14 March

Tool Time


When the alarm went off this morning, I felt a bit like Cindy-rella. Our Spring Break is over and the alarm clock signaled the start of the busiest time of year for me. It was time to put the easy, soft & cushy, warm felting projects aside and put on the Carhartt’s, long-johns, wool socks and heavy-duty welding gloves. There are several metal orders I need to get out this week and then production kicks into high gear for the Spenard Farmers Market and Katie's Gallery. Fireweed Gallery wants a couple of seascape wall sculptures, The Quilted Raven is in need of more Garden Ravens and Raven Ornaments

(the interior photo shows some of my Raven’s that I’m making more of) and I have a special commission I need to work on for Leslye and her husband’s new home.

Before I can have a few days of solid metal work production I needed to re-stock my steel and round-stock inventory. Getting to go to Steel Fab, Alaska Steel and Air Liquide for me, is like some women getting to go to the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale!

I love going to the steel yard –almost as much as purchasing new tools. The next two days will be “cut days” where I’ll draw out what needs to be plasma cut on large, 4 x 8 sheets of 22 gauge steel (a lighter weight steel, what these jobs are calling for) then I’ll hand cut all of the misc. components that will get welded up towards the end of the week.

I cut so long today I have strap marks across my cheeks from wearing my respirator!







Parting “Shot” The people below are at the Alyeska Stizmark Bar getting ready to have a “Shot-Ski.” Shot glasses are filled with your favorite beverage and mounted on a ski –ONE, TWO, THREE, SKIIIII!

4 comments:

Tracey Broome said...

I know what you mean about going to the steel yard. I feel like that in a hardware store, love the smell, love the tall shelves full of lumber, love the tools..... I have been there almost every day this past week. I moved in to my studio this weekend and my little sheep and my raven banner moved in with me. It's all a mess right now but I will get some photos up soon

cindy shake said...

YAAAY! How wonderful Tracey!! Perfect time to move in the new studio, Spring, a time of rebirth :o) Can't wait to see the pics!

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

That world of steel is such a mystery to me. I love reading your posts about the steel work. How interesting to put down the fabric/felting projects and pick up the steel! Talk about change of seasons!

Linda Starr said...

You live and work in a world of contrasts, skiing drinks, Ha that is so funny, reminds me of my tequila shooter days.