My Tools Have a Life of Their Own – The Magic of Upgrading

In the past 2+ years of online pivoting, I’ve had the privilege of seeing inside more studios than ever, even more than when I was traveling and teaching somewhere new every month. It’s been hugely inspiring, but admittedly, at first, I found it a bit depressing when I’d turn off Zoom and look back at my own space.

As much as I adore pawing through art supplies and tools to find new and useful ways to keep them in front of me without starting an avalanche, I realized my bench was the final frontier. I’d been procrastinating forever in favor of that next commission, project, or course prep. What I needed was some upgrading and a more creative, “Marie Kondo” take on my pack-rat style.

This was also spurred on by the reality that I need things where I can easily grab them without getting up and down. I need things ergonomically easy and intuitive if I’m to keep going in my fourth decade of fire, forging, and fabrication. It’s always been tempting to revert to my single-mom, scarcity mode of the early 2000s when it comes to equipment. My ingenuity means I can make just about anything work if I have to, but my stubborn adherence to the idea that I should always make do with whatever has cost me dearly in tendinitis and neck pain.

With the fabulous help of my friend Mark Nelson at Rio Grande, I reimagined what my set up could be. I thanked for its service and moved it to the attic (just in case) my 30+ year old, cracked, plexiglass collection box that I hated looking at but which always awkwardly ended up front and center in the studio. I bought a Foredom stand and collection system that raises and lowers to any height I need so my joints and spine don’t require Rust-Oleum when I stop and stand up. I invested in a micromotor for faster clean up. The handpiece and cord are way lighter to hold, which means my wrists don’t go numb when I get over-fixated on polishing a piece. (This also means I have no good excuse for not finishing more pieces, but there’s a solution for that!)

Last but not least, I went Wall Control crazy.

I recently compiled all the still photos I took of the process into this animation. (It only took me a year to edit it!) Like their owner, my tools have a fair amount of personality.

Time for the big reveal!

Full list of tools and where to find them at the end of the short video

If this video won’t play, click here to watch it.