To learn woodworking, this is your option if you need a new shelve but you would rather build it yourself. It will be more economical and you can work on your woodworking skill. You have a small space at your background which you can setup as your shop. You have a lot of time at your hand and you can give woodworking a try and if things get better you can even turn it into a full-blown business. Going back to school must be at your top list, it does not need to be a regular school. You can just take workshop lessons; you can even find free lessons at your vicinity. If you know someone who is into woodworking you can ask for his help, ask him to teach you what he knows about woodworking. He doesn’t need to be an expert; an introduction to the craft and some basic tool handling could be a good start. Ask your friends for referral and they might lead you into a craft store willing to take you in as apprentice. This could be the shot you are looking for.
Scour yard sale for old books or magazines about woodworking, you can get them a lot cheaper in here. You can also check public libraries for reading materials, they have a lot and they are free. Libraries could be your best bet for woodworking references. You can also hit the internet for more vast resources. There are a lot of sites meant for seasoned or beginner woodworkers. You can look for forums or discussion groups you can read and join in. They also offer great step by step tutorials on woodworking, from the basics to the most extensive lessons like carving. You can even throw in some questions if you will need assistance on your future projects, they will be glad to share what they learned. You can even ask them what are the best materials you can use, where you can get suppliers and other things beginners cannot answer. They can be your support group and mentors. Pick into their brains and learn from their experience. Another thing to consider is getting your first set of tools must include tape measures, saws, chisels, plane and some clamps.
You can also throw in some drill, screws and glues. For a basic set of tools, you might have to spend at least $100 to $300. But you can check out eBay, yard sale or flea markets for these tools if you really have none at your house. You can save a lot and you can use the money to invest in good materials for your projects. You can also check construction sites for leftover lumbers or plywood or just look around your neighbours if they have logs they can give or sell to you. You can also visit your local craft store to gain inspiration and they might lead you to their material suppliers. You have a lot of options around you, just be resourceful and have fun on your work.
Related Sites & Articles:
http://www.familywoodworking.org/
http://www.woodworkerslibrary.com/
http://www.patwarner.com/