Above all, I’m extending a sincere, heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone serving on the front lines of this pandemic: healthcare professionals, supermarket workers, public servants, and all other essential employees. A close friend of ours is an anesthesiologist in the Army, and he received only 36 hours’ notice before packing up and leaving his beloved family in Georgia to care for COVID-19 patients in New York City. I cleaned off the only respirator in my workshop and mailed it to him this week, along with a substantial prayer for his protection. Please understand how deeply thankful I am for you and for everyone else carrying such a tremendous load during these extraordinary circumstances. To those of us staying home, sheltering in place, and trying our best to move through this unpredictable and distressing period, I hope you’re finding meaningful time with family and are able to experience calm and happiness amid it all.
A couple of weeks back, I spoke with my friend Sam from DIY Huntress about the difficulties we’re currently experiencing as online content creators. Should we continue presenting our DIY projects when doing so seems insignificant and unimportant compared with everything happening throughout the world? What’s the best way to support you while remaining considerate and aware of people’s hardships? Even more importantly, how can we maintain a sense of connection when we are literally separated from one another physically?
After I requested your thoughts on social media, countless people responded with an enthusiastic “YES!” YES – to continuing to share DIY ideas and inspiration, because they help ease the anxiety we’re all experiencing as we work toward a sense of normality and structure. You reminded me that these projects and our shared voices offer a soothing break from the weight of today’s world. That’s how this #BuildAtHome group collaboration came to life.
The sole requirement for the #BuildAtHome challenge was to #stayhome and create something using materials we already had available. To make the experience even more enjoyable, we asked you to take part as well. And wow, did you respond! Tracking the #BuildAtHome hashtag over the last few weeks was incredibly inspiring as we saw you share your methods, creations, imagination, and everyday lives. I’ve never experienced such a powerful feeling of community.
In short, I’m grateful to have participated in this challenge, and my scrap wood collection is gradually shrinking into a more manageable pile. Who would have guessed? Apparently, quarantine is wonderful for getting things done!
Here are the five projects I created for the #BuildAtHome challenge:
Keep watching… the planter stand tutorial will be available soon!
DIY Sanding Disc Storage
I looked everywhere for ways to store sandpaper, yet all the options I discovered online were rather ordinary. Later, I came upon my friend Jeremy’s sandpaper storage method on Instagram. See how he repurposes galvanized containers from the store to hold his sanding discs! Brilliant! Unfortunately, those containers had sold out, so I had to think creatively about reproducing the concept. This is the solution I created, and I’m incredibly pleased with the way this DIY sandpaper organizer came together!
DIY Simple Workbench
I recently relocated to the #WoodhouseWorkshop and have been deciding where everything belongs. I soon discovered that even though I havemy main workbenchandthe workbench that houses my X-carve, I still wanted a compact, uncomplicated workbench that I could move wherever I happened to be working in the shop. This was a quick, enjoyable, cost-free family project – my children helped construct the workbench in only a few hours, and I recorded our entire building experienceon my Instagram stories (“workbench” highlights).
DIY Parallel Clamp Rack
Continuing with the workshop organization theme, I made this parallel clamp rack using a design I discovered at Woodcraft. You can access the original plan here.My friendsJohnny BrookeandJay Bates have also constructed comparable clamp racks, and I found their examples extremely helpful while creating my own.
Hold on… there’s still more! Take a look at what my fellow creators built! Also, remember to follow the #BuildAtHome hashtag – we’ll keep highlighting some of our preferred scrap wood projects across our social media platforms.
Thanks for taking part in the excitement; let’s continue this positive momentum! Keep creating, posting, and tagging me @jenwoodhouse so I can admire your projects! Sending you lots of affection—please stay safe.