First and foremost, I’m sending a big, heartfelt THANK YOU to those working on the front lines of this pandemic: medical staff, grocery store employees, public servants, and other essential workers. One of our good friends is an anesthesiologist in the Army and he was given a 36-hour notice before he had to pack up and leave his sweet family in Georgia to help COVID-19 patients in New York City. I dusted off the only respirator I had in my shop and shipped it off to him this week, along with a hefty prayer for his safety. Please know that I am infinitely grateful for you and others who are doing all the heavy lifting during these unprecedented times. For the rest of us who are hunkering down, sheltering in place, doing our best to navigate through this uncertain and unsettling season, I hope you’re able to enjoy quality time with loved ones and are finding peace and joy in the midst of it all.
A few weeks ago, I was chatting with my friend Sam from DIY Huntress about the current challenges we’re facing as online content creators. Do we continue to share our DIY projects, even though it feels trivial and insignificant in light of what’s going on in the world right now? How can we serve you best, while still being mindful and sensitive to people’s struggles? More importantly, how can we all feel more connected when we’re literally, physically disconnected?
When I asked for your input via social media, I heard a resounding “YES!” from so many of you. YES – to keep sharing DIY content and inspiration, that it helps settle the uneasiness we’re all feeling by striving for some kind of normalcy and routine. You reassured me that these projects and our voices are a calming distraction from all the heaviness in the world today. And so this #BuildAtHome group collaboration was born.
The only stipulation for the #BuildAtHome challenge was that we had #stayhome and make something out of materials we had on-hand. And to make things even more fun, we invited you to join us in this challenge. And boy did you all show up! It was so exciting following the #BuildAtHome hashtag these past couple of weeks because we watched as you shared your processes, your projects, your creativity, and your lives. And I’ve never felt a deeper sense of community.
All that to say, I’m honored to have been a part of this challenge and my scrap wood pile is slowly dwindling to a somewhat manageable state. Who knew? Turns out, quarantine is great for productivity!
I made these five projects for the #BuildAtHome challenge:
Stay tuned… the tutorial for the planter stand is coming soon!
DIY Sanding Disc Storage
I searched high and low for sandpaper storage solutions, but everything I found online was pretty basic. Then, I stumbled across my friend Jeremy’s sandpaper storage solution on his Instagram account. Check out how he uses store-bought galvanized containers as his sanding disc storage! Genius! Sadly, these containers were out of stock, so I wracked my brain on how I could replicate the idea. This is what I came up with and I am soooo happy with how this DIY sandpaper organizer turned out!
Check out the tutorial here.
DIY Simple Workbench
I recently moved into the #WoodhouseWorkshop and am figuring out where to put everything. I quickly realized that although I have my main workbench and the workbench that holds my X-carve, I wanted a smaller, simple workbench that I could roll around to wherever I’m working in the shop. This project was a fast, fun, free family affair – my kids helped me build this workbench in just a few hours and I filmed our entire building adventure on my Instagram stories (“workbench” highlights).
Check out the tutorial here.
DIY Parallel Clamp Rack
Keeping in line with the workshop organization kick, I built this parallel clamp rack based on a design I found at Woodcraft. You can download the original design here. My friends Johnny Brooke and Jay Bates both have built similar clamp racks, which I found super useful to reference as I was building my own.
Check out the tutorial here.
But wait… there’s more! Check out what my fellow makers made! And be sure to follow the #BuildAtHome hashtag – we’ll continue to share some of our favorite scrap wood projects on our social media channels.
- DIY Huntress – Patterned Plywood Key Holder
- Eye in the Detail – DIY Storage Bins
- 3×3 Custom – Marble Solitaire Game
- Anika’s DIY Life – Toy Car Ramp
- Addicted 2 DIY – Bandsaw Box
- At Charlotte’s House – Colorful Wooden Cooler Box
- Ugly Duckling House – Carved Hexagon Planter Stand
- Cowdog Craftworks – Live Edge Dovetailed Japanese Toolbox
- Never Skip Brunch – DIY Quote Bookends
- Jaime Costiglio – Desk Topper Shelf
- Pneumatic Addict – Hall Mirror
- Lazy Guy DIY – Scrap Wood Toy Dinosaur
- Genealogist Woodworker – Plaid Desk Organizer
- Penalty Box Woodshop – Scrap Wood Project
- Walkers Woodworks – Toilet Paper Holder
- Ethan Abramson – Transforming Step Stool
Thanks for joining in the fun, let’s keep a good thing going! Keep building, sharing, and tagging me @jenwoodhouse so I can see your projects! Sending so much love to you, stay safe out there.
I never throw away usable scrap woods. The bad ones goes into the fire pit.
I like the finished projects especially the clamps hanger. I think I’ll build one. I also made a work bench in wheels complete with a Erwin clamp. I used a discarded janitors trolley I salvaged from the dump. And converted a round picnic table into a rotating workbench with miter saw, drill press, a vise and a router. Everything bought from yard sales at throw away prices. I would like to send you the images but I dont know how.
My next project is your playhouse bed soon as I have enough materials. I am 81 years old and your ardent fan.
I was feeling pretty good about my one little project and then you knock out 5!!! Wow! They’re all amazing. Well done! Thanks for letting us all be a part of it.
Your projects are so neat, clean and fit-for-purpose.
Many remind me of how my father worked. It seemed like he spent more time building storage and jigs and tools than on his actual projects, but that was only because he did spend that time and the projects could be made so quickly and so well. Preparation was king, even if that dowel hole jig would only be used for one project.
Thanks for sharing your ideas.
I love your projects, especially the sanding disc holder, I may just make one for my garage. I used my scrap wood over the weekend and made garden boxes, they turned out quite nicely.
Thank you for all the inspirational ideas, I love seeing them.
I loved seeing what everyone made, especially that toilet paper holder. It looks good and is so functional!
What happened to the yard dice and planter stand instruction we were going to receive ????
Hi Moira,
Thanks for asking! The yard dice tutorial is on my site (https://jenwoodhouse.com/diy-giant-yard-dice/) and the planter stand will be published next week! Stay tuned!
Hi jen I am interested and I need your Ideas Namibia
Nice work! It helps to start with simple projects because peoples are more likely to have a go and not be overwhelmed by it. I think this article is a very helpful source of info for the beginners. Thanks for sharing this with us.
This is really help us idea about this thanks sharing this article