Creation on the Down-Low

Thwarting HOAs and disgruntled neighbors in our pursuit of finding peace.

Jul 15, 2024

For many people, the word “craft” brings to mind grandmas selling doilies, wreaths and crochet what-nots on the sidewalk in front of Publix to help their grandkids go to space camp. While this activity is perfectly noble and righteous, it does not begin to convey the full spectrum that crafting encompasses. I prefer the word “creation”.

creation noun
/kriˈeɪʃn/ - the act or process of making something that is new, or of causing something to exist that did not exist before ~ The Oxford Dictionary

The Need to Create

Anything that you can imagine and bring forth to share with the world is creation. Even if it has been done before, in some way by someone else, doing it your way with your talents and methodology makes it yours.

Whether it is writing music, blogging, clockmaking, painting pet portraits, or carving my chopsticks, bringing something new into the universe satisfies the demanding creative gods within us.

The need to create is in our personality makeups. It brings us peace. Personally, I cannot foresee any living situation that could prevent me from “making”. Working in an office cubicle or factory job would only exacerbate the need, just to stay sane and find balance with my right-brain. If I were disabled in some respect, I would figure out ways that would allow me to make stuff.

The problem these days seems to be that more and more of us are living in situations where creation is stifled by homeowners associations, roommates, code enforcement or lack of space. How can we thwart these, get our creationism on and earn some income doing what we enjoy?

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Location…Location…Location!

In previous blogs, I have mentioned that we have an old Florida frame house. It turned 100 last year and we bought it a new front door to celebrate. We didn’t even have to get permission or a permit. But then, we are HOA (HomeOwner’s Association) free.

I have never lived in a big city, with neighbors to my right and left, above and below. So, I can only speculate as to how I would circumvent restrictions placed by homeowner/resident “associations” that leave little room for the creative process. I think an entire blog, dedicated to this subject, would be interesting, warranted and successful.

An apartment, condo, mobile home or other controlled communities would present a number of challenges for the creator in you.

Space - Scaling your work to fit your circumstances is essential. Having a dedicated area for your creating might be the greatest problem to overcome. Limitations on the size of your creations and workbenches would be necessary. A spare bedroom would be ideal, but for many smaller creations I can imagine a walk-in closet being transformed, with adequate lighting, fold down tables and tools held in clever spaces. Electricity might pose a problem as no outlets are usually available in closets.
Noise - You can do your research to find quiet tools. Hand tools are almost always quietest. An average household vacuum cleaner runs at a noise level of about 70-75 db. So, shoot to keep the levels below that. Db ratings are usually available by contacting the manufacturer or searching online. My shop vacuum is the loudest tool in my shop and gets the most run time, battling the dust I make. I had a Fein shop vac that ran about 67db, but it was expensive and only lasted about 4 years with my hard use, so I now use a cheaper (and louder) one. Remember that higher pitch noises travel further than low pitch and are more irritating and damaging to your ears and neighbor’s attitudes. Consider the hours you use your noisy equipment and be aware (if possible) of your neighbor’s work schedules. Communication skills are invaluable to a reasonable coexistence. You can also negate noise with sound thick carpet and acoustical wall dampening panels.
Dust - It is literally everywhere! It comes from outer space. It comes from our skins as dead, dry flakes. It comes from the busy highway out front. In Florida, every summer we get Saharan dust, all the way from Africa. Making more dust is inherent in woodworking, but may not be an issue with your chosen craft.
Vibration - Like the dreaded dental drill as you sit in the waiting room, take into account the vibration your tools create. Newer building construction tends to be lightweight and not able to absorb the vibration of a rotary carver. It can be just as irritating to neighbors as loud noise. Research how to isolate the tool from walls, windows and floors.
Shipping and Receiving - If you plan on earning income with your creations, you will need a reliable means to send stuff out and receive supplies. In our post-pandemic world, deliveries of all kinds are much more acceptable. However, if you are in a community with small mailboxes or troublesome security gates, you might have to seek out other methods of shipping and receiving such as renting from a nearby mailbox store or making regular trips to the post office. As a bonus, having a P.O. Box address doubles as an extra layer of security from people you don’t know having your residential address.
Secrecy - While you want to display your works to the world online, it may behoove you to keep a low profile locally. To keep the HOA, Gladys Kravitz wannabes and code enforcement at bay, you might want to keep your business to yourself. Avoid having customers visit your home on a regular basis. With rumor mongers, it may be construed as business that is not totally “legal” (wink, wink, nod, nod).
Timing - Take note of your neighbor’s work schedules and be considerate of them. Avoiding a complaint to begin with is the best way to avoid problems in running your at-home business. Even though we have no restrictions, I do not run any machinery before 8:00am or after 8:00pm.
Fumes - Ventilation has to be considered, especially if you are using fumy glues or paints. This is especially true in apartments or condos where your neighbors may not enjoy the smell of lacquer as much as you do. There are many alternative, non-toxic finishes and glue that you might be able to substitute.

There are also cost-effective mini-warehouses that may be available to you that include electricity and allow hobbies and light manufacturing. They are usually already zoned for this type of business. I had my sign shop in one for 3 years, with an airconditioned office and work bay. Customers visited at will.

Maker Spaces

As an alternative to working from home, consider maker spaces. They are wonderful places that are gaining in popularity in urban areas, usually set up in defunct warehouses, old grocery store locations and decrepit industrial buildings. For a fee, they rent you space for a set amount of time to create at will.

They are often connected to local schools and/or businesses. Google “Maker space” with your zip code. If you have access to one of these, it is well worth checking into. They may offer a variety of communal tools, mentorships and have a vibrant membership of creators to share ideas, techniques and cups of joe.

It is my hope that this idea catches on and they start spreading to suburbia.