Author: Sam Jimenez
Sawdust, Ducks, and Discipline
Some days are about big wins.Some days are about small lessons. Today was one of those lesson days. Hercules got his swim in this morning…
Sawdust, Stories, Auctions, and Small Wins
Lately, life has been full of learning experiences, small victories, good people, loyal dogs, and a lot of sawdust. I’ve been spending more time learning…
April 19, 2023
On April 19, 2023, I met a German Shepherd in California and I named her Hercules. When Hercules and I saw each other, there was…
Progress Update: Repairing and Reinforcing the Children’s Dining Set
Today was one of those workshop days where problem-solving became just as important as sanding and refinishing. After continuing to strip away old paint and…
Bringing a Child’s Dining Set Back to Life
This week’s project was a small children’s dining set that had definitely seen years of love, use, and more than a few coats of paint.…
April Build Log: First Planters, A Trellis, and Finally—Success with Resin
April felt like a turning point in the shop. I started the month with a simple goal: build my first planter. What came out of…
Mistakes Happen …. Life doesn’t stop
Sam & Herc Journey Learning to Build — One Mistake at a Time Somewhere along this journey with Herc…I decided I didn’t just want to…
🐾 When Hercules Leads, Others Surprise Themselves
Today wasn’t about burning boards or sanding epoxy smooth. It was about courage. We were walking by the water when Hercules did what he always…
Fire, Resin, and Remembering
This birthday felt different. Not because of cake or candles. But because every year on this day, I think about my father. We shared the…
Sam & Herc Journey – Episode: “Burned Wood & New Beginnings”
Ever since September 2025…I’ve been trying to figure this epoxy thing out. Deep pour.Table pour.Seal coats.Food safe.Bubbles.Cure times. It felt like learning a new language.…