December 17, 2015

Online Shop Class Update 17 Dec 2015

December 17, 2015/ Todd Clippinger

I am working on completing a client project and this will finish out the month of December. I fully expect to be focused solely on the American Craftsman Shop Class starting in January 2016.

My next step in setting things up is to get an email sign-up ready. The burden of my client work has not allowed me to finish setting up the email sign-up, or much else for the online school, but keep an eye for the announcement here at my blog.

This really is the perfect example of why I am quitting as a contractor, there is no time left over to share the knowledge and skills as I would like. My business as a remodeling contractor just consumes too much time to allow for any other pursuits.

I had a nice visit with the guys from the Modern Woodworkers Association and we recorded a podcast. It should be released in the next few days, I think this weekend maybe? Be sure to check for it at the MWA site, we talk about the changes I made and why.

It is interesting to note that Tom Iovino, from Tom's Workbench, has decided to take leave from the woodworking blogs and the Modern Woodworkers Association podcast due to time constraints. Tom has been a great asset to the woodworking community with his infectious energy and love for the craft and I have enjoyed his posts.

He is facing the same problem that I am and that so many other content producers have; there is a limited number of hours in the day. Those hours are split between either a job or a business, family, sleep and whatever else has to be done.

For most, as with Tom, content production is the lowest priority so that is what gets chopped in the time budget. And I fully understand that decision, and really it is the right one.

For me, as I take inventory of my skills and assets, I feel that I am in a unique position where I can make a living by producing content. To do that, I am leaving the contractor world behind.

I have to get back out to the shop, I really need to get this client project done. I have already mentally disengaged from the project and I am having trouble staying focused. At this point, the project is nothing more than an obstacle in my way to achieving my goal of creating the ACW Shop Class.

Wish me luck and visit Tom's Workbench to leave a supportive message for all that he has done.

Your friend in the shop,

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love - Share the Knowledge

February 17, 2015

Get Woodworking Week 2015

February 17, 2015/ Todd Clippinger

This week, Feb 15-21, 2015 is Get Woodworking Week and it is a movement that has gained some momentum in just a few years. It is a week in February where the woodworking bloggers and content producers provide an extra push of encouragement to get people out to their shops and start woodworking.

I rarely get time to participate in the movements of the woodworking community at large, as everything seems to hit right at the worst moments with my business schedule. But this year, for Get Woodworking Week I was able to crank out a video to share some thoughts on getting into the shop and starting your woodworking journey.

I am not really clear on how it started, but I think Get Woodworking Week was the brainchild of the guys over at the Modern Woodworkers Association, Tom Iovino from Tom's Workbench seems to be at the epicenter of it all. But no matter, it is a great idea. Be sure to check in with the MWA and Tom's Workbench to keep your thumb on the pulse of everyone that is supporting the Get Woodworking Week movement.

I hope you find what I share insightful and motivating.

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love - Share the Knowledge

November 30, 2012

Interview With The Modern Woodworkers Association

November 30, 2012/ Todd Clippinger

The Modern Woodworkers Association started in 2010. Their mission is to organize and connect woodworkers online, help educate woodworkers, and to promote the craft to ensure it carries on. It has become a great single source for woodworkers to find out what is going on in the woodworking world both online and off.

The MWA podcasts are open for public consumption and they cover all things woodworking. In this episode they talk about the Woodworking In America shows and some other general happenings in the world of woodworking. I come in about 17:45 where you can see me looking like a tecnnoboob as I try to figure out how to connect with these guys on Google+.

After that we talk about the fine woodworking museum exhibition, where I have my prairie chandelier on display, working 30 hour days to get it done, and the 5 questions they ask all of their guests. You will find out if I prefer thongs or boxers and we also talk about my sharpening techniques that really upset the “woodworking establishment.”

I just watched the video and, even though I participated in it, I was surprised at how many gold nuggets there were in the information we cover. I actually spill the beans and share the secret to successful woodworking!

I had a great time with these guys and I was still energized the next couple of days after talking with them. I hope you enjoy the video and get something useful out of it.