The Making of a Rocket

My husband, Paul and daughter, Alicia have been building rockets together since she was in 5th or 6th grade. They started with level one simple rockets and have progressed to the rocket assembly below which is a level four rocket.

Due to its size and weight this rocket will require them to locate a larger field/area and may even require them to coordinate with or notify the FAA prior to launching this rocket.

Alicia's goal is to build a large scale Saturn V rocket before she graduates from High School in 2012.

Following are a series of photos from the level four rocket. The worked on it on and off over several months.

1.) Inner engine tube assembly with supports










2.) Engine mount with fin supports installed







3.) Alicia glues the engine hook.








4.) Various parts of the rocket. Sanded, smoothed and gaps filled. Alicia used autobody bondo to make sure the body was perfectly smooth.








5.) Lower tube assembly with engine mounts installed.







6.) Alicia wears a mask while sanding and shaping the fins.







7.) Alicia brushes sanding sealer on the wooden fins.










8.) Alicia cutting out a template to help align the fins.







9.) Finished fin alignment template.











10.) Completed fins shaped and sanded. Note the larger fins were made of multiple pieces that needed to be glued and shaped prior to assembly.




11.) Upper and lower body tubes attached.











12.) Front view of the rocket with all fins attached.







13.) Another view of rocket with all fins attached.










14.) Rear view of rocket.








15.) Completed rocket ready for paint - in box to protect from overspray.











16.) Completed rocket with paint and decals.

Think Handmade - Buying for the Reader/Writer

Do you have a book lover on your list this year? Or maybe someone who loves to write? You could buy a gift card at a book store - again! Or you could think handmade! Take a look at just a few of the great ideas that are unique instead of ordinary.

Click here to sell all of my Think Handmade gift guides. Most feature Unique Women in Business (UWIB) artists and craftswomen. Click the link to the right to learn more about this great group.

Book Lover Soldered Pendant "Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier." (Kathleen Norris) by Cobweb Corner






BLUE JAPANESE STAB BOUND JOURNAL
The dyed, decorated non woven material that is used to cover the front and back covers as well as the insides, is so beautiful and truly unique. A one of a kind. Use it as a scrapbook album, a visitors book, a (travel) journal, a sketchbook. by SewDanish

Modern Blue Green and Gray Architectural Lines Stationary This boxed set is perfect for the contemporary loved one in your life. Each flat note card is adorned with hand-drawn chartreuse, baby blue, and light gray lines. "Hello" is written in a light gray architectural font. by DawnCorrespondence

Are You Blessed Bookmark Giving a gift to someone who loves to read? Add a handmade bookmark to complete the package. This one is black denim with a black and white vine print on the back. by DestinationHandmade



Mighty Oak Bookmark This bookmark is geared for the man in your life. It is a more substantial metal bookmark with ornate engraving. Black glass beads and a metal acorn bead ending with a metal leaf charm complete your gift.
by MommaGoddess


LEARN Glass pendant
Does it get any cuter? by CandyGlass

Think Handmade - Buying for the older Teen (Punkish)

One customer challenged me to come up with ideas for teens aged 14-19 - with a little touch of punk. What a fun challenge. See what I came up with below. Click here to view all of my Think Handmade gift guides.


Pretty Pink Punk Glass Tile Pendant
About 1" square with a touch of pink and a touch of black. by Beegrl88







Autumn tones high-end crochet poncho
with FREE fingerless gloves. High-end crochet work...
Unique , stylish , noble... And COOL!! by Ayca











Personalized Ipod or Phone Cozy with Sugar Skull Applique
Ipod or Phone Cozy Personalized! Specify name and skull color.
Quad layer construction with light padding/interfacing. Velcro closure, hand cut and embroidered skull. Lined in coordinating cotton. by DestinationHandmade

Deadsy Skull Earrings Made with black resin roses, white brass filigree stampings, and little Czech glass skull beads. This assemblage dangles from shiny white brass kidneywire. by PolishedTwo



Guitar Pick Wallet
Keep your stuff in this funky and fun wallet. Different types of guitar picks are scattered around on this black Michael Miller "Hot Picks" fabric. There is also black vinyl covered paper on the inside. by Japip


The Twisted Colors Midgie Scarf get ready, girls! its time to take high fashion to a whole new level, time to recreate the definition of fierce. forget following trends, today is your day to start one. by MissIndie


You're a Rockstar Note Cards This boxed set is perfect for the teenage girl in your life who thinks she is a Rockstar! Each flat note card is adorned with a black scroll and yellow stars. Set includes 12 flat cards with 12 yellow envelopes. by DawnCorrespondence

Bramble - Oxidized Fused Sterling Silver Ring
Made to Order. Unisex. Tangled. Organic. Free-spirited. This ring was free-formed and fused from sterling silver wire, then darkly oxidized, lightly sanded to bring up some highlights and tumble polished to deep shine. by WabiBrookStudio

Steampunk Swirl Domino Necklace
This domino is painted golden yellow, sunset orange and a touch of red. Black artwork consisting of swirls is then applied and finished off with watch parts, crystals and beads. by MommaGoddess

White Chocolate Mocha - Delicious Soap Looks so yummy and good enough to eat, but no please :) just pamper yourself with the luscious lather of this delicious soap bar and the irresistible aroma of rich chocolate paired with freshly brewed espresso, with notes of Turkish Mocha Coffee, creamy top notes of milk, cardamom, cocoa and a touch of nutmeg. by SoapyPleasure

Old West Buffalo Skull Design ACEO Trading Card
Buffalo Skull in sketch style paired with Colorado Columbine wildflowers...a bit of Georgia O'Keefe influence. by KirstenSteinFineArt












SIMPLY FUN Bangle Trio
9 color choices. Mix and Match for a great gift. by DesignKnitFun






Fragrance for Guys
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON and KEEP CALM AND SPRAY ON Cologne TWO Mens Fragrances by ThemeFragrance






Black Elegance Lace Crocheted Cuff/Bracelet
Black cotton thread and real jem stone bead (Black nephrite) as a clasp. by FashionTouch






Girlie Skull Ring Skull measures 1" tall and comes on an adjustable silver metal ring blanc so fits small to medium ring sizes. Skull was handmade using polymer clay and has been finished off with a protective coating for long wear and durability. by PinkFink

Think Handmade - Buying for Kids 6 and Under

This guide will show you some handmade options for kids age 6 and under. Have fun - and Think Handmade this Christmas. Click here to view a listing of all of my Think Handmade gift guides.

Starfish Bathtime Scrubbies
Splish splash I was taking a bath! Have some fun with these cute starfish bathtime scrubbies! Made of 100% cotton. Make bathtime more enjoyable for everyone by adding some creativity to cleansing! by BeeGrl88

Rainy Day Activity Book

There are a variety of activities included within the 16-page book – plenty of things to keep children busy on rainy days, in the car, when they are sick, or just want to have some quiet time. by HarvestMoonbyHand


Bead Soup for the starting Stringer
(not intended for very small children)
This listing is for a scoop of "Blueberry Gazpacho" soup, with lots of turquoise blue variations in the bead mix. Each serving of bead soup is 11 ounces and is scooped right from the bowl shown. by craftattic


Fleece Puppy Dog This super sweet fleece puppy dog is a must for that special child in your life! by RitasCreationsonEtsy





Fish Aquarium Kid Kit Help your child create a beautiful underwater scene complete with fish, sand, shells, and seaweed! This craft is neat because it incorporates lots of child-crafting techniques: painting, gluing, cutting, and arranging. The end result is bright and colorful and so darn cute! by SmartBottomKids


Sidekick Robin Wallet
Pages have been recycled from Robin comic books to make this fun wallet. Keep your stuff in this funky and fun wallet. Different scenes from the comic book are scattered about, then covered in vinyl and sewn together. It has a velcro closure. by Japip

Educational Game Beginning Sounds
Learning is easy when it's hands on fun! Promotes letter recognition and beginning literacy. Each is printed, laminated and cut to fit my flipboards. Great gift for children, or for teachers and child care providers. by TootsieBear


Merry Christmas Baby Photo Prop Hat
Right in time for some Christmas Card Pictures. This hat is so soft and will make you newborn smile for every picture you’ll take. Planning to do a Family Photo Shoot? Then get some for the whole family! I can make them in any size you will need. Have some fun and make this year pictures unforgettable! by FashionTouch

As you can see there are many handmade options for the smaller children on your list. This is just a fraction of what you can find. Please comment below and please share this gift guide. To see all of the handmade gift guides I've created so far - click here.

Customer Spotlight #11: Dot Johnson, Ocala, Florida

Think Handmade - Buying for Men

Part two in my When you think Christmas Think Handmade series. Click here to view a listing of all of my Think Handmade gift guides.

Tracy writes that she has a hard time buying for her 80+ year old Grandfather. I say men in general can be hard to buy for. Ties, shirts, underwear - there has to be something better.

Here are some ideas that may help. This year - Think Handmade for the men on your list:


Faux Tooled Leather Singlet Card Case
Holds about 20 business cards, or other credit card sized items. Slip it into your pocket, backpack, wherever you need it. Makes a great gift card presenter. Super sturdy with quad layers and double stitching at the stress points. By DesitinationHandmade


Spencer Glacier Calendar (Alaska), 8x10 Single Page Calendar

This single page calendar is both beautiful and functional. Image is on one half of the sheet along with a 12-month, 2010 calendar on the other half. by PaulsPics





Primitive - Upcycled Vintage Copper Wire Cuff Unisex Bracelet This simple copper cuff is hand-forged from heavy vintage wire using simple tools - a hammer and fire - much as it would have been long ago in another age. by WabiBrookStudio




Superstar Cuff - Unisex
Whether you're more of a rock star or prefer to go country western, this cuff is fit for celebrity style. It is a western-inspired black leather cuff adorned with a large star-shaped turquoise magnesite stone that is wired onto the wristband. by PolishedTwo


Dark Stout Soap
These soaps are make with 100% Guinness in the water phase and a wonderfully conditioning blend of oils, as well as essential oils of Patchouli, Sweet Orange, and Cedarwood. by AquarianBath



Set of 4 Blue Plaids and Stripes Coasters

Don't you DARE put that drink on the table without using a coaster, were you born in a barn?!? You best employ the help of these fun coasters to class things up a bit!





Fine Art Notebook
The small notebook has two pockets, a business card pocket and paper. 8 1/2 x 6"

Each Fine Art Notebook is handmade and made to order with a 2 -3 week delivery time. Larger quantities or larger sizes available. by RobinMariaPedrero

Custom Engraved Buck Canoe Folding Pocket Knife
This folder is a perfect one-of-a-kind gift for the holidays. Unique to its owner, it will be a favorite memento of you for a lifetime. by DJReigel




Hello Sunshine Framed Modern Abstract Landscape Ceramic Tile by

kristensteinfineart








This is just a tiny sampling of what you can find for men on Etsy.com . Just search FOR MEN and you'll see what I mean.

Who is your 'toughest to buy for' person? Leave a comment and challenge me to find a handmade gift suitable for them.

Click here to read part 1 of my series