To Do List: An Update
by Patty Lakinsmith
Since I laid it all out here a few weeks ago I thought I'd share a small amount of progress I've made on my To Do list. I've finished a custom bead order, and finished this lovely Meanie ring as a belated Christmas gift for a friend. I wish Meanies grew on bushes - how fun it would be to go outside and gather a bunch!
Cyndie does such wonderful work with this ring setting, don't you think? I just love it, and it's super comfortable to wear too.
I've also finished a little repair job on some friend's earrings (soldering a very tiny catch), and am very pleased that I didn't melt them into a blob. The catch even works pretty well now.
I'm also trying to get some order in my torching area, and glass storage is a big issue. When I first started torching I used far less glass, and the system of 2" PVC pipes I used to organize it just isn't large enough any more. I really liked the system that Lori Greenberg described in this blog post, but until recently had not been able to identify any local sources for what I learned is called "ribbed rail fencing". Until last week. I found a source and bought 2-16' lengths, and cut them down into 12" lengths. While the sections aren't the same size, I think it will work just fine as there are some colors I like to keep more of than others. Now I'm on the hunt at freecycle.org and Craigslist to find a cabinet with doors (ideally glass) to hold these sections - I want my glass to stay free of dust and rodentia.
The spring garden is also coming along, with pruning and clean up of gopher snack remnants (they love the roots of bronze sedge, BTW), first batch of potatoes planted, along with radishes, cucumbers, onions, basil and beets. After a little web research I'm leaning more toward a potato bag than a potato tower, but I'm hedging my bets and putting some in big black pots too. Now if the sun would just do her part and make herself a more regular part of our days up here I'd be happier.
It's a small start, and I'm hoping for more torch time in the next few weeks. It's been too long.
I'm also trying to get some order in my torching area, and glass storage is a big issue. When I first started torching I used far less glass, and the system of 2" PVC pipes I used to organize it just isn't large enough any more. I really liked the system that Lori Greenberg described in this blog post, but until recently had not been able to identify any local sources for what I learned is called "ribbed rail fencing". Until last week. I found a source and bought 2-16' lengths, and cut them down into 12" lengths. While the sections aren't the same size, I think it will work just fine as there are some colors I like to keep more of than others. Now I'm on the hunt at freecycle.org and Craigslist to find a cabinet with doors (ideally glass) to hold these sections - I want my glass to stay free of dust and rodentia.
The spring garden is also coming along, with pruning and clean up of gopher snack remnants (they love the roots of bronze sedge, BTW), first batch of potatoes planted, along with radishes, cucumbers, onions, basil and beets. After a little web research I'm leaning more toward a potato bag than a potato tower, but I'm hedging my bets and putting some in big black pots too. Now if the sun would just do her part and make herself a more regular part of our days up here I'd be happier.
It's a small start, and I'm hoping for more torch time in the next few weeks. It's been too long.
