G'day from a Complete Novice!

[Complete_Novice]

G'day everyone

I have to admit right from the start, I'm a complete novice at woodwork! I am a single working Mum of two, one of whom is severely disabled, and between them they have taken up all my time over the years. Now that I finally have more free time for myself, I would like to see if woodwork it's something I could actually do for myself. I really just want to be able to make things for myself (a planter box springs to mind!); do repairs or small renovation jobs around the house etc and yard.

I did do woodwork for a year when in high school (back when dinosaurs walked the earth - circa 1971!) ... but haven't done a thing since then ... plus, I don't remember a thing either, although I still have the obligatory wooden bowl and wooden tool box I managed to knock together back then!)

I started searching the internet to see if there are any female specific classes I could attend in or around the Newcastle NSW area, and stumbled upon this site.

For now I think I will probably just be a bit of a 'lurker' ...reading posts etc and finding my feet here and seeing what information I can glean for my particular needs.

Cheers, and thanks for accepting me into this 'group'!

[skot]

Welcome Complete_Novice...enjoy your lurking, there are many varied areas of woodworking in these forums and people are eager to give advice if you need it.

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum. We all have to start somewhere.

[Matador]

Welcome aboard Complete_Novice .
You get a lot of help in this forum if you need it .
Cheers Graham .

[Scott]

Enjoy the start of what will, I hope, be a great journey. Sound like you've deserved the time to yourself. Good luck.

-Scott.

[Complete_Novice]

Thanks all for the warm welcome ... this site is soooo interesting!!

After browsing some of the posts, I am so relieved to see that I am not the only woman who would much prefer to spend a whole day browsing at Bunnings, than 1 hour at DJ's or Meyers!!!!

[munruben]

Welcome aboard, yes, we have some female woodworkers on the forum and they do great work too. Nice to have you here.

[wheelinround]

Oh you are in luck Novice there is the Hunter Woodturners near by who might just be able to help. Now don't go all off the rails they d make boxes etc and other things.

Now if you get into woodturning you have 043turning near by at Raymond Terrace

or check out Claw Hammers site another local, his better half Tack Hammer is also a member here check the women woodies section of the forum.

[Complete_Novice]

Thank you so much for those links wheelinround, they are very much appreciated!

For now though, I kept searching the internet and finally found the type of course I was after at Hunter Community College. Even though it wasn't listed in their main menu of available courses, with a little investigative digging I finally found exactly the type of course I was after - their 'Prerequisites: None'! (suits my skills to a 'T'!)
Anyway, the course starts in early February and runs for 8 weeks. I have already enrolled, so hopefully that will give me enough basics to see if I want to continue, although I'm sure I will!

I had seen the Woodturners site, but assumed because of my complete lack of knowledge, they wouldn't be suitable for me. That will teach me not to assume anything, won't it?

Anyway, thanks again for all the warm welcomes and the advice already given ... I'm sure I will be here for a long time to come!

Cheers!