Showing Off a Few Things

I am really slow on giving my Christmas gifts. In fact, I STILL haven't given them all out. But I've given away at least three of my copper pieces, which I guess is enough to justify a post.

Just a few pics. Perhaps soon I'll post pics of my copper inlaid rocks. They turned out better than I expected. Up next on the workbench are two ideas for copper fountains. One as a gift, one as a combo moss and rock waterfall for me. I love that I have the best ideas; I hate how hard they are to implement. Anyway, here are some pics of presents I gave away this year.












One other thing I'm excited about - Duluth may be getting it's own hackerspace/art space. It sounds like just what I'd be looking for - a place to be noisy and play with fire. There are two big stumbling blocks, though...and it boils down to just one thing - money. First, the rent would be split among interested parties as a monthly fee. Rent at that space is $1250 a month. Unless there are 30+ people interested, there is NO way I can fit that into my budget. The other thing is...if I was able to afford space there, I'd still need to buy a workbench, and torch, and materials for the bigger projects I'd like to try. And that's also quite a bit of money. *sigh* I need the winning lottery ticket. But with the luck I've been having, if I got a ticket it would spontaneously combust and burn my fingers...

Itsa Moooooooooose

Now, I normally am not a fan of mooses. Brad asked for a moose or a bear for his copper thing, and I said "NO moose!". He got a bear. Then Adam said he wanted a moose or elephant. ...damn mooses are evil, but I'd prefer them to an elephant.

Damn lacquer killed the colors on this one. I know, it's supposed to be LIVING copper, but part of me hates to see the colors fade and go away. And I'm sure the people who get the pieces wouldn't like that either. So, I lacquer. I need to perhaps experiment with more types of lacquer. The kind I'm using now kills all the pinks and blues and purples. *sigh*

Anyway, I'm learning. The trees were cut the wrong lengths so are in the wrong places. I need to redo my pattern pieces for this one, I think.

Up next, a heron and a walleye. But first, vacation! Woohoo!

VICTORY!

I finally made something that I think, with practice, may be sellable. Oh hell yes! (Yes, I know I need a LOT of practice. The trees are crooked. And I didn't scrub the metal hard enough; the bear looks like it's barfing because of some impurity on the tree. In fact, it looks like it's super-bear-barf knocking over the tree. Given the person that this is a gift for, that may be acceptable.)

A friend of a friend was kind enough to give me some copper gaskets, and they make a wonderful base to plan window hangy things from. I've already drawn up five patterns, and I've got quite a few more in mind. This first one, a bear based of this picture I took, was made as a thank-you gift for a friend. It was mostly a practice piece, learning the right order to do things (glue comes before lacquer!) and how things worked together. I may try soldering the next one. Copper glue works ok, but I really hate glue.

Over the last month, I've been trying hard to find studio space, with no luck. My art is small, yes, but there would be a few reasons it would help to have a studio. First, I wouldn't be pissing my neighbors off with copper grindy noises. Second, I could use an oxyacetylene torch, or rent one, and that would greatly speed up what I'm able to do. And it'd be nice to maybe meet other people who share at least similar hobbies.

So, I emailed a local organization for help a few weeks ago, but never got an answer. So, I made a post on a local forum, looking for help. You can read the post here, if you want (I am HappyHippo).

Now, I thought I phrased it rather well. And I was happy a few people chimed in to help. Especially surprising is the 5th comment, from "Samantha", leaving a phone number. So, I called it.

Turns out, she's the head of the Art Institute. And she did not leave her number there to help me. Oh no. She left her number there so I'd call, and she could berate me for speaking badly about the DAI, for not trying hard enough to contact them, and for not trying to make any connections in the community. I tried to interrupt her to apologize twice, then once to say I didn't call to get yelled at, and a final time to say "Sorry, I don't think you can help me" and hung up.

I spent several hours feeling very upset, before I decided she was just an asshole and I should get over it. I also restrained myself from replying to the last comment on my post; it was posted within 15 minutes of me getting off the phone. I don't know if it was the same person trying to do more "damage control" or what. I very much wanted to defend myself (I used the form on your website to contact you - it's not MY fault it goes to a box no one checks! I'm sorry I'm shy and don't know any local artists and I'm bothering you! Yes, I'm sure my comments have forever tarnished the DAI!) But, I did not post. I made a grumpy post on Facebook, and Ari offered to beat someone up for me. That also made me feel a little better.

But, I still have had ZERO luck finding a studio space.

Until I get a call from the landlord, though, I'll keep working on my new project ideas. Labor Day weekend will be full of copper!

I'm a Slacker

Yeah, yeah, I know I haven't posted anything in a year. Over a year. I suck. I still have been making stuff (though admittedly, not as much. I'm nervous that an hour on metal-on-metal grinding is going to get me evicted.) But I will post pics of the things that I've made that I've remembered to take pics of. They are in no particular order.
































I do tend to go "Oh, shiney!" a lot...

Trying Something New

Today, I want to give a bit of backstory on how I picked the name of my blog/hobby/business/whatever you call all these pieces of copper messing up my apartment. Don't worry, I'll have a couple pictures of current projects too. In fact, let's start with a picture that should have been my last post, but it didn't quite make it.



Another rock pendant thingy. I'm not as fond of this one as the last one. The wirework seems to be off a bit, but I like the shape. I really wish the shores weren't all iced over, as I'd love to get out and look for some more rocks. Sadly, I'm guessing I've got at least 4 months before I can get out searching again.

But onto my story. Why 'Living Copper Art' and 'Fire and Spice'? Aside from sounding cool, there is a bit of reason behind them. I decided to go with living copper, as I don't want to seal any of the pieces I do. That means the patina on the copper will change and evolve as the piece gets older. Everyone knows copper gets green with age, but depending on the climate and conditions its in, it will be a gradual process. And I think that's part of the fun of working if copper. If I put a coat of lacquer over something...sure, the colors will stay put. But it will be much less interesting! As for the 'fire and spice' bit...it's both referencing some good writing and the two unique materials I use. It's the name of both a poem by Frost, and part of the title of one of my favorite books (A Song of Ice and Fire). And I use fire (coloring copper) and spice (in jewelry, you haven't seen much of that yet). So, there's that. In fact, I should really take a picture of a couple of my 'spice' creations. I don't think I have yet.



So, there are those. I've made one for myself before. It smells awesome in the sun in the summer, warmed up. Ok, it kinda makes me smell like a hippie. But in such a good way!

The other new project I've been trying was a picture frame. On my personal journal, I participated in a meme where crafters offered up their services for five random people, for free. I thought it'd be a good idea to give me more of a reason to make new things, and stretch. The first 'real' thing I've made is a picture frame.



Ok, ok, I didn't actually make the frame. I picked that up cheap from Michael's. But I have been decorating it. First up was my first experiment with copper leaf. I made the viney designs around the left edge of the frame. I used a glue pen; in retrospect, I wish I didn't, as the lines came out too thick. It still looks like vines, but not what I wanted. Next time, I think perhaps a toothpick dipped in glue will be better.

After the leaf was applied, I made a patina solution of liver of sulfur. Now, everything I've read about using the stuff says you dip your copper into it, but I figured what the hell, I'll paint it on with a paintbrush. Because really, can't dip the whole picture frame into a bucket of stinky yellow stuff. (And yes, that stuff stinks like, well, sulfur.) And it worked! It dulled the copper down darker, much closer to the frame. When you're looking at it head on, you can barely see it. At an angle, though, it catches the light in an oil slick of blue and purple and gunmetal. I like that effect!



I'm also making some copper wire vines and flowers as an additional embellishment. It'll make it look more 3D, and of COURSE I need something to blowtorch on everything I do. :) They're simple, but they work. I might need to make one or two more. I also need to figure out how to attach them to the wood of the frame. I'm thinking superglue at the thicker, twisted points of the wire...



I think to complete the frame before I send it, I'll add a photo of mine. That way, the recipient can use it for their own photo, or just throw it on a shelf somewhere, and have it he an art piece. I'm thinking either a waterfall picture (this one? or this one?) or a sunrise picture. I really wish my violet picture was the right orientation to go in this frame - it would otherwise fit perfectly! Ah well.

That's it for today. Next on my list is cutting out that complicated tree. I was able to find stencil material the last time I went shopping. I managed to cut it out without slicing myself with the exacto knife. Not even once! Now let's see if I can cut it out of the copper without getting a boob squished in the backend of the tinsnips. Yes, this is a real concern.

It hurts.

:P

Dangly Bits

Today, I superglued my fingers together while working on things. Yuck! I hate superglue!

At my place, if it's not one thing, it's another. Last weekend, the hallway outside my apartment began leaking torrential amounts of water. There was a waterfall all the way down the stairs, and all the other fun stuff that comes with lots of water going places. There have been huge fans in the hallway for the last week, drying things out. And the ceiling has been torn out. I guess what all this is leading up to, is, I am SO glad I have earplugs. Not only are they useful when I'm drilling copper, they are now allowing me to keep my sanity!

Haven't done much in the way of big projects recently. I did finish the Maui glass pendant and delivered it to my mother, who will give it to the person who will give it to the person it's for. I wasn't all that happy with it; the silver wire I bought left silver residue on the glass that I just COULDN'T get off! And it was WAY too soft and took toolmarks too easily. But perhaps that's just the perfectionist in me talking. I guess it got rave reviews when my mother dropped it off, and two other people are interesting in buying jewelry from me. Guess when the ice melts, I need to get out hunting more glass. Unless someone wants to buy me a trip to Maui! Anyway, here's a picture of the finished product. (I wanted it on a black silk cord, but the store was sold out. *sadface*)



With the success of that piece, I decided to try my hand at making one of a similar style, but that was purely Lake Superior. So I used a rock and a bit of glass from right here in Duluth, and putzed around a bit (this is where I happened to glue my fingers together). I kinda like how it turned out. And the copper wire behaves much more nicely than the silver wire! I heat-colored it...and I took before and after photos, so you can see how the blowtorch really helps the color. Here's the 'before' pic...




...and here's the after pic. I really need to get a piece of black velvet; I think it'll help the pieces really pop, in photos.



I did start the next big copper piece (the corner-huger is kinda on hiatus while I figure some things out). It's going to be another suncatcher, and I really like the shape. In fact, if it turns out well, it's going to be VERY hard for me not to keep it!



On the little branch that sticks out on the left, I'll add a bit of chain and a dangling piece of glass. I think this will work well; in fact, I want to find some heavier plastic sheet, so I can make it into a stencil. That way, if I want to make a few copies, they will be much easier to trace. Of course, this one will be a bitch to cut out!

Don't Drink and Dremel

This is just a short post....since my car got fixed (just loose lugnuts, so it was free!) I was able to get some more dremel bits, and keep working on stuff. So I finished my Grandma's Christmas present (my Christmases are always delayed). *sigh*

Anyway, here's a photo. There's some stunning colors on this one, even though the hanging points of balance are a little off.



I like it!

More Car Problems, More Copper

Another day home with no car, another post. Lucky you!

First off, I finished the hanging star thingy. I'm still kinda undecided on it - I don't know if the thicker chain on top makes it look top-heavy or not. But, I'm sure I'll find something to do with it. I'm not sure if it's in the 'sellable' category, but I might save it and see.



Next up on my list, a copper corner hugger for my mother (hopefully to be done by mother's day). It's going to be based on viney nasturtium flowers, which are a favorite of both of ours. One bad thing, I'll need to get a soldering iron and learn how to use it for this project. Erf! I can add burns to the scrapes and cuts I get. Right now, it's just in the 'cutting out' stage. I'm giving the hacksaw a try, to cut out the middle part. It's slow going, but seems to work well.



Last but not least, I got some sea glass as a gift for Christmas, hand-picked from the beaches of Maui. It came with one caveat; I need to use some of it to make something for the person who gave it to the person who gave it to me (the person who picked the glass has now passed away, so it's sentimental value). Well, as I sorted through it, something jumped out at me right away - two pieces that would make a wonderful necklace.



I think using silver wire instead of copper, wrapped around a couple times, then through a hole drilled into the top of the white piece to make a hanger. Hang it on a silver box chain, and it would look very nice. It'd capture the feel of the ocean and Hawaii and still look modern and almost professional! I can't wait to see how it turns out.

But first I'll need to buy silver wire. And I need another copper sheet, soldering supplies, a new glass-drilling dremel bit... And before all that, I need a working car. Will this need of stuff never end??

My Silver Lining (Is Copper)

Well, due to car problems, I've been stuck in my apartment the last couple days. I've been playing with my metal more than that, I just haven't been able to take good pictures what I do. And I just don't feel right posting without pictures!



I have roughed out my next suncatcher - one with stars. The hanging stars were relatively easy to cut out. I actually cut out a star-shaped hole in the lid of a peanut-butter jar, and used that to to get them the same size (more or less). The top swoosh was just done freehand. The tricky part was cutting out the star shapes inside the swoosh. (I know you can't see them very well in the picture, but they are there.) They're about the size of dimes. The hacksaw that I got won't cut it (haha) for something that small. I ended up using the etching tool on the dremel, which worked ok to rough out the shape, but it left rounded points. So they look more like starfish than actual stars. *sigh* I can't have everything.

The texturing and coloring went better. I think I'll need to buy more sanding disks soon, as they give a wonderful swooping swirling shiny texture to the metal. And I'm getting better with the blowtorch too - that really is my favorite part of the process. I'm not sure if you can see in the pictures, but I'm getting some brighter colors, especially orange and magenta. And one of the stars is almost all green! Now that's fun!

Not EVERYTHING went well, though. While doing some etching, my dremel slipped and jumped into my hand. I was suddenly very glad I was wearing gloves. Even though it tore up the rubber coating and even through some of the knit, my fingers weren't bloodied at all. I was very thankful for that. I've managed to get this far without any serious injuries! A couple nights ago, I did have a bristle from my brass brush fly into my mouth as I was polishing some pieces. I guess I sit there with my mouth gaping like an idiot when I'm concentrating!



With any luck, my car will start tomorrow (with or without a jump from a towing company). If I have less luck though, I'll finish up this suncatcher. And perhaps I'll try my hand at photographing my works in some daylight. Wish me luck!

I really suck at updating...

Well, a lack of updates means two things. I have been busy and not playing with art so much, and I've been uninspired to blog. This is a bit of both. :( I did finish the suncatcher, which I am pretty pleased with, for a first attempt. (There is a picture, but it's included as the very last thing, because it's...big.

My thoughts on it... I still need to figure out how to re-harden then copper after heating it. I think re-hammering it might work...but I'll have to test it out on the next piece. I also am a little annoyed at the quality of some of the chain I have, but I guess that's to be expected when buying things online. I still haven't gotten any of my playing chemicals - curse real life and real bills!

I have made a few necklaces, but I can't get them to photograph well at all. It's very frustrating. I may need to invest in one of those fake torso/neck stands. I think I saw some at Michael's last time I was there.

I've also been making camera straps. This has been just for my own use, but a couple people who have seen them have commented that I should sell them. That's always an idea - they are very pretty! If I do decide to sell them, I'll include a photo.

Not sure what project is next. Until then (and probably another month before I post) here's the first hangy-thing I made! It's already been gifted away - sorry!

Disaster and Resolution

So, you may have noticed I haven't updated in a while. (Actually, one person did. So *hugs* to them. Anyway...) To me, one of the most important things I include here are the pictures. It breaks up these long blocks of text. But perhaps a week ago, I went to turn on my camera, and it wouldn't. The horror! Really, I was incredibly mad. I hadn't dropped it or abused it...and it was no longer under warranty. So I bought a new camera. A better camera (another of my hobbies is photography). So, I bring you updates! With pictures!


I was out looking for sea glass last week, and I found THE most spectacular piece. It's hard to tell by the picture, but it's perhaps an inch tall and egg-shaped, and pink. Not only is it a rare color, but it's the biggest piece I've ever found. When I first saw it, I thought it was a turtle egg. Then I picked it up, and thought it was a discarded piece of candy. Nope - just the best piece of beach glass I've found. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it - I might just save and enjoy it.


I did get my liver of sulfur...finally. Sadly, they didn't send the vice I ordered too (I'm going to have to write and complain.) I did attempt to patina my copper beads, with mixed results. Some beads colored unevenly, some turned black in about two seconds, and some didn't take color at all. *sigh* I need a lot more practice. But at least now I've got some workable beads.

Speaking of practice, I did stop by the renfest last time I was in Minneapolis. I was feeling rather ill that day, so I didn't stay long. I was able to talk to the guy who does all the artwork for "Ye Copper Burning" (I searched for a website in vain.) He was very friendly, but basically told me the only way to get bright colors was...practice. Which is kind of what I was expecting, but copper is expensive just to buy to practice on. But, I won't let that stop me!

Unfortunately I don't have many updates - life has been busy! 'Til next time!

Personal Accomplishment

I am STILL waiting on my Liver of Sulfur. This really annoys me, as it puts me at a standstill with the simple jewelry making. Most of the copper beads I bought are much too shiny and bright. And the liver of sulfur will give them that dark patina that I prefer. But it's not here yet! ARGH!



In the meantime, I tried something that makes me nervous. I started drilling my collection of beach glass. Why would this make me nervous? Well, several reasons. First of all, I really like beach glass, but it's hard to find around here. I haven't even gone out looking recently - though hopefully next weekend I can go out. Most of the shores of Lake Superior that are within easy distance of me are picked very clean by agate hunters. So, if I ruin a piece by drilling badly, even a bad piece, it's hard to replace. Second, these pieces are tiny, and I have to hold them down while drilling. So, I've got a rapidly spinning diamond bit drill just millimeters from my fingers. One slip, and I'll have tiny blood spatters everywhere. *laugh*



But, I've drilled three pieces now, with no mishaps. No flying pieces, broken glass, or bloody fingers. It takes longer than I'd expect - at least 15 minutes per piece, depending on how hard the glass is. But now I know I can do it!

Getting ever closer to finishing the first hanging thingy. I've decided I need heavier gauge copper, because once I heated the stuff I have, it got very bendy. Also, I need WAY more jump rings!

I'm heading down to the state fair this weekend. Perhaps I'll find inspiration! (If I get really bold, I could stop by the MN Renaissance Faire. I know they have a booth there that sells copper pieces colored like I want to learn how to do. I could ask for pointers...if I was brave!)

Trading Ska for Fairy Wings

I was planning on going out tonight. I was going to go to a bar, have a couple drinks, and listen to some local kids play ska. I've heard them before - I like them! But I decided to do a bit of crafting before I left, and by the time I looked up at the clock, it was 11:00. *sigh* I guess I'll need to catch them again in September.

Good news is, I made some stuff! Or at least, got a good start. And I experimented, too. This is going to be a learning process, for sure, but a fun one. I started out with finishing drilling the holes in the copper moon shape. That went well, though I was covered with copper dust by the time I was done. My black tank top looked very pretty! (As an aside, this made me google the effects of breathing in copper dust. Luckily, seems like I've got nothing to worry about. Anything that it's gonna do to me, is likely already happening to me anyway. And it's not like I'm making THAT much dust. Anyway...)



After I made the holes, I used a grinding bit to try smooth out the inside curve a bit more. It went well, until my hand slipped and I left a scratch in the front. :( I though I might be able to sand it out, so I put a sanding disk on the dremel, and gave it a once-over. It left a very cool wobbly pattern, though the disk got a little chewed up near the end. I wasn't able to buff out the scratch I gave it, and actually put some new scratches in the back. Oops! Then, I tried blowtorching it. Now, I did get it to turn colors, but not that much. I mean, not the vivid and astonishing colors that I've seen before on copper pieces. I might get down to the library tomorrow and see if I can find any books on metalworking that might be helpful. I did manage to get a very faint patina, though. After that, I decided to put that aside, and start working on something else.



I have a neat (in my fanciful opinion, anyway) idea for a wind-chime-type thing. It involves these seed pods that look like maple seeds but bigger. I can copper coat them and string them and, well, hopefully I'll be able to show you as things go on. For now, though, I started preparing the seeds. I got a jump ring through them and laquered then, and now they're hanging to dry. They look very much like fairy wings - an effect I was not expecting. Next I need to paint them with conductive paint. Then plate them. Then, I've been thinking about etching them to give them a lacy appearance. But that's getting the cart MILES ahead of the horse.

For now, I'll be happy with what I got done. And hope that I didn't miss TOO much by not going out!

Seed Beads and Power Tools

I've been slow getting started. I've been waiting on mail orders from five or so different places, and of course shipping isn't the speediest. But that's ok! Today I finally broke down and bought a dremel, so I've done enough productive things to write about.

First...how have I been spending the last week? The thrilling project of sorting seed beads. Yes, really!



Ever since I was young, I've played with seed beads. From stringing them on fishing line when I was small, to weaving them on a loom when I was a bit older, I've done a lot. And I've collected a lot of beads. Over the course of life, through many moves and many years, they've all become mixed together. Pretty, but not very conducive to using them. So...I've been separating them into slotted boxes. One at a time. With tweezers. Yes, really!



It hasn't been all bad. I've done some of it at work (I work from home) and a lot more in the evenings while watching movies. The 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy seems greatly improved when I can keep my hands busy. I've also had help from my cat. Admittedly, a lot of her help isn't that helpful, but she sure does look cute!



But...back to the more fun things! I had another shopping trip today - this time to Home Depot. Sadly, they didn't have a lot of what I was looking for - no liver of sulfur or conductive paint (both things I've ordered online, but I prefer to buy local). They did have a rather attractive guy working in the lumber section, though, who let me take a couple pieces of wood out of the scrap box under the cutter. So, now I have wood to use as a drilling and hammering surface - just in time, too!

Today I cut my first bit out of the copper - the base for a sun catcher. It was both easier and harder to cut out, than I expected. The tin snips cut easily around the outer edge, but not well around the inner edge. I may need to buy a pair with a curved blade to get the accuracy I need. I was left with a very raggedy and sharp edge. Luckily...I have a dremel! The grinding edge smoothed it out, though did not shape it as well as I would have liked. I also started hammering the piece with the round end of my hammer. I might want to get a hammer with a larger end, but it was starting to look ok! I would have worked it more, but I was starting to worry all the hammering and whirring would disturb the neighbors. I did take the time to try a cutting bit, and drilled a hole through the piece. It worked quite well - I'm having fun with my new toys!



This weekend I will hopefully have all the supplies I've been waiting for, and I can start working in earnest! Except, I'm not sure my weed killer is copper sulfate based. That may be a problem. :( I had a very smart friend staying with me for a couple days and he gave me a lot of tips on chemicals (part of his job is etching computer parts). This means I may yet have to buy more things online, but he showed me a very...interesting...web site. Along with the more simple chemicals I need, I could also buy things like solid cesium, heavy water, and even uranium! I had no clue that 'normal' people could even buy things like that. Anyway, I'm not planning on buying uranium...but I just thought it was interesting.

If nothing else, I'll see what I can do about hanging the beach glass I've picked up. Either drilling it...or mounting it on a jump ring...or wrapping it with wire...so many options to try to see what works best! Wish me luck!

Getting Started

I am a girl with a blowtorch.

I haven't even taken it out of the box, let alone started torching things. But the fact that I now own my own blowtorch gives me a silly sense of pride and and excitement. Right now, I am hoping my skill can keep up with my ambition and creative ideas.

Hello, and welcome to my blog. I'm Liz, and I'm glad you stopped by! Today I start writing, keeping a record of my trials and errors, successes and adventures. Adventures doing what, you ask? I'm starting to craft with copper. Copper plating small objects, etching it, hammering it, coloring it, jewelry making, whatever I can think of! As a small part of that, I also plan on making jewelry incorporating dried herbs - adding the subtle dimension of smell to pieces. Understand, I've never done ANY of this before. But I've always had a creative streak, and I love copper. So, I decided this was what I wanted to do, and this is the time to do it!



Why now? I just got my renter's tax rebate in the mail. Disposable income - huzzah! And I have a steady job, my own place with room enough to work, and the free time to put effort into what I'm doing. So this weekend, I hit up some stores, to start getting what I need. It felt almost empowering, walking around Harbor Freight Tools knowing what I need, and picking up other random things on impulse. No, thank you, I don't need help - but I'll let you know if I do! A trip to Menards and a trip to Target rounded off the weekend, with the stuff I remembered to buy, anyway...



I've gotten sheet copper and lacquer, weed killer and brass brushes and a ball peen hammer, paint brushes and electric leads and plenty of other things. Two VERY important pieces of equipment I did not have to buy. One was a CD player. I expect to be playing great music as I work; the right music can be greatly inspiring (once I start working, I'll let you know what I'm listening to!) The other is a pair of safety goggles. What I have are actually welding goggles, but I assume they will serve the same purpose. Normally, a pair of goggles wouldn't warrant more than passing mention, but these goggles... These goggles are the same type worn by my favorite evil scientist - Dr. Horrible. I hope you agree - that makes them worth praising!

Sadly, I still have more things to buy or acquire before I can get started. Most of the things I need can only be ordered from specialty stores, or will require some searching on my part. For example, I need a chunk of wood to use as a hammering surface. I need to find ferric chloride, too, and liver of sulfur. If I'm successful enough, I'll even get a digital rectifier!

For now, though, I close this initial post thanking you for stopping by. Please come back again soon. You may either see some of my first attempts in crafting...or pictures of me after I accidentally burn off half my hair with a blowtorch. Either way, it will be worth it!