Our projects around the home all usually have some source of inspiration. Maybe you saw something in a magazine, remembered something from when you were a kid, or more often than not, saw something on the Internet that sparked your interest. With so many good (and bad) ideas floating around on the web, it’s hard to keep track of them all – but there’s an easy-to-use website that lets you do this in a way that is far more fun and visually appealing than your browser’s Bookmarks feature – and that’s Pinterest.
Pinterest is a free website that lets you pluck images and links from the Internet and place them onto pages called “boards”. A board is basically virtual collage waiting to happen – a blank canvas that you “pin” different objects to. Once you open your free account, you can get going right away. Pinterest has some default boards you can use to get started (like “Books I Want To Read” or “Outfits I Want”) or easily create ones of your own (like “Living Room Decor Ideas” or “Paint Swatches I Like”). There’s a simple “Pin It” button that you can add to your web browser bar. Then, any time you’re surfing a site and spot something you want to refer to for later on Pinterest, just press the button and “Pin It” to the board of your choosing. Before long, you’ve assembled organized boards with visuals and links that can act as inspiration or a future shopping list.
At first glance, Pinterest looks to be quite popular with the mommy / lady set of the Internet; boards filled with crafting ideas, fashion, baking and home decor litter the website. However, that’s not to say that the site can’t or doesn’t appeal to men. After all, your Pinterest is what you make it. As these guys have demonstrated, you could just as easily create a board of tools you want to get, woodworking projects you’re inspired by, ideas of organizing your workshop, or the totally unattainable. The great thing about Pinterest is that it’s an open website – you can get ideas from looking at other peoples’ boards (and “Repin” their finds onto yours) just as easily as surfing the web. The site also lets you comment or like others’ finds or even follow people who have similar tastes as yours.
Pinterest is an invite-only site, but you can apply for an invitation by following the instructions. If you already know someone who uses it, you can ask them for an invite as well. Happy pinning!
Will definitely look into it. Sure beats selecting and printing and storing in an envelope interesting tools I’d like to (eventually) purchase, or follow up on.