMG_3466.jpg Blog - Cluttered Mess to Organized Success: Easy 6 Step Process - Example: I open and sort my mail in the kitchen, so I added baskets on a corner of a desk in the kitchen for my mail not some other location. https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/macrame-my-1st-attempt monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/fb47ae1e-0d57-4dec-a980-23dffa1a7824/Hanging+Idea.png Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé Source of the inspiration: https://roamingroots.co/collections/macrame-wood-art-hangings (Her work is beautiful - check it out) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/661c29dd-f319-4025-9cd4-ad8f25944bf4/Attempt+%233.png Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/00212fde-a70d-46bf-b40c-026f1f0099ae/IMG_3368.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/d8f8cf6b-2716-4db5-8c45-94dc79a9b365/Materials.png Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé - Materials: 3 mm Cotton Macramé Cord Wooden Star (Can also use a ring) Wooden Beads (I had to enlarge my bead holes with a drill) Supplies: Tape (or something to hold down your piece) Measuring Tape Scissors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/2f750422-d585-47c3-bb76-a29c84864a6c/IMG_3366.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1670436046542-YQR2AQNUHWFTHKPTZTMG/Macrame.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/355697a0-5f5b-4061-bc1e-4cf6009b33bf/1st+Booth+Picture.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/9e750a7c-5481-4d80-b912-e62f0f1df08e/Attempt+%232.png Blog - My First Attempt: Macramé Now I am feeling a bit more confident I took the tree on one more time. I will say that this time the video made a lot more sense. I have a tree that isn’t too bad actually. I did write out each step so I could replicate more easily. I did have a bit of an oops and didn’t cut the strings quite right, I missed the “4” and just cut 2x of each, so some of my lengths at the end were a bit wonky. To be good at this, you need practice to get consistent knots in size and then can take on more challenging projects. https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/do-you-want-to-start-a-handmade-business-take-this-quiz-first monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1669945432282-NDDND2EC1245RLJQO4P3/unsplash-image--8a5eJ1-mmQ.jpg Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/5cebe81b-d9a2-4480-b784-27d83b5bf48d/IMG_3228.jpg Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1669945323579-WP5NNU1WQU4YOP3I89TI/unsplash-image-q10VITrVYUM.jpg Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/ec08942a-aa1e-4e39-a3ac-7d8138ca47f6/Screenshot+2022-12-01+at+4.46.39+PM.png Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First You will increase your changes of success if you create a product that differentiates you from the competitors. If you don’t have anything unique - you are then competing on price which makes it much harder for long term success. What is your strengths? What makes you unique? What can you offer that your competition doesn’t? Each product you offer should have an USP. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1669943626427-DRBBOPRPRUPUMPV1UI8S/unsplash-image-EewQhPTA7yQ.jpg Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/ad7fa70b-79d8-4965-b6ae-e2b1bef64eef/Booth+Grid.png Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/21cd3550-72b3-4ea1-ac56-a2c51f53c10f/Screenshot+2022-12-02+at+1.14.57+PM.png Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/4bfc2f37-1d3c-4095-a1af-6ec765dc993c/Screenshot+2022-11-26+at+5.17.11+PM.png Blog - Starting a Handmade Business - Questions to Ask First - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/building-a-leash-holder monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/f3bbee55-923a-4a60-bce3-173a4d3896ee/IMG_3123+2.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/6c2844b2-ca9c-41c5-a86b-cab059b0e099/IMG_3082.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out Air Assist: The image on the left is with and the right is without. It does help reduce the amount of charring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/5bb66e45-317c-4369-9073-c5ce0821a533/IMG_3124+2.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/dd740db7-f293-4b58-acf2-aee9e1364056/IMG_3167+2.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/ea372a32-42d4-4c09-8ce4-463baced7dcf/Leash+Time+Chart.png Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Time: The table of times does not include design time, set-up, or drying time Cost: Supplies ~$2 Cost: Materials Used - $5.75 1x10 Board - 9.25” Long: $1.50 1/8” Baltic Birch Plywood: $0.80 Stain & Paint: $0.10 Polycyclic: $0.50 Hook: $1.15 Hanging Hardware: $1.70 If you need to purchase materials your cost will be more, this is just for the estimated portion used. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/cd72956a-e01b-4e8f-9349-603d695f4fd7/IMG_3138+2.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/0a7bc20b-4cce-4bd9-a92e-f8f5bf396770/IMG_3078.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - “Woof” & Dog I decided for this design to go with a square leash hanger with a dog silhouette with the hook as the tail. I also added the word “Woof”. You can use any word that you want - such as your dogs name. I then loaded my design into the laser cutting software to cut it. This took me a few minutes to cut on 1/8” Baltic Birch - which I am able to do with one pass at 100% power and 5 mm/sec. Each machine/material is different so make sure you do a power test. You can also cut vinyl for this, cut a stencil and paint on the design, or cut the design with a scroll saw. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/afffc60c-3a6f-42af-8003-f51f23f9a771/IMG_3247+2.png Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out “HOME” leash hanger with four hooks & Paw Shaped Leash Hanger https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/e70ca574-0ff4-441d-ad52-64256815c460/IMG_3246+2.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/9fbd27b8-62d1-4087-848c-562a21dbcbeb/IMG_3137+2.jpg Blog - Building a Leash Hanger - Make it stand out Watch for areas where the poly may settle - you can see on the left corner where more appeared about five minutes after I had checked it last. https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/first-attempt-acrylic-paint-pouring monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/f72780a4-58c0-4f5e-baa2-e0515d9e8a0a/IMG_1261.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Acrylic Paint Pouring - Make it stand out First Attempt: I didn’t have my ratio correct and it was too thick so it was hard to get the paint to flow or move with the heat gun. Time for an engineer design change - and make the consistency thinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/b98cca23-a31f-463d-8ea5-51396328789a/IMG_1289.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Acrylic Paint Pouring - Make it stand out The Third Attempt: I got the mix of paint and pouring medium the closest, and saw the warp issues starting on the first two so I was able to pivot and let it dry flat. NAILED IT! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/92c6f57f-3702-451b-a1d8-0d14fb583d78/Supplies.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Acrylic Paint Pouring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/18b75760-3086-474b-88e1-66482b814112/.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Acrylic Paint Pouring - Make it stand out Attempt #2: I got the flow right - but I ran out of white and wanted to lighten up my image. So I knew for the next round I needed more white and having extra pouring medium in case I needed to adjust the mix. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/8aa14472-d4a2-41c9-9d61-8881736cd1ea/IMG_1282.jpg Blog - My First Attempt: Acrylic Paint Pouring - Make it stand out This was a FAIL - or “First Attempt In Learning”. I would not use a flat canvas that is on cardboard, I would instead use a stretched canvas or canvas on a more durable material. https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/holiday-wooden-decor-3-quick-and-easy-projects monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1669164149196-MHXNV4A57R4LL0ZPLQRN/Bandsaw.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1669164194341-QCFXHGLSC9DWQLF8YYKG/Scroll+Saw.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/7688e9b0-0bcf-4052-ab25-0787d42a37cb/Screenshot+2022-11-18+at+6.36.40+PM.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - For this example I will be using a reindeer that I want to add a design to. 1st I sized my reindeer to 5.5” wide to fit on a 1x6 board. I then picked out a snowflake and sized it to fit on my reindeer. I then created a stencil - I created a squire that was a bit bigger then the snowflake and used the slice function - as I did above for the trees. I did take it an extra step and sliced the square with the reindeer to make aligning easier when it is time to add the design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/0ae5af2b-b702-453d-b297-e7045b1456de/Screenshot+2022-11-18+at+6.35.54+PM.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - For this example I will be using “SNOW” First: pick a font and snowflake Second: Size the text - I use either 3.5” or 5.5” tall to fit on a 1 x 4 or 1 x 6. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/f11edba2-9493-48ac-b52c-498347e74c4d/Applying+Template.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - Third: Apply your template First, I need to add something to my wood to protect it from the glue. I use either painter’s tape or removeable contact paper. I d this so the spray adhesive doesn’t get onto the wood which makes sanding quicker. Next, I spray the back of my template with spray adhesive. I would do so on cardboard or something you don’t care if it gets sticky from the over spray. I also prefer the Loctite – for me – I feel the gorilla glue nozzles clog up faster. I then line up and place my stencil to the piece of wood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/8871e754-46b8-4570-ba60-ed6a743fcace/Screenshot+2022-11-18+at+6.51.19+PM.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - Next - I sized the tree to be 5.5” Wide x 7” tall. I then copied & pasted so there are two trees To create my slots for the trees - I made two triangles that were 0.75” (Wood Depth) by 3.5” (1/2 Tree Height) Next I aligned the squares on trees. I used the align function to make sure they were centered and the top and bottom of each tree. I then again used the slice function to remove this section of the design. I have circled the slice function in the image below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/94f7cff6-77c4-4b2d-93a5-a731e96dd92d/Final+Product+Image.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/361258b6-560e-4057-991e-e44d44eedc98/Miter+Saw.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - Second: Cut Base Pieces This is an easy step – I got my board and cut the length I needed on my miter saw. I do write the measurements down on my templates so it is easer to quickly remember how long each board needs to be. I make sure to line it up correctly with the line and remember to keep your fingers away from the blade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/6ba352d1-ce67-4d7e-9f1a-73931af86e48/Time+Chart.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - Estimated Time Needed: The time spent during each phase may vary depending on skill level With set-up and clean up each project should take <1 hour, if a simplified snowflake is used the time on SNOW cutting and painted can be reduced. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/e06e668c-51b8-49f3-91b4-e902cc07ff92/Screenshot+2022-11-18+at+8.06.04+PM.png Blog - Wooden Holiday Décor - Three Quick and Easy DIY Projects - Make it stand out I then used the same process as above to draw and cut my templates. https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/5-benefits-of-getting-organzied monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/593d54f4-cd62-4873-809a-b53c86f15a19/Stress+and+Anxiety+impacts Blog - Getting Organized: The Top 5 Benefits I Experienced - Mental Health: One of the biggest impacts that clutter has on mental health is increasing stress and anxiety. When you see the clutter that you know you need to do something with, your brain is noting it and creating to-do list which makes it hard to relax. The higher this anxiety is the harder it is to tackle it which leads to a bit of an endless cycle. In the image you can see a long list of what stress and anxiety does to your body and mind. Getting my house organized and cleaned up has also improved my self-confidence. Getting a project completed creates a sense of accomplishment that I can be proud of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/a5879953-e273-43a6-be42-ca99d77cd65f/Dining+Room+turned+Craft+Room Blog - Getting Organized: The Top 5 Benefits I Experienced - #4: More Creative When you have a house that is visually stimulating, and you can relax in - this clears up space in your mind for creative endeavors. More time for doing what you enjoy and expressing yourself further improves your overall mental health and wellness. This also allowed me to clear up some space for a craft room and workshop. At one time these spaces were just piled with stuff but getting rid of things and clearing them out I was able to create spaces I can truly enjoy. My dining room has now been transformed into a craft room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/5b913078-25d4-4bdd-bd20-936bda577c7c/Screenshot+2022-11-25+at+11.57.37+AM.png Blog - Getting Organized: The Top 5 Benefits I Experienced This one may be more painful than time. Notice above and all the “lost items”? Well, when I lost something, I would end up buying it again and the number of duplicates I ended up with is a bit scary. When you know what you have, you don’t buy as many duplicates due to loss or damaged items. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/a233648b-8540-444c-9c6a-afa5b62ed2a6/Circle+of+Wellness.png Blog - Getting Organized: The Top 5 Benefits I Experienced - The Circle of Wellness: Physical: Movement, Nutrition, Sleep Emotional: Stress Management, Mindset, Gratitude Spiritual: Beliefs, Values & Ethics Environment: Clean & Organized surroundings Social: Social network and relationships Intellectual: Education, Hobbies, Creativity Financial: Budget, Investments, Debt Management Occupational: Career, Volunteering https://the-creative-engineer.com/blog/building-a-decorative-ladder monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628295986338-O8FJ3NZ7A1M3GEIWX75C/Screen+Shot+2021-08-06+at+7.25.00+PM.png Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder - Blanket Ladder: Example 1 Time of 30 minutes - Not sure I would come close to that. That was about the time I spent just applying stain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628295988425-YX30K1MXT1SSXYTCHEW1/Screen+Shot+2021-08-06+at+7.25.37+PM.png Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder - Blanket Ladder: Example 2 $5 - that is just funny! For my basic design the wood alone cost $10+tax and its a 1” dowel rod and one 2x4. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628527617936-MMZJRVCOOD8AHSVNDBNN/IMG_5814.jpeg Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder - Assembly: Adding Hangers 1st I flipped the board and added hangers to the back so you can mount the board on the wall. I decided to make them centered and 16” apart so that someone and screw directly into studs if so desired. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628291093558-WORVPTJ25YUKBENZ6BME/tempImage5Q69Mk.gif Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder - Compound Miter Saw Legs: I shortened my 8’ 2x4 down to 6’ Ladder Rungs: I have a 72” long dowel that I split into 5 pieces. I would lose 0.25” for my blade Kerf so 71.75 divided by 5 equals 14.35”. Blade kerf is the width of the blade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628292921381-KVMDBD2RMMRC43Q8YT17/IMG_5749.jpg Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628292919458-539F2DMZ9TIAVJPRJHXF/IMG_5750.jpg Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628292949518-OHX7KSKTN9HETFG7NBM3/IMG_5751.jpg Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628527877378-WE8WVAT0Z0PYCLT3X7QG/IMG_5818.jpg Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder Cost: $38.06 (About $25.85 Used) Eye Screws: $0.99 x 2 Wood Base to mount pipes – 1x6” that is 26” Long – a 3’ board is $3.19 at Menard’s ($2.30) Black Pipe: I used 2 Flanges ($3.99 each); 2 Elbows ($0.89 each); 2 6” Nipples ($1.38); 18” Pipe ($5.19) - $17.71 Spray Paint – $7.48 (Maybe 25% - $1.87) Staining - 5% Usage from above - $1.20 Hangers: ~ $0.50 Screws: 3/4” Screws $7.20 for 200 (For 8 it is $0.29) Time: It took me about an hour to do the extra piece. Tools: Only thing extra was a standard drill bit to pre-drill a hole for my eye hooks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628292276482-YON6WQE6KIA9XDGHUUIK/IMG_5762.JPG Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder On the inside portion of the legs, I used a drill press and a 1” Forstner bit to make inserts to help with assembly and add strength. I am fortunate that I live on a farm and in the machine shed my dad has a drill press. I find I can get much straighter and cleaner cuts vs using a drill with a spade bit (My luck with spade bits and a drill deserves a home on the “Wall of Oops”). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628527175910-CSQNR5HP6LUGGT0B5MCS/IMG_5815.jpg Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder - Assembly: Adding the Pipes to the base I added the eye bolts to the ladder, threaded onto the pipe and re-assembled it, then screwed the flanges onto the base board. I of course measured to make sure that the pipe assembly it was centered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d49c4c75d9d45ff3f7543d/1628528252998-F1OYKR37TLSZFXS32RXB/IMG_5816.jpg Blog - Building a Decorative Ladder - My Completed Ladder - What did it actually take? Est. Overall Cost if you have to buy all the supplies (With Tax) Ladder: $80 Plussing It: $41 ($121 total) Est. Cost for amount of supplies used (With Tax) Ladder: About $20 Plussing It: $28 ($48 Total) Estimated Labor Time (Not counting dry time, shopping or other miscellaneous tasks): Ladder: About 130 minutes or a bit over 2 hours. 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