First, I need to apologize for not posting anything on the blog lately. I haven’t forgotten about all of you! I’ve just been a little busy lately, and by a little busy, I mean I’ve been making enough sawdust to start my own lumberyard.

Apparently, this is what they call craft season, and I’m beginning to understand why!

I now have three out of four craft shows confirmed, with the fourth one still pending. With my first show coming up this Saturday, I’ve been spending weeks working on projects and trying to build up my inventory. After all the hours I’ve put into woodworking, you would think I’d have enough items to fill a booth. Nope! I still feel like I’m running behind.

For years, I’ve used my laser engraver to burn designs into wood and cut shapes out of thin sheets of wood, which I can then assemble into various decorations. I’ve also engraved images and designs onto wooden picture frames. These are fun projects, but I’ve learned over time that just because something looks good in advertisements doesn’t necessarily mean it will sell well at a craft show. Apparently, customers don’t always share my enthusiasm for every brilliant idea I come up with!

So, I’ve been branching out and trying some different things.

Instead of relying so much on the laser, I’ve been putting my woodworking tools to work making items such as wooden lanterns and Grinch Christmas trees. I’ve also been experimenting with my 3D printer, producing things like ghost and snowman tea lanterns. It’s been fun trying new ideas, and I’m hoping some of these items will be popular with shoppers this year.

Of course, coming up with new projects is only half the battle. I have to actually MAKE them!

That means I’ll be spending pretty much every day this week in the shop, working to get as many items finished as possible before Saturday. At least, that’s the plan. Whether I can get everything done is another story!

When I’m not busy making sawdust, I’m usually sitting at the computer looking for new project ideas and downloading plans. I now have a binder full of measured drawings for things I want to build. Some of those projects will get started soon, while others will have to wait until I have a little downtime. There are even a few that I’m in no hurry to make or sell. Those can wait for a rainy day when I need something to keep me occupied.

If I’m not careful, I’ll have enough projects planned to keep me busy until Christmas 2035!

Taking a Break to Go Fishing

With all the woodworking I’ve been doing lately, I decided I needed to take a day off and spend a few hours doing something I enjoy. So yesterday, I loaded up the kayak and headed out for a little fishing.

Notice I said fishing, not catching.

There’s a reason they call it fishing. Sometimes you catch fish, and sometimes you just get a lot of practice throwing a lure into the water. Yesterday was definitely one of those days.

After spending four hours on the water, I managed to catch exactly ONE fish. And it wasn’t much of a fish, either. It weighed about half a pound. I’m not sure it was even big enough to qualify as a decent appetizer!

I also spent quite a bit of time doing what fishermen affectionately call “tree fishing.” For those who aren’t familiar with the term, that’s when you cast your lure into the trees instead of the water.

I’m apparently getting pretty good at it.

Unfortunately, one of my attempts to retrieve a lure from an overhead tree ended with me breaking a fishing rod. That’s right. I went fishing for four hours, caught one little fish, lost some time wrestling with trees, and came home with a broken rod.

I probably could have stayed home and made sawdust. At least then I would have had something productive to show for my efforts!

I’m hoping I can get the rod replaced without too much trouble. In the meantime, I guess I’ll have to be a little more careful about where I throw my lures. Of course, if I knew how to do that consistently, I might actually catch more fish!

A Little Health Update

On the health front, I’m doing about as well as can be expected.

My iron levels have improved somewhat, which is good news. Over the past several months, I’ve gotten a little tired of having to be at the oncologist’s office at 7:30 in the morning every other week for iron infusions. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for the treatments, but those early morning appointments can get old after a while!

Unfortunately, I know this improvement may only be temporary. My iron levels have a way of dropping again, and there’s a good chance I’ll eventually have to start the infusions all over again. For now, though, I’ll take the improvement and be thankful for it.

Later this week, I’ll be going back for more blood work to see how things are looking and, hopefully, get a better idea of how well my new medication is working.

Living with CML has taught me that health updates don’t always come with clear answers or guarantees. Sometimes things look good, sometimes there are setbacks, and sometimes you just have to take things one day at a time. That’s pretty much how I’ve learned to approach it.

In the meantime, I’m going to keep doing what I enjoy, stay as busy as I can, and make the most of the good days.

What’s Coming Next?

For the next few weeks, my attention will be focused on getting ready for these craft shows. I’ll be building, cutting, sanding, assembling, printing, and probably making a few more trips to the store for supplies than I’d care to admit.

Hopefully, the new items will be a hit with shoppers, and I’ll come home with fewer things than I took to the shows. That’s always the goal!

I’ll try to keep everyone updated on how the craft shows go, what sells, and what new projects I come up with along the way. And if I manage to squeeze in another fishing trip, I’ll let you know how that goes, too. Maybe next time I’ll catch more fish than I catch trees!

Thanks for sticking with me, even when I disappear for a while. Between woodworking, craft shows, fishing adventures, and keeping up with my health, there’s usually something going on around here.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some sawdust waiting to be made!