Don't you sometimes feel that your hands just beg at you to leave that computer and that desk for a moment and go to make something with them? That's precisely what attracts many people to do-it-yourself projects.
The human is born to create - and although many of us create a lot of great things using the keyboard, nothing can be compared to making a "real world" thing yourself, with your own hands.
One of the most appropriate materials for doing projects yourself is wood.
It's affordable, relatively easy to use, friendly to the environment and long lasting.
If you are an enthusiast or even just a beginner, here are seven great ideas for woodworking projects that you can do yourself and be proud of the result.
A stool Building a wooden stool is probably the simplest project you can do.
If this will be your first woodworking project, it's great idea to start with making a stool.
There are all kind of stools, but a very simple one can consist of just three boards - one for sitting and two for "legs".
For more stability one perpendicular lath can be added between the legs.
You can also build a stool that has four legs, but that's a bit more complicated.
A bench The benches are pretty simple too, depending on the design of course.
I consider them slightly more complex woodworking projects than the stools because they are longer and more than one body can sit on them.
A simple bench can be made by six pieces - one long and wide plank for sitting on it (can be a compilation of several boards if you don't have a wide enough one); three vertical planks for legs - one on each side and one in the middle; and two horizontal ones that will connect the legs and ensure more stability.
Of course I would recommend you downloading a bench plan with somehow better design than what I described.
A table The projects are getting slightly more complicated, but not much.
The first three projects has a lot in common, because they consists of a plank and several legs.
One of the reasons tables are slightly more complex is that they need longer legs - which requires the legs to have some additional support if you want a stable table.
Tables also can be rounded, folding or have all king of extravagant designs - there is more room for experimentation and creative work here.
A toy There's nothing better for your kids than a wooden toy.
The warmth, nature feeling and simplicity of the wooden toys can't be replaced by today's plastic or remote controlled toys.
Making a wooden toy can be very simple or quite complex depending on the toy, the number of details and level of preciseness it requires.
One great idea for a woodworking project is to make a wooden horse riding toy.
When making toys, special attention should be paid to finishing works as you don't want the child to cut itself on some chop.
A swing set We are moving onto a more complex project.
Building even a simple outdoor swing set requires connecting many parts, some basic level of engineering and a good amount of work.
Of course you can pick a simple swing plan to start with - just one long transom attached to a low tower on the middle.
Such a swing, often called a "saw swing" can be used only by two kids at the same time.
An outdoor shed If you are ready for a more serious project, you can consider building an outdoor wooden shed.
The sheds consist of large parts like walls, door and roof and include not only woodworking - you may need to use concrete or gravel for the foundations, to learn how to dig holes, how to install lagging and so on.
Building an outdoor shed is not a project for absolute beginners - you need intermediate experience.
So if you are looking for a first DIY project, start with tables or benches.
A tree house Here's one even more exciting but fairly involved project.
A tree house is a great gift for your kids and not only for them.
But it really requires a very serious planning and good quality of materials and work.
If your treehouse is unstable, your kids can be impaired in case the house get broken and fall down.
Making a tree house combines woodworking, engineering, landscaping and even gardening knowledge.
Remember: don't start an intermediate or advanced project before you've done something simple.
Even a stool can be exciting if you like the design and love to work with wood.