Between fractured vertebrae that really can't be healed and being told that accumulated injuries and such do not qualify as a disability unless you are blind or have lost use of a limb..... yes, this could be a repeat, but still near devastating news.
During the course of advising or instructing on how to make something or a technique I will likely use the brand name of a product ... most likely adhesives or paint... and more.
Please be advised that the products I reccomend are what has worked best FOR ME through trial and error. If you discover a different product or technique that works better for you..... GREAT! Please send a message and you will get full credit. I am NOT a spokesman for any company, nor do they sponsor my work in ANY MANNER. After 25 years in professional entertainment design and fabrication, there's just some tricks I have been shown or more likely discovered on my own. I can of one right off that took me TWELVE YEARS to realize I had been building something wrong! It was simple and easy to fix... had my employer not dismissed me five months before it could be implemented. I never passed it on: professional prop people rarely share their secrets to anyone whom they do not trust or respect implicitly. Our notes are safely stored in our heads. Only one Manager and one performer who sincerely appreciated and respected my craft went shopping with me in 20 years... and they each clearly understood the near sacred adventure they were able to undertake ...
Well, next Saturday is "Christmas in July" but too late to organize even a small dinner gathering.
I will instead celebrate Daddy's 80th birthday !
HOWEVER, this does allow just enough time to dig out or make Christmas cards! Keeping with my philosophy of upcycling, I I usually make mine with cardstock and cropped Christmas cards from the past. It will fit in a 6x9 envelope with standard first class postage. MAKE IT FLAT...tape over the clasp if there is one. I believe maximum thickness is .25 inch.... something I learned a couple years ago when I used Scrabble tiles! Cost for mailing that was upwards of 2 DOLLARS. So now I will photocopy the tiles.... Maybe the gathering will happen next year with more time to plan. But, you can still play Christmas music!
After playing the Internet game of cat and mouse, I AM NOW spotteddogworkshop.com
It'll take you to the right page... but it has retained the original name from WAY BACK! MELANGE is French for MIXTURE, which is what my work has always been.
And then it was pointed out that if it's difficult to say, it'll be difficult to remember. Thought my last incarnation would be the last. However, I got flack for it sounding misleading.
Whatever.
SoI this is IT. Named in reference to my beloved childhood pet and bestest dog in the world.
EVER!
But not to lead anyone on, Mutt will likely be mentioned a few times. I think I have found the proper tribute.... but don't worry... there will be some memories and stories scattered in.
Assuming you've looked around a bit, you have figured out that my main/current mission is to salvage reusable discarded items and repair or reimagine them into new lives and uses. These materials can come from all manner of places... thrift stores, garage sales, Ebay, the side of the road or rediscoverd treasures packed or carefully stored away. It's like having a newborn....people will offer you ALL MANNER of baby supplies.... and should you start to decline these well-meant offerings, people will assume you don't need them or have grown tired of THEIR offerings. Same thing with recreating. Give EVERYTHING serious consideration...and you may be able to trade off with other artisans. Daddy doesn't like canned tomatoes, but Moma trades them out for jellies, etc. EXERY THING HAS A USE. It may not be immediately seen, but hang onto it for a while.... which could take some time. Take the time.
