Finding inspiration or planning your next project doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel. The desire to take on a do-it-yourself projects can come from many places whether it be curiosity, necessity, boredom, or just looking for a challenge. Though, not every project is going to be possible with your current skill-set, budget, or time allowance and a little bit of help might be needed to get you started, or maybe you’ve got a case of writer’s block and are looking for new ideas. Let’s take a look at some excellent do-it-yourself resources that will help you build your skills, save you time, money, help inspire your next project, and maybe even alleviate a little of that nervousness we all get when embarking on that new project and the challenge of taking on something new. Most importantly, remember, you’re never alone in this. Someone somewhere has done the exact same thing you’re doing now or something similar!
Youtube
This one might seem a little obvious, but how can you talk about do-it-yourself without it! YouTube may as well be the premier source for do-it-yourself resources. Whether you’re doing something for the first time, or are fishing for new ideas, there’s probably a video on YouTube about it. There are endless topics, niches, and millions of hours of content. It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to do; want to try a new recipe?, learn to weld?, taking on a coding project?, need to fix anything? Chances are you’ll find several different ways to do it; also read the comments, as there’s going likely also be someone who has done the same thing and wants to share their insights. Don’t be dissuaded by the fact that someone else has already done something, instead think of it as encouragement, they did it, now it’s your turn. Take every advantage to use others achievements and mistakes as an opportunity to learn. Like the old saying goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat!”, though we’re not endorsing skinning any of our precious felines. There are infinite possibilities here, and they way you choose to embark on your project will be uniquely yours. Who knows, you may feel compelled to share your experiences too!
Instructables
Another great addition to this list is Instructables: a blog styled do-it-yourself community site that hosts projects by users from all around the world, providing invaluable do-it-yourself resources for makers, aspiring chefs, teachers, and DIYers of all skill levels in a how-to format. It’s an all inclusive space where folks can showcase their most creative, inspiring, resourceful, and even delicious creations. Inside, you’ll find contests where projects are voted on for their quality, challenge, and engagement by other members of the community. Furthermore, Instructables hosts curated guides for teachers of all grade levels. You’ll find no shortage of inspiration here and it’s a little easier to stay focused, but we’re not making any guarantees!
HackSpace Magazine
Getting into a technical niche for a project can become a rabbit-hole of jargon, coding languages, specifications, acronyms, and sometimes very steep learning curves if you’re just getting started. The makers over at Raspberry Pi make it their mission to make computers and technology available to everyone in an affordable, high-quality, and efficient package. Lifted from their site bio, “HackSpace magazine is packed with projects for fixers and tinkerers of all abilities. We’ll teach you new techniques and give you refreshers on familiar ones, from 3D printing, laser cutting, and woodworking to electronics and Internet of Things. HackSpace will inspire you to dream bigger and build better.”. They really couldn’t have said it any better. Every issue is full of creative and fun projects that will most definitely get the juices flowing. Fair warning, Hackspace Magazine may be habit forming, and any hike up the learning curve on any of these high or low tech projects will be sure to leave you inspired or just ready to find out what’s behind the next page or waiting for you in the next issue. Explore all the incredible do-it-yourself resources at an incredible value, featuring not only their magazine, but blog posts, and even full length books!
