just a tease

I'm writing this first so I don't forget. I know that maybe 2 people in the universe are wondering, so no I am unfortunately not going to be showing at the National down in Ventura this weekend. I wish it would have worked out, but I have nothing to show. I'm going to wait til late winter/early spring to sell birds (please oh please don't anyone email and me what I'm selling, I don't know). Anyway, considering all that, I really couldn't justify making the trip. Sorry. :-(

I finished the almost-matched set of Colt .45 SAA pistol grips tonight, woo hoooooooo!! Well, technically I guess it's morning. *Yawn* They look AWESOME. I'll post what I can when I can. Here's a little tease though in case you have forgotten how teensy these things are. My thumb volunteered to pose for size reference:

Meet my new engraving vise stand:

You're thinking "but wait, that's a drill press." Yes, yes it is. And it's mine! Actually, the one in the box to the right is mine, but it'll look just like that one. And in fact I'm only using the lower part, the base and part of the post, and most importantly that round platform thingy. A friend of mine is going to use the top part... what most people would consider the functional part! So it was a little interesting explaining this at the store today...

checkout lady: would you be interested in the 3 year protection plan?
me: no thanks
guy helping me haul the thing: ooh, you really should, it's a good deal
me: well..... okay I hate to say this, but I'm actually going to have it cut in half. I'm using the lower half as part of an engraving bench, and a friend is taking the upper half to turn it into a radial drill press.
(flabbergasted people faces)
guy helping me haul the thing: wow, that is amazing
checkout lady then asks me to explain engraving and how this drill press helps me

I have to say it was pretty fun to say "I'd like to buy that drill press." Those words don't escape me too often.

Okay, so I'm not doing any scrim tomorrow, unless it's just a few more dots if I need to touch up the grips at all. I have 4 projects to sketch out, so I'll do that, plus some paperwork to catch up on. And I should probably start cleaning up the studio. The more organized it is, the easier it will be to take things out and put them back, currently scheduled for this weekend. Ooh new table should arrive tomorrow!

I'm putting flannel sheets on my bed, it's time. Tonight. And then I'm going to go to bed and I'm not getting up early.