  | Six months with no public library has been painful. Thank goodness my daughter and I know where all the Little Free Libraries are in our neighborhood. (16 in a 1/2 mile radius!) We bike around and collect reading material when we need a break. Thanks to the pandemic, I finally finished building my own version in my front yard. Check out their map to find more near you. If you're interested in building your own, this book has great inspiration. |
When I moved to Portland fifteen years ago, I owned only a trunk-full of essentials, and the next few years were one of the most creative and expansive times of my life. Now I have a house, a career, a family, and a stability that still surprises me. (Am I now part of the establishment?) I also have a growing collection of stuff, and am having to learn a different lesson. In short: Don't take it because its free and might have a use someday. (I found these two books pretty motivating in that direction.) So I've been purging my broken furniture and unfinished projects. And I cut down my scrap wood pile to make this headboard (with integrated side tables) and this coffee table inspired by Pinterest. Here's hoping I can pass up the next free box...
 Its taken five years to create a completely functional studio. Starting with the blank box of an attached garage, I enclosed the narrow ends with floor-to-ceiling storage. Then came the fun stuff, like these efficient design projects. Easiest to Make: These picture ledges hold canvases and work in progress, and were made with 1x3s and 1x4s.  Most Trial-and-Error: This large magnet board. Metal sheets were too small to hold much, and magnetic paint was too weak. But lots of recycled jar caps glued to a piece of free shower vinyl --and spray-painted white -- is both strong and cheap. Plus I'm really impressed with myself every time I look at it.  Most useful: My massive worktable holds paper files on both sides, with drawers built into the top. Key to the design are large wheels that make it movable, and the 36" height, useful for standing work or a bar stool.  And here's a Before Picture of the same view.  |
