I made me another bowl today. I think in many ways it is better than the ones I have done before. There is still room to improve, and the important thing is I think I did from the last one. So, I think I know how far forward I can keep reaching to improve this little production.
I also cut some firewood and split it today. I am not feeling good about how dry it is, but I am pretty happy with it being there as opposed to not. It is still the cold part of the year, and perhaps it will be better than freezing! There is dry wood in the pile still. So, there is that. Also, on the topic of firewood, I keep seeing rounds piled up next to people’s driveways and houses and sheds. I think that is a good idea. I think that would be a great way of starting the seasoning of the wood for the year prior to splitting it ready to burn after. It seems like the rounds with the bark on, especially, would keep the water off the wood naturally. Then I could split them the year after, and then I could stack them in the woodshed ready for the winter to come. The rounds could pile nicely next to the shed, or along a fence line, and dry from the ends first, then in the middle over the summer after they are split and put in the shed. It seems like a good idea, and it would mean that I could get ahead on my prep by a year without having to do it all in a year, while giving the wood a good place to dry without having to build it. Doth that maketh senseth? Me hopest so!
So, here is an exciting topic. Missus identified a hole int he market for hairpin lace looms, and had me build a bunch. I made twenty or so, then she listed them on her Etsy shop and her website. Next thing you know, she gets an order for one. Then another. Then over the weekend, two more. She mailed those two out today, and this afternoon another one sold. We are in shock. I will have to make more. I will work on my production sills and try to make them better than the last batch was. But I will also think about ways to make fancy versions to sell at a higher price. We think there could be a market for premium ones, too.
Handmade Hairpin Lace Crochet Loom for Open Lacework – Etsy
I’ll check the stock and see what we have before getting to work on some more. It might be time to order parts ready up for the next batch.
Okay, so driving was hardly worth it on Monday. President’s Day did not affect the day in any way I can measure as I don’t have a previous year to compare to. Also, I just don’t consider it a major holiday. I made enough to refill the tank and then $30 more. But given the hours I worked, that was probably less than I made in high school when minimum wage was $3.35 an hour. Consider too, I have got to set aside for taxes yet. The weekend was pretty great. I will be working the days I am not taking the kids on school runs, which is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I don’t see me going down there on the other days as I want to be sure to be around to get the kids on time. But I am lighting up Preston for those days. Well, I am looking for Preston to light up. Today it has not. At all! It has been really pathetic! I have Uber and Door Dash on, and nothing from either of them. Maybe tomorrow. But it did give me time to work in the shop. I will likely go out again in a few minutes to do some more. I still need to make for the fair. I still want to make me a plate, too. I think I will have to cut up a log then glue up the pieces for the blank. That would beat not making what I want just because the logs are too small around. So there is that job to work on tonight. It’s still above freezing out there, a little.