I look down at my hands and wnder why I didn't take of picture of those lovely extensions of my work. This gal has some working hands. On occasion (maybe twice a year) I go get a manicure. It takes weeks for me to go because I know the next day I am apt to be cooking rubber, or digging in the dirt, or chopping down shrubs or some of the other things that I cannot seem to control myself about. I am a tomboy that loves prissy clothes. Even at 55 I am just the same as when I was five.
So a whole bunch of people took advantage of a sale I offered recently. I always say in the newsletter that I work alone and it will take weeks to get all the work done, but due to enthusiasm of the discount folks just don't notice and I get a ton of email from people loking (patiently) for their orders. So I want to do a video of my little operation real soon, but in the meantime here are a few shots of what goes on behind the scenes.
I try to do about 30 orders at a time and each order can range from one stamp to thirty stamps.Some of us have a stronger addiction than others and I am here to serve you! I make a llst of what is needed and I go to the area of my office where I have all the manufacturing set up. The house that is my office is NOT where I live and is a cute little house that is two miles from my home. The area is just darling and has become commercial (another story another blog).
Then I go through the list of stamps that need to be made and pull from individual bins any wood or rubber that may be prepared and then I make the rest. Here is a look at wood I had to "index" for one order last week. This is the process where I ink an image on a block of wood to identify each stamp. I learned most of this technique from Chuck and Paula, formerly of Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper Stamps. Paula now has a great paper/stamp kit club called oddly enough, Paula's Kit Club.
I digress, but here is a look at the wood for one order.
Please note the "grey box" in the upper center. That is my hi-tech, state of the art, 20 pound, black and white TV. I bought that about 26 years ago with my first credit card...from Sears. It is so faithful and has gone many places. I can drag it all over and have watched the horror of 911, the advice of Oprah and now I indulge myself in the mornings with The View. (I love Joy and Whoopie) In June, I will sadly say good by to my old pal, and TV at work, due to the digital transition. I can always get informed via my computers. And music is better when you work. Better for your head and soul, but I do like the little bugger.
Here is another view into my glamorous life.
These stamps all have to sit and dry and while that is going on I figure out the rubber I need. Then I cook sheets of this creating a lovely aroma of rubber. Luckily I have installed a huge vent to prevent this smell from completely swaddling my body and rendering me unfit to interact in society.
I cook alot of these sheets and mount them to foam cushion. I cut out what I need and file the rest away. Putting things away in the proper spot is a necessary evil of this enterprise. I do not like that part at all, but I am pretty diciplined and do it begrudgingly.
One more little picture to share is of my trusty saw. This is a top of the line German scroll saw made by Hegner. She is a creme puff and we are pretty tight. I have another one out in the garage. I bought it when I had a boat load of employees. I need to sell it but I just cannot seem to get it together. Must be too busy getting my hands dirty.
So this take two full days to prep for thirty orders. Oh and I still have to enter the invoices and pack the boxes and run the charge cards. I llok forward to seeing my mailman and UPS man. They are rare faces that enter my world and I am more than excited to see them. I am sure they feel as strongly about seeing me, but they are real nice.
I just don't want you loyal and patient customers to think for one minute I am sitting over here on a chaise lounge, indulging in bon bons. No way kiddies, I am working and working hard. But I play hard too!