Darbin Orvar

Posted onAuthorNighthawk

 

Linn from Darbin Orvar is one of those creators and you tubers that just grows on you. She has such simple ideas that can inspire you with finished projects that look great to making her own wax mixes and chalk paint.

Her website can be found here: www.darbinorvar.com
Darbin Orvar You

Tube Channel: http://youtube.com/user/darbinorvar/

Interview

Intro

Hi, my name is Linn and I run the Darbin Orvar YouTube channel where I focus on woodworking, as well as experimenting, testing and just having fun in my shop. I love woodworking, and one of my goals is to connect with the larger online community and let them know how awesome it is to build things. I’d love to inspire more women to get involved in this area, and I want to show kids, and girls in particular that it’s really cool to build things, and a lot of fun to break things too. Overall, I really like running my channel because it has enabled me to become a part of the awesome community that exists online and to get to know a lot of really creative and inspiring people.

Shop

I have a small shop, which I built last year. It measures 12×16 feet, so it’s quite small. Initially I planned to put the table saw and miter saw inside the shop, but after realizing how small it is, and how noisy and dusty that gets, I decided to keep the power tools outside in my carport, and mostly work with hand tools and smaller power tools inside my shop. So I suppose you could say I have two shops – one outdoor shop where I do cutting and sanding, and one inside shop where I build, assemble and finish.

My shop

How long have you been woodworking?
I have really been building and making things my whole life. It was always a big part growing up to do creative projects. I was lucky enough to take woodworking classes in school when I was quite young, as is custom in Sweden. However, I’m always learning new things, new techniques etc… That’s one of my favorite parts of woodworking, that there are so many ways of doing the same thing. It really presents the perfect playground to try different concepts. I love testing, and figuring things out, and if I can’t find something out, I really like to set up a test to better understand a material or a joint for example. I’m very glad that I was introduced to making things early on and I think it’s very important for kids to get introduced to building and physical concepts when they’re young, and that’s something I really want to get across with my videos.

Can you remember your first project and what it was?

My very first wood project was probably whittling a butter knife or something like that. In Sweden, we very much like our butter knives, so I think that was one of my first projects.

What made you decide to start producing online content? (blog or video)

I started making videos in the finishing area because I found that there was limited information, and few good examples on YouTube. So I thought that I would be able to add to that area. However, as the channel progressed and I had more fun with it, I started introducing some of the stuff I build all the time, and now it has really developed into a place where I put up all the things I like best and think about. So my channel has progressed quite a bit from finish-focusing to building and projects.

Thor’s Hammer

What was your first video project?
My first video was about how to refinish a table using wipe-on spar urethane. I wanted to provide good instructions about how to achieve a glossy finish while making a fun video that people could relate to.

Setup for filming

Do you only do woodworking or do you work with any other materials?
I really like to integrate all kinds of materials into my work. I would say that primarily I work with wood, but I love using metal, fabric and other materials. Right now I’m working on a desk lamp that integrates LED strip lighting for example. As time goes on I want to integrate additional materials like 3D printing, metal & stone. I really feel like nothing is off limits in the creative sphere.

Xmas Tree with LED lights.

What is your favorite project you have made so far?Well, I don’t know if I have a favorite exactly. I use my workbench a lot, so that was a very practical project. I had a lot of fun building Thor’s hammer (and using it to smash a pumpkin), so that was a fun video to make. Otherwise, I’m usually the most excited about my next project, and I have quite a few of those lined up…

Workbench

Do you have a favorite tool, if so what is it?
If I had a really great table saw, I probably would say that. However, I find myself using chisels a lot and they are such a great basic building tool. They are the kind of tool that forces you to practice, as well as become very familiar with sharpening.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Well, I would say I get inspiration from need. If I need something specific, then I start to think about how to make something that solves a problem or fits my space. Then I think about what materials I have to work with, and what type of construction or joinery would fit the project and what would be fun to try. So fundamentally I would say my inspiration comes from trying to solve a problem.

What advice would you give someone that may want to start making things?
The first thing I would say would be, don’t over think it. Don’t spend too much time trying to study before trying something out, and don’t plan too much. When you plan too much you are ripe for disappointment. YouTube is a great tool when you want to get ideas or learn a technique, but fundamentally it’s important to just start building. Also, don’t be afraid if it doesn’t turn out perfect, it’s a process like all things. It’s so much more rewarding to make something yourself because then you own it and you’re in control of it if you ever want to change it or improve it. So basically, don’t set your expectations too high – just start playing. Also, realize that you don’t need fancy tools or materials, and that it’s often better to start out with fewer tools because it really forces you to be more creative.

Catapult

Final Note
I really want to emphasize that woodworking is what you want it to be. A lot of people have a lot of different ideas about what it is and you should figure out what it means to you. There is not a right kind of woodworking. It is about having fun for some, and for others it is about getting something done. Since we are talking about it as a hobby, and not a production business you should approach it as something you look forward to, and not a job. The freedom that comes with having your own shop, your own space and your own deadline is invaluable.

If you’d like to see my videos, please check out the links below.

Darbin Orvar YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/user/darbinorvar/
Darbin Notes YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/user/darbinnotes/
Thanks!

Model house frames

Gluing

Wacky Wood Works would like to thank Linn from Darbin Orvar for her time for doing this interview. We hope it will inspire others to just get out to their shop and make something.

Regards
Nighthawk

All photo’s on this page are the property of Darbin Orvar, Wacky Wood Works has written permission to use them exclusively for this interview.