Day 12 - Organizing

After the 3 day stretch of pedestal reconfiguring it was time to think about tool placement. 

Day 9, 10 & 11 - The Pedestals!

So an unnamed museum brought these really awesome pedestals to me.  However, the damn things were too high for me to use.  Hummm... what to do... if only there was a woodshop!?!

Bet you want to see the finished product!  Well you gotta check out Day 12!

Day 8 - And on the 8th day she rested

Nothing much on this day beyond hanging out with my BFF's at Happy Hour!  Everyone needs a well deserved break!

Day 7 - Tool Set Up and Testing

Since the tools were reconditioned and honestly it's good practice whenever you purchase a new tool, each tool should be gone over with a round of general maintenance.

The first step is to remove all machine oils that they are packed with to prevent rust.  With the aid of some rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol, first give all surfaces a good wipe down. 

Secondly, using a scour pad, (3M green) remove any rust or spotting that may be on the machine surfaces. 

Third, wax.  A good paste wax that is white in color is applied then buffed off.  Other waxes can be used (i.e. beeswax, Canuba) however they may affect the wood itself in the long run.

After the conditioning and testing, the work bench went up.

Note: this work bench required the aid of an assistant... be sure to have fully stocked beer to keep your assistant happy!

Day 6 - oh the tools!

By day 6 it was time... what was the point of a studio without the damn tools?!?  It was time to go shopping.

I always seem to have this great karma when it comes to sales. Or maybe it's just the shopping diva in me that my mother created long ago.  In any event, Sears's recon/parts section had not only marked down tools at a price break for being reconditioned, but also an additional 40% off. 

Reconditioned tools - reduces the carbon foot print.  These are tools that still have a full warranty as if they were new, but purchasing them also is "green" as it limits items that would have otherwise been added to a landfill!!!

Here are my scores:

Drill press : Reg. $169 My price $89
Combo belt/disc sander: Reg. $119 My price $55
6" Professional grade jointer: Reg. $799 My price $309
Professional grade jigsaw: Reg. $129 My price $33
2 Gal air compressor: Reg. $109 My price $ 47
Table saw: (price mistake by Sears) Reg. $289 My price $229 (NEW)

Day 6 also brought the pedestal move.  I got a hold of some pedestals from the gallery that were extras.  My idea was to cut them down and use them for tool stands.  But with the help of Michael and his truck we spend the evening moving them into my studio.

The evening brought Todd Lowe and Villians Tavern!  Yay LA Hoot!

Day 5 - Breathe easy!

Okay, so I bought the awesome clean air system that doesn't need outside ducting.  It cycles the air of 1184 cubic feet 12 times in an hour!!!! And, it's freakin' copper! :)

Calling in the Calvary... day 5 brought Stacey and Felipe in to help out!

The night took Felipe and I to a sweet little cocktail bar and pizza joint where I found sugar free soda made in Rhode Island!!!

Day 4 - Steampunkin' it out!

The trim on the floor was my goal, then the craziness happened when I found these awesome vintage style bulbs.  Armed with cans of hammered copper spray paint bright shiny objects came to life.

The trim by the way... major pain in the ass!  Since the floor had to float tack nailing into concrete was not so easy... solution... silicone and duct tape!

Day 3... The floor!

I had a half brained idea to make a pallet wood floor... when I came to my senses and realized I didn't want to spend the next month milling pallet wood to put on the floor I went on the hunt to find some alternate options. 

The floor was a means for comfort. (yes I can be a princess) I wanted to be able to have something soft to walk on on my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night!

I scored some laminate flooring and carpet at the depot.  This was my first experience installing flooring which I didn't realize had two different types.  One that needs glue and one that doesn't.  The space I'm in has to have removable everything so I knew I would have to float everything.  Anyhow... here's day one of the floor install.

Day 2... Painting fun!

Aside from spending the first two days moving things in, the walls were only drywall skimmed... translation, they were raw to plaster and susceptible to staining/water damage.  I chose white walls so that anything needing to be photographed against them could be achieved. 

Tip:  for trim work get yourself a cub brush.  It is tapered and has a short handle and if you are careful makes for a money and time saver over taping. 

Day 1 - The Gross Bathroom!

Things never go the way you think, but sometimes they work in your favor!

I get the keys, I'm ready to go and the place is a mess... there's crap left around the main space, it's dirty and the bathroom... oh the friggen bathroom...

I agreed to do the clean up thinking I didn't want to wait another day.  Something about being homeless for two months just wasn't appealing anymore.  I figured I'd get some kind of break on the deposit but I didn't think the break would be so awesome.

No deposit and 3 months of security/building fees waived... savings... $1800!  Elbow grease pays!!!

The Building...

Introduction...

So everyone seems to keep asking me now that I'm done with my thesis (MFA - CSULA - Sculpture) "so what's next?" 

I'm diving in... I've made the commitment... I'm attempting to put together a studio so I can claim myself to be well, an artist!?!

Follow along as I sarcastically bitch and scream for joy on this new venture...

be advised I will probably contradict my every word