How May I Help You?

Asking for direction in my blogging, style and options.

Nov 13, 2024

Temp: Currently 74 degrees. High of 84 today 😎
Humidity: 3 on the “Soup” scale. (1=light broth, 5=thick chowder)
Today’s Playlist: David Gilmore’s new album, and other Floydish tunes.
Conditions: Lotsa Sunshine!
Estimated Travel Time: 16 seconds
Food: Oatmeal with Craisins. Homemade chicken soup for supper (day 2).
Coffee Level: 1/8 Tank

On the Workbench…

The holiday order rush has been slow to start, but seems to have finally arrived. The election is over and we have not dissolved, yet. Hopefully, the 2028 race will not bring another four year campaign. Six months seems sufficient.

My workbench is alive with wooden name keychains and chopsticks. Family and friends have been informed that we are cloistered in our work for the next 5 weeks.

*Chopsticks, Keychains and MiniTags ready for shaping.*

Since most of our products are custom made, carved by hand, the clock starts when the order arrives to our inbox. Each order is completed in the order it is received. To keep quality high and expectations satisfied, I can only complete 10 - 12 orders per day. So, my turnaround goes quickly from 2-3 days to 2 weeks. Ordering early is best, to ensure arrival by Christmas. For the past 4 years, I have had to stop taking orders around December 1st, to get them done and shipped for Santa (and the USPS) to deliver in time.

On the homefront, the last of the storm debris was picked up yesterday. The collectors did a fine job of not digging up our precious topsoil with their machinations. I will begin our regular pile of yard waste (an ongoing battle) as time permits.

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How May I Help You?

In seven weeks this blog will turn one year old. I enjoy sharing things that I have learned and helping those in their struggle to be self-supportive. Working from home, for yourself, can be very satisfying.

I have proven to myself that I can maintain my writing in tandem with my business and home lives, but I sometimes struggle with what YOU want to hear. Therefore, I am asking for help.

Food for Thought

I do some of my best thinking while my hands are busy carving and sanding.

The normal holiday rush requires 10 to 12 hours per day of carving and sanding name chopsticks and keychains. This opportunity gives my left-brain time to work out problems and new ideas while my digits dodge the sharp blades and spinning abrasives. After doing it (on and off) for 42+ years, the phalanges know.

So, I need things to ponder while I work. Most of my more acceptable products have been inspired and evolved by customer requests or suggestions. This blog should be no different. For 2025, I wish to ask my readers what they are looking for when they click onto this blog.

What directions would you like to see? Email me at scott@dustynewt.com or drop a comment below.

Videos? - I may be able to post live (or nearly live) videos of names being born (carved). Because my free-hand letterstyle has developed over 42+ years and my method of shaping chopsticks is unique, I am fairly protective over these processes and cannot just give them away. But I may be talked into offering tutorials for “paid” subscribers.
More info about the woods or tools I use? I regularly use 20+ different species.
Home life of two work-at-homers. Cooking, lawn work, entertainment, repairs, etc.
Stories of our travels when we did shows.
How (and what) we shop for to maintain our lifestyle.
“Chat” availability?
Live streaming
Suggestions…?

Remember, I am a late-boomer and on the slow slide of the learning curve, as far as technology goes. But I am willing to learn, if it does not require too much time. I am always happiest making dust in the workshop.