Stuff I've been up to lately

My last post related to a current status of "being out of the media". I've been off the radar since before Christmas in the media business. I left LEX18 after 7+ years in August to go to work for a local Digital agency in town. We parted ways after a little over 100 days. So I've had some time to kill thanks to contractual obligations shall we say. Plus, I'm seriously entertaining staying out of the media world as a vocation in the next half of my life. I'm enjoying being Mr. Mom to Mayson (7) and Emma (6) and working on projects around the house. It's keeping me busy, the wife very happy and have found some skills that have surprised me. My Grandfather, Joe Metcalfe is a carpenter by trade, and has built everything I can think of. Even worked on construction of Cinderella's castle at Disney World. So as my Dad has indicated I may have inherited some of these genes. I am also going to get my Real Estate license this year as well. I love to help people, that's the part of the Media world I miss. Being a resource or partner with my clients and seeing their plans and business' become more successful. I have always enjoyed Houses. Their construction, design, old historic homes, new ones, architecture and so on. I may even want to build one myself one day. I wanted to share some of my projects on this post and will likely be adding an ETSY store in the near future. So if you see anything you like, or need a project completed let me know at 859-312-8069 or nealmetcalfe@gmail.com.

9'x9' Book case I custom built in 3' sections and assembled in my garage. Constructed of MDF, Beadboard backing and trimmed with 3" Crown and Base cap. Cost for custom build will depend on materials, finish, size and my availability. $15 per hour plus materials cost.

These are Wood Planter boxes. They are designed to place a plastic planter or liner in them. Spruce or Whitewood material and trimmed with 2.5" trim at the top and 1.5" on the bottom. I've made over a dozen of these in White and Black. The emblem is a stock birch wood emblem from Lowe's or Home Depot and can be customized. (1 emblem per box). 

-I can do a 12"x12" $45 each

or the pair pictured below are 16"x16" $55 each. 

Tufted Ottoman. 40"x36" wood frame and Fabric /upholstery/Tufting

done by my wife Christy. We can build if you provide the upholstery.

Starting at $195 and up depending on extra materials needed and feet desired. 

Workbenches for my shop. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted so I made some simple tables for the space.. All made from Oak plywood (finished the tops with Mission stain), 1/2" plywood, 1"x3" boards, and 2"x4"'s and added a drawer & casters for easy moving. I also made them to suit my height (6') (higher than counter height) for ease of use. 

A deck coffee table. Similar to teak slat type of table. The 36"x 24" table is made from reclaimed wood I found and finished with black enamel paint and sanded to look old. 

The Deck boxes are simple deck boards cut to size and screwed to the deck. They have plastic liners to hold the potting mix and flowers soon with holes drilled for draining.

Lots of new things going on in my life so far in 2012..Where to begin...I'm officially out of the media business for the first time since 1988. My last venture wasn't a good fit, and decided that I take some time to do some other things I've always wanted to do; spend more time with my kids, carpentry work (look for my work on ETSY, and Pinterest very soon) and obtaining my real estate license soon. We have officially adopted Emma. She is a 6 year old that has been with us since December of 2009. We are very blessed to be her forever family. Mayson loves being a big sister and being the only one allowed to pick on her!! I'm officially getting paid back in spades and my Mom and Dad just chuckle at all the stories I pass along. I never knew 2 girls could be so messy and downright gross. Christy and I are going on our first mission trip together to visit Bolivia via our church; Crossroads Christian Church this month. We sponsor two kids there (since last year)  through Compassion International and will hopefully get to visit with them. Prayers go out to all of you and if you can't get your wife, husband or significant other to build your project contact me!