Bring New Life and Enjoying the Journey

 

    I have learned to stay patient with myself and explore whatever opportunities I can. I have appreciated value in variety and variability of different projects. Keeps a fresh look and opens many possibilities if you’re willing to try. It’s been a good way to challenge myself and improve my skills. I do believe that it has inspired other projects as well. I was scheduled to visit my parents one spring. My mom asked if motivation strikes to refinish the picnic table. Now this table was many years old. I don’t know how old, but remember “just growing up,” having the table. My response “No, I will not refinish, but I will rebuild it.” The table was great, but it had its problems being exposed to the Utah weather. With the flexibility of my family my parents agreed with me and made the investment. The table was easily constructed from dimensional lumber and metal legs. I then made the obvious supportive changes so the wood ends wouldn’t warp over time, well hopefully. I can figure and have heard it from co-workers. You go to your parents they will just put you to work. Um I disagree. I am a natural doer. I love being outside in amazing weather, creating, building, and having a change of pace. I call the ideas they give me inspired suggestions which could possibly happen. To be honest, it goes both ways I pitch ideas to them as well.

            Rebuilding the table had its obvious challenges, from staying on budget, limitations of quality lumber in the way of straightness, and weight when finished. For me the biggest variable was having good weather, this project brought a decent amount of rain. I finished putting it together and weather did permit to get it “functionally sanded.” Sanded enough to make it safe. My mom and I worked together to apply the finish when the weather permitted. Unfortunately, time got away from me, and I was not able to enjoy it before leaving. Darn weather, but water is important. I did get to enjoy it on my next trip up. I loved seeing how it turned out and gave new life when I looked out the window and saw it.

            After rebuilding the picnic table, it opened my eyes to more possibilities and ideas. A while later I got the idea of refinishing a wood box. Yes, there are people who refinish furniture, more power to them. For me brought the question of “how to turn this box into a treasure?” I determined I needed to bring new life and creativity. I was browsing different places to find a possible box that I could play with. I than explored the thrift store and “found the right one.” Of course, I had no idea what kind of artwork I would put on it yet. I just knew it was two dollars and had good bones and bad hardware.

            I bought the box and brought it home. I went through the first obvious steps of removing the hardware, cleaning, and then sanded it down. The top edges had an interesting profile which I changed. Because I was not going to hold the lid on with hinges and figured why not. I used magnets instead to hold the lid on. I got to the point which I needed to figure out what artwork I was looking for. I unfortunately hit a creative block. However, I don’t shy away from the project. I continue to explore ideas and work on other projects that I’m motivated to work on. The blessing of small projects to fill the gaps.

            This project took me longer than expected. The first road bump was I miss typed the wood. It was cedar, which is great wood, but I did not expect how dusty it can be when sanding. I just made sure that I was outside working on the project.

            Design elements came in little steps, I started by adding a boarder around each side. I just realized how I got inspired to choose to put roses on the box. I have a habit of hanging different project elements up near my desk. I realized this has helped my inspiration, didn’t realize this until writing this post. The reflection on my past work is interesting.

            Every time I see roses I feel a sense of peace. Design found. I put two roses on the lid. The next question after the rose is what to put in the background. Sometimes the answer is simple, texture. My goal is to make my work elegant and not too busy. I continued with a texture but for the sides I made sure it all went in the same direction. My goal was to make it look like wind was blowing inside the boarder.

            My longest roadblock was the finishing details, especially the sanding. I stay motivated to do a good job sanding through “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” Despite the struggles trying to do a good job, sanding results will show through when you apply the finish. It also took longer to sand because of the wood type. I buckled down and finished the box. After sanding I burned the wood to add more depth to the work. Burning can be tricky and is way easy to overdo it. I’ve gone a little overboard on another project. I put the wax on and buffed it smooth. The character of the wood and accent burns. I loved how it came to life.

            I took a random trip early this year and was able to see a friend of mine for a few mins. I like to show off a little bit. I showed her the box, and my next line was something to the effect of “take it home please.” Catching people off guard is fun, and I am just listening to my work when it tells me where it should go. She loved and appreciated the box, especially when I saw her smile.

            These projects have opened my mind to using my creative abilities to design and develop solutions. I realized projects are in many forms and may have the ability to include others. A lot of big projects have been to help my parents. It’s fun to help them out, and plus “they have the space to let me build things.” Plus, I can’t go wrong causing chaos with my dad outside. My mom gets a good laugh, shakes her head and enjoys what we come up with.

            I solved two common problems outside of more storage and seating. My dad and I built a storage box. The creative wheels started turning and we then added a towel rack. On this project we roped my mother into making seat cushions.

            Of course, these treasures are different from where I started. But there is nothing wrong with that. I have learned that treasures don’t have to be “a special item.” Treasures can be creating helping repurpose and bring new life to something. Having an adventure with someone building. Seeing a possible solution that may be “not so obvious.”  The more I do this, I have seen more value in the line “you don’t know unless you try.” Sometimes ideas and inspiration come by talking with people. Everyone has different talents, experiences, and thought processes. My brother loves to make things with EVA foam. I challenged him over Christmas to “lets play with the off cuts.” Having brainless fun to learn the material and “see what happens.” I do get you need an idea for something to make. It was a fun few hours we spent in the garage. Talking and bouncing ideas between the three of us. I learned more about how EVA foam works. But I was also able to show my brother and my dad how my rotary tools can be used as well.

            Treasures values are created not through the materials used. But from the invested time, effort, and involving different people. Using and sharing your skills and talents and enjoying the journey.