Chris Hayes
12-03-2009, 11:51 PM
So back in August I got run over by this wonderful economy...well more like laid off because 1 individual had issues with me --a long story that I'd rather not get into right now.
Mentally I flipped the switch to make my job to look for a new job and that's what I've been doing for almost 4 months. Well, a friend of a friend got in touch with me with positions (yes plural..that shocked me too) that seemed to be a fit. After much interviewing, I got to choose the position I thought was most interesting to me. (I've never had that opportunity..ever.)
So with that monkey off my back and much discipline on not playing when I should be working on getting back to work; I was finally able to start getting back out to play behind the lathe -- something I sorely missed (and it was just the other side of the wall from my office).
Since the middle of November I've been able to get out and make a few things. The first piece is one I've posted in the past, but it wasn't finished -- the gumball is Bradford Pear finished with Tung and -now- several coats of lacquer (for the shiny gumball that I wanted). The set of Sierras were/are a commission from a neighbor who wants them for Christmas Gifts--The two outer ones are a "Hawaiian rainforest wood" (if my seller would tell me what it really was I'd tell you all) the second and fourth pens are Black-n-white Ebony. The third/middle pen is spalted Maple from another neighbor's yard (see bigger picture in next post for what it looks like in large form). The third pic is my first attempt at a rollerball kit from WC. I have to say that this has really grown on me --both to write with and to have in hand. The second pen here is an American Twist (also from WC)-- which I absolutely hate. This one is for the neighbor who gave me the Maple -- but it took 4 kits to get this to a functional pen. The hardware was just junk..I -won't- be making that again (besides it uses a Parker insert which I can get on the Sierra's for the same quality of write).
(More)
Mentally I flipped the switch to make my job to look for a new job and that's what I've been doing for almost 4 months. Well, a friend of a friend got in touch with me with positions (yes plural..that shocked me too) that seemed to be a fit. After much interviewing, I got to choose the position I thought was most interesting to me. (I've never had that opportunity..ever.)
So with that monkey off my back and much discipline on not playing when I should be working on getting back to work; I was finally able to start getting back out to play behind the lathe -- something I sorely missed (and it was just the other side of the wall from my office).
Since the middle of November I've been able to get out and make a few things. The first piece is one I've posted in the past, but it wasn't finished -- the gumball is Bradford Pear finished with Tung and -now- several coats of lacquer (for the shiny gumball that I wanted). The set of Sierras were/are a commission from a neighbor who wants them for Christmas Gifts--The two outer ones are a "Hawaiian rainforest wood" (if my seller would tell me what it really was I'd tell you all) the second and fourth pens are Black-n-white Ebony. The third/middle pen is spalted Maple from another neighbor's yard (see bigger picture in next post for what it looks like in large form). The third pic is my first attempt at a rollerball kit from WC. I have to say that this has really grown on me --both to write with and to have in hand. The second pen here is an American Twist (also from WC)-- which I absolutely hate. This one is for the neighbor who gave me the Maple -- but it took 4 kits to get this to a functional pen. The hardware was just junk..I -won't- be making that again (besides it uses a Parker insert which I can get on the Sierra's for the same quality of write).
(More)