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    Home Β» Uncategorized Β» Woodshop Diaries First Year as a Real Blog–2016 Year Review

    Woodshop Diaries First Year as a Real Blog–2016 Year Review

    December 29, 2016 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    Before I tell you all about 2016, let me take you back to 2013 real quick.Β  You’ll understand why in a few more paragraphs.

    .

    So, cue the cheesy music and swirly special effects to take you back those three years and picture this.Β  It’s summer…blazing hot.Β  I’m in a tiny garage in a nice subdivision (with the garage door open by the way) on my hands and knees crying because I just broke the glass I had been painting (for DAYS)Β in an old window.Β  Classy, I know.Β  It was myΒ FIRST EVER DIYΒ project and it was NOT going as planned.

    .

    So cue the cheesy music and swirly special effects again…now we are back in 2016 (thank goodness!) and oh how far we have come in just three years.Β  (FYI I do still throw a temper tantrum shed a tear or two over a project occasionally…but IΒ do close the door now.)

    .

    Why did I tell you all that?Β  Because that’s my beginning.Β  This whole DIY journey started with a little chalkboard window that tested my patience just three years ago.Β  I have grown/learned/changed a lot since then. Β But in the last three years, I have grown the most–personally, blogger-ly (totally not a word), and woodworking-ly (totally not a word either)–in 2016.Β  So what happened this year?

    .

    I started a blog

    .

    Okay, so TECHNICALLY I had a blog before 2016.Β  A SMALL handful of you may remember me as Chasing a Dream Blog–which was started in 2014 and was really really awful.Β  DO NOT GO BACK AND READ MY EARLY STUFF.Β  I need to keep some of my dignity.

    .

    But in June of this year, I took the leap, changed my blog name, and decided to pursue growth.Β  Because ultimately, I’d like this to be full time.Β  Since June, my blog has over doubled it’s all time page views, has ten times as many subscribers, and quadrupled it’s social media following.Β  So, why did it grow so much just this year?Β  I honestly don’t know.Β  But these things could have something to do with it:

    .

    I built more uniqueΒ things to share

    .

    I can attribute some of the growth to better content.Β  This year alone, I posted over 25 “building” projects (but I built far more pieces than I posted, I can assure you), and three remodel projects.Β  I still don’t really know how that happened.Β  When I went back and counted, I had to recount several times to make sure haha.Β  This was definitely the year of building.Β  And these were some of myΒ most popularΒ builds from this yearΒ πŸ™‚

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    Coffee Cabinet

    Mid Century Dresser

    Built in Benches

    And these were the three remodels:

    The Office

    The Master Bathroom

    The Master Bedroom

    I took way better photos

    .

    Have you guys gone back (after I specifically asked you not to) and looked at any of my first couple posts?Β  Did you notice the horrible photos?Β  I know things aren’t awesome now, but you can clearly see a big improvement, right?Β  RIGHT? Β If you can’t, just lie to me and say you can.

    .

    I have DRASTICALLY improved my photography this year with a new camera (not that I have any idea how to use it yet).Β  However, my selfie game is still slacking.Β  And yes, of courseΒ I purchased an expensive camera to take selfies…Β  #priorities

    No, but really, these are the only selfies in my camera….promise.

    I tried new things

    Like sewing.Β  That was weird, huh?Β  You’re going along like power tools, prybar, new flooring, more power tools…then all of a sudden it’s like…..sequins???Β  Funny story, though…after I pinned this on Pinterest like five times (I’m a persistent pinner), it just took off and got 1.4K pins in like two days.Β  Guess sometimes you just need some shiny sequins in your blog posts?Β  I’ll try that again in 2017…stay tuned.

    Grinch Pillow

    Check out this awesome Grinch Pillow--a Pottery Barn Knock Off!

    And some simple decorating projects.

    Christmas Swags

    Super Easy 5 Minute Christmas Swags

    And I tried my hand at Facebook Live.Β  Let’s just not talk about that, okay?Β  Let’s just pretend that never happened.

    So now what?Β  What’s coming for 2017?

    .

    Honestly, I have no idea.Β  I have hopes for continued growth and new opportunities.Β  I have hopes that this will be the year that Woodshop Diaries becomes a full time gig.Β  (Although my parents do NOT understand how that’s a thing.) Β I have hopes that this next year I will build even more, and have even more fun ideas to share.Β  I also haveΒ hopes to start a YouTube channelΒ and get moreΒ thumbs up than thumbs down haha. Β I just honestly have no idea where 2017 will take me.

    .

    All I know is that a lot of good things have happened in 2016 with this blog.Β  And I’m worn out from all the building and blogging. (Did you guys notice it’s been almost a month since the last post?Β  Totally didn’t mean for that to happen!Β  But I was WORN OUT.)

    2016 Year in Review--My first REAL year of blogging

    I just really hope you guys continue to follow along on the ride in 2017 and we can just see what happens togetherΒ πŸ™‚Β Β I’m just winging it, so you never know what mightΒ happen! Β Here’s to the new year!Β  Hope you guys have a great one!

    .

    I’ve got several projects to get started on in the new year so keep your eyes out!Β  Until next time, Happy DIYing!

    « DIY Grinch Pillow–A Pottery Barn Knock-Off
    DIY Wooden Lantern »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda

      January 02, 2017 at 9:51 pm

      Just in awe at the things you do! It’s really okay to just let things flow and follow where you are led to go. I’m sure that’s why your blog has been so successful. Some things you just do with your heart leading instead of planning, goal setting and sticking to business. Let creativity be your guide I say.

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        January 03, 2017 at 8:32 am

        Thank you so much! Yes, sometimes going without a “plan” is really the best way to go πŸ™‚ Thanks for following along and happy new year!!!

    2. Mrs Mike

      January 02, 2017 at 5:31 pm

      I love your blog and find it very inspiring! I hope you are able to make it your full time gig in 2017 πŸ™‚

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        January 03, 2017 at 8:28 am

        Thank you so much, friend!! Happy New Year!

    3. Tom Clarke

      December 30, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Shara, thanks for sharing your year in review and congrats on such a successful year. My only disappointment was that you didn’t include the “twisty table” in your list of favorites as it is mine. Looking forward to many more projects in 2017 and try not to take too much time off from woodworking – not good for the cardio.

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        December 30, 2016 at 3:52 pm

        Yes, the twisty table is always a favorite. But it was from 2015 πŸ™‚ It’s stayed pretty popular though! I won’t take too long off anymore…you are right about the cardio πŸ˜‰ Happy New Year!

    4. KathleenC

      December 29, 2016 at 8:36 pm

      That was a really nice summing up! And some pretty impressive projects. I can’t believe you made that mid century style dresser!!! I mean, I believe you of course, but wow!

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        December 30, 2016 at 1:42 pm

        Thank you! That dresser is my favorite! It was so much fun to build and I’m so proud of it because I really didn’t think it would turn out very well when I started on it. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!

    5. Kate

      December 29, 2016 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Shara, congrats on the awesome blog growth this year! And don’t worry about taking time off over the holidays – it’s the perfect time to burn out because the blogosphere is bombarded with endless Christmas crafts and home tours. I can’t wait to see what you have planned in 2017 – hopefully some easy woodwork projects I can try ? Here’s to another awesome year!

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        December 30, 2016 at 1:44 pm

        Thank you so much, Kate!! I have tons of easy woodworking projects already on my list for 2017 πŸ™‚ Hopefully some of them will interest you! I’m pretty excited about them. Thanks so much for following along!!

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