Tools!

It is no secreet I love tools. Janis is convinced I have at least three of every tool every made, but that simply is not true. There are a few tools I do not yet own - even in quantities of one. But with each project there is always an expense attributed to each job and that is a little money reserved for a new tool or two. Sometimes I even design with a new tool in mind - the perfect excuse to invest in something new and exciting!

Back when we had a large crew it was the perfect opportunity to stock up on quality tools. When the company was purposely downsized I didn't get rid of any of my tools. It is always handy to have a spare or two tucked away - just in case.

The other day we were reviewing our insurance policy for our shop and Janis brought out a partial list of the tools we had. Most of the tools were not even on the list. The total value shocked me just the same. Tools, especially quality ones are not inexpensive. I do not view a tool as an expense - but rather an investment in our future. My tools I enable me to do amazing things. 

It seems this love of tools is something that is in our genes. My dad loved tools. My brothers also love tools. My kids love tools too. And now as Phoebe comes into my shop she loves to use my tools too and she has a drawer reserved just for hers in my toolbox cabinets.  She is my kind of girl!

-grampa dan

Continually raising the bar

These past week it seems was the time for making mistakes and corrections and adjustments of all kinds of things. Sometimes it was me, other times things changed and the work we had done simply needed to be altered or changed. It is the way things are done on occcasion - all in the interest of making the project better. Each time I would sit down with the client and contractor to decide how best to make it happen in such a way that the project would not be compromised, nor add to the price. Each time the customer would smile at me and simply state they knew I could do it - for that is why they hired me. According to them I was good and I knew how to do these kind of things.

It's something I seem to face a lot. The better I get, the higher the expectations. Every project must be better than the last. So the bar gets continually raised.

One of the ajustmentsneeded was because the mirrors were simply too low. After some discussion it was decided they needed to be three inches taller. The difficulty was two of the four frames were already done and the other two were well into production. My client expressed her confidence I could fix things up - without a trace - for she had see me pull off similar magic previously. The challenge was on. I used every trick I could muster, staggering the cuts, and blending things seamlessly as possible. I know my client reads this blog and I know nothing will get by unnoticed, but I'll even post a picture of the patch in progress, giving away where the cuts were made.

Monday morning the project will get the next inspection and we'll see if it passes.

I'm not worried and in fact am far past this little job. I am on to the NEXT challenge... raising the bar once more.

-grampa dan

Workshop mania

Workshops are a lot of fun for me to do. But they also require many hours of preparation and planning time as well. The Toronto edition of the Sign Magic Workshop hosted by MultiCam - Canada is now only ten days away. Preparations have been underway for weeks. The materials and supplies have been ordered. Their MultiCam CNC machine is busy churning out the sample pieces needed for the students to practice their painting techniques.  Yesterday I went to the art supply store and stocked up on my brush and paint supply. The pace of preparation will pick up considerably in the next few days I'm sure.

This morning we recieved word that our Workshop in Kiev, Ukraine has been postponed for a few months and moved to Moscow. That is an exciting developmment to say the least. With our large project still very much underway here I am just a little relieved with the new plans.

But meanwhile the preparations for the two workshops to be held here in our shop in September/October are in full gear. I started routing the needed sample pieces yesterday for the Sign Magic Workshop. The router will run steady the next few days to do them all. I'm happy to report that the Sculpting Magic Workshop is having some pretty talented and skilled people sign up. It is going to be a great workshop! I will do my best to pull out all the stops to make sure the program exceeds everyone's expectations. 

And the Sign Magic Workshop planned for Orlando in November is very much on my mind. We are now making our travel arrangements with some extra time booked on the trip as well for a little fun and relaxation.  

Although exciting, it feels like I am being pulled in a bunch of directions at once at times. Being fully prepared well in advance gives me peace of mind and makes it all much more enjoyable. It is going to be a busy and fun fall season!

-grampa dan