Categories
Thoughts, complaints, and loquacious ramblings.

28 march 2022

I have Elias back, but also random untreatable ailments. This time, it’s a perpetually elevated heart rate that has me constantly exhausted. Hands are shaking so much that fine work is near impossible. I’ve found, however, that the rate doesn’t go up much more when lifting heavy things, nor does avoiding coffee seem to help, so I figure with passing out to rely on as a fuse, I’ll be finishing up all the big stuff moving while propping myself up on gallons of espresso.

There isn’t a lot left in the old dungeon studio to move, anyhow. My go to table saw, which I’ve since replaced with a much older unit. My scroll saw, which, while still fun, has lost a lot of its allure when contrasted with the gigantic bandsaw. A lot of machine parts and materials that I’ll need, but until I decide on cabinetry, then design, build, and install said cabinetry, there’s no rush. Just lots of small and medium bits to make necessary lots of little trips. Getting there, though.

My goal for the first quarter was to complete my two large standing commissions and get functionally moved into the studio. First commission’s done, second one was delayed by Elias’s six week long convalescence and issues with the client’s other contractors, but is moving on, now. Power is still a big issue in the shop, but with spring coming, I won’t need the heater, which frees up a few more amps to hold me over until the new line comes in. Counter to my normal inclination, I’ll count this as a success.

Speaking of spring, I’ve gone through my bags of seeds and my scattered horticultural supplies. By the end of april, I mean to have a miniature herb garden outside the studio.

I’m so excited for the growing season. I haven’t been able to garden since my roommates occurred. I’ve managed to keep a handful of herbs and succulents alive indoors over the past two years and I can’t wait to get them outside and let them grow more fully into their potentials.

I’ve got six avocado stones sprouted. I’ve been playing with designs for avocado rafts and planters, but I won’t really have an idea of what I like until I get some leaves.

I missed horticulture so incredibly much. I can’t wait to get back into it.

Categories
Thoughts, complaints, and loquacious ramblings.

Update – 1 March 2021

Getting back into the studio has been a huge relief after laying low for most of the winter.

Last november, I bought a 93 Ford Ranger at auction. It looked great in the pictures, but the frame was so rusted the first mechanic I took it to asked me to sign a waiver to drive it home.

A few weeks after, while waiting for my checking account to recover so I could start Ranger repairs, a flying SUV wheel jumped over a hill and totalled the CARDIS. I was fine, but the Suzuki seemed to dissolve around me.

Another few weeks, and I dipped into savings to buy a 93 Dakota. I’d had pipe dreams of learning car repair by doing a full frame swap of the Ranger, but the reality was: I didn’t have the space, tools, or yet the ability to do that on my own. I needed some sort of vehicle for hauling the salvaged wood, metal, and plastics I build all my work from, and the Dakota was what was available. That was about a month and a half ago, and thus far, I’ve been able to learn car repairs faster than it’s been falling apart.

All that to say, I haven’t had much time to get into the studio, and when I have been able to, I haven’t had the energy for photography.

But, barring unforseen destruction, I should be back. I’ve cleaned up and rearranged the studio, set up some new old tools, and started down the path of turning. By summer I expect to have quite a few new kinds of hollow-forms within my making abilities.

Looking forward to spring and plants and the potential of open air art markets.

Can’t wait.

Categories
Thoughts, complaints, and loquacious ramblings.

New Pages

As I slowly work to pull the website together, I’ll be adding new pages to the menu.

The first will be a wishlist and work trade page where you can go to see what sort of things I’m looking for and, with any luck, something you’re looking for, too. Let’s work together to get you the goods you want and get me the tools I need to make them!