Today is my son-in-laws birthday. He wanted to go to the Halls on the River restaurant for his birthday celebration. It is a local restaurant that is well known for good seafood. It is a habit that I am always looking for ideas that I can turn into a scroll saw pattern. I found one at Halls.
They have several printed signs on the walls and one had the saying in this pattern. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day". Of course, this is a play on the famous saying you have likely heard your whole life. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
The original saying is more philosophical but the edited saying feels truer. :)
I monitor download statistics for all my patterns. I try to keep track of the types of patterns and subjects that are popular. Signs like this one will not get as many downloads as some other types of patterns. This pattern will likely have less than 3,000 downloads after a week or two.
I will always have a few people who write me and say "This pattern is exactly what I was looking for." I try to keep the types of patterns I post varied so everyone can find something they like. I will also get email that says "Why on earth would you post a pattern that dumb?". That's okay also.
Because I post a new free pattern almost daily I think I can occasionally post a pattern that is not going to be as popular as others. I can make a pattern for underwater basket weaving and not have to worry if it will sell.
I am not trying to make excuses for bad patterns. I am trying to say that even a pattern that may be of no use for you will have many people who are thrilled to have it. The good news is that I will do another pattern tomorrow that you may like.
Midwest Scroll Saw & Woodworking Trade Show:
The Midwest Scroll Saw & Woodworking Trade Show is just around the corner. August 2nd from 9am to 5pm and August 3rd from 9am to 3:30pm. The show will once again be held at the Dubuque County fairgrounds in Dubuque IA. If you can attend this show you will have a great time.
I missed the show last year and unfortunately will miss it again this year. My wife is having surgery and won't be able to travel in time for this show. I hope everyone who can attend has a great time.
Stephen from Bear Woods asked me to pass along some exciting information about the show. Bear Woods will have a booth again this year. Grobet/Pegas will also be manning a booth. They will be