It’s true. I’ve decided to actively join the conversation.
When I was at Woodworking in America last year I met so many amazing folks. I was really surprised how many of them had blogs. You know the characters! Some I knew and already followed and some it was my 1st introduction. I must admit, when I discovered how many had blogs, I thought: “Wow! What can you possibly be blogging about? You seem like a novice woodworker, with just a little more time put in than me! What could you teach me? You’re not Marc Spagnuolo!
Well, a year later I have to eat my words. I spend countless hours reading these blogs. The woodworking blogosphere isn’t necessarily about teaching, it’s a true community where some very generous folks share their ideas and projects for all of the world to see. I am a weekend warrior in the true sense of the word. We split our time between the city and the country. Every weekend we drive north to our house, where I try to squeeze in shop time amongst other projects and family activities. During the week I am 140 miles from my shop, so the blogs really keep my passion for woodworking alive during the week.
We all love our “shop time”, but let’s face it, we are usually out in the garage or down in basement working (& often struggling) by ourselves. The blogosphere has changed all that. I often take breaks from my shop time check in with what everyone else is up to. It’s nice to know that even though I’ve chosen a solitude hobby, I’m not alone! Woodworking is seeing a resurgence and there are a lot of enthusiastic participants out there.
So rather than be a passive reader, I’ve decided to be an active participant and join the blogging community. Hopefully I can offer both intriguing content and a unique perspective, by not only sharing my own projects and experiences, but also exploring other woodworkers, designers and industry professionals. I hope to include interviews with various craftsman/women, galleries and articles that I find inspirational and my thoughts in general on design and woodworking.
Hopefully I can give back to the blogging community, as much as it’s given to me.
Chris
The Lighthearted Woodworker 
Welcome to the community, Chris.
Welcome, indeed. The more the merrier
Welcome to the sphere! The camaraderie and joy of sharing are one of its great features. There’s also tremendous creative energy as everyone adapts each other’s ideas and experiences to their own work. There are plenty of times when I see something online and run down to the basement to try it out. Then I can run back up and throw my two cents into the party! The feedback loop is fast.
Welcome Chris you are off to a great start. It is great to see so many new blogs started up just since WIA. If I can help you get started it will be to say that even the smallest thing can make a good blog. In fact it is those tiny little triumphs or problems solved that make the most interesting posts. I have often discarded an idea thinking that I was the dumb one and my “triumph” would have been obvious to anyone else. When I finally bite the bullet and write about it, the response is overwhelming with many as excited as I was about my stupid little fix or solution. So welcome and I look forward to reading what you have to say.
Thanks Shannon. That’s great advice.
Welcome, Chris! I’m thrilled to see so many woodworking blogs. They help generate the momentum and enthusiasm for our craft. Keeping the conversation going is what will bring new woodworkers into the fold.