Self-Care for Dinosaurs

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Just because you're a dinosaur, doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of yourself. 

In order to be the best dinosaur you can be, you must take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself isn't selfish or self-centered. 

Self-care is necessary.

Zucchini Flour - how to make it and a couple of recipes!

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It's zucchini season everyone! Yes, I'm still excited. I've processed more than 30lbs and have more to go, and more on the way! 

Over the years I've tried freezing, dehydrating, drying, dry canning homemade zucchini chips, making zukenoodles (zucchini noodles), and I have a recipe for zucchini relish I may try this year.

What's really exciting though, is zucchini flour! 

Make Crummy Stuff - You have to start where you are.

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This is a picture of me building the steps for my loft. Right at the top, you can see the extra piece I had to add because I miscalculated. Also, the steps totally didn't work. I had to add wider treads on top of this structure to use them easily.

Notes from the Atelier - 8/6/2020

at·el·ier

/ˌadlˈyā/

1: an artist's or designer's studio or workroom

It's been a couple years since I regularly posted my Work In Progress Wednesday (WIP) posts. I miss them. But not on Wednesdays in particular.

So here's my fancy fresh start on those posts. 

 August 6th, 2020 Notes from the Atelier:

 

It's Snailing!

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Phew! My semester is over and summer break has begun. 

Finals are in, final projects have been submitted, and one of my biggest semesters, both courseload and world-event wise, has come to a close.

While making many adjustments to the major plot-twist of the season, I made some cool stuff!

For a final project for one of my classes, I make woodcuts and printed some snails! 

Practicing Calligraphy

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If you follow me on social media, you might have noticed I've been having a lot of fun with calligraphy lately.

Laser Cutting, Letterpress Printing, and Laser Cutting to Letterpress Print

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Another semester at Smith College has come and gone. While there may be some relaxing in January, at the moment we're in full birthday/holiday/new years/new internship swing!

This semester I got to take a typography class with Barry Moser. In my almost 20 year journey as an Undergrad including four different community colleges in two different states, this was by far my favorite class I've ever taken.

Our first printing assignment was to fill an entire galley (the name for the metal tray where you compose your type) with wood type. My co-conspirator Anna and I made this. :)

I also learned that there's a design studio to support students in their endeavors where there's laser cutters, 3D printers, and a vinyl cutter among a lot of materials, tools, and rapid prototyping goodies.

After managing several levels of safetey training, I learned how to use the laser cutter. I played with the computer design program and then made a bunch of Bs. 

In the midst of it all, I made a little felted version of a beloved pet for some dear family friends. It passed the Jake test - our dog was pretty wary until he was able to sniff a little more closely.  

Later, over many of my blessedly long lunch breaks, I played around on the computer and cut out a bunch of earrings. They are the lightest, most comfortable earrings I've ever owned. 

I made some other pretty things out of 1/4" and 1/8' ply too.

Later, back in the press room, I wondered how to print curved text. Online I found someone selling a set of curved furniture (the name of the wood and metal pieces used to lock in the type so it doesn't wobble) for $80. Nope. I can make that. Back to the computer and I designed my own set. As "type high" is 0.9186 inches, I had to print three sets, glue them on top of each other and sand them completely smooth. 

It meant that I could do this.  I'm so thrilled with my projects, my classes, and my newly learned skills. 

I've also been accepted into the Book Studies program as my Concentration for my Studio Arts Major. Before I learned of the program, I was getting frustrated that the courses I thought I had to take were getting in the way of the classes I wanted to take - it turns out that they're all required for the Book Studies Concentration. 

One of the requirements is two 100+ hour internships. As I can only guarantee that I will be able to work hours that are built into my school days, in the week of finals I started a new internship at Big Wheel Press in Easthampton. 

Here's to even more! 

Wishing you all the best for a marvelous New Year! 

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A Month In Pictures 8/12 - 9/12/2019