Day Job- Not To Be Confused With Working For The Man...

Hey people. Some of you already know being an un-agented (so far), unpublished (yet) novelist doesn't pay too well. Like many writers I also have a day job (no, not the crime fightin', gold pants wearin', super hero gig, that's volunteer work). My day job happens to be funner that most. (Yep, know that's not a real word, just don't care) I'm an artist. I weld metal artwork.

These here are my new digs. When we moved two years ago I gave up a huge 30 x 45 shop and have been working in our driveway, weather permitting. Yeah. I live in Minnesota, so that has made my job considerably more part time since the move. But now-- yay-- year round (paid) employment once again!

This is the view from the front door.

This is the view from the back door. As you can see it's not very big, but I'm actually glad I was forced to make due with no space for the last couple of years because it made me see I didn't really need as much space as I thought. I can get by in my new little 14 x 20 shop just fine.

It's actually an old garage my husband found on the free market. It was built in 1934, and lived in Minneapolis before he disassembled it and moved it here. He's spent the last two years rebuilding it and fixing it up on weekends and after work. We did it as we could afford to, saving up for the roof, floor etc. as we went. We found windows and doors at salvage places and on Craig's and the free market. Neither of us likes to be in debt. Weird this day in age I know.

Dan may not be into my writing, or really into art even, but I don't know many husbands who would be this supportive of their wife's creative spirit. He knows I needs ta do my thing, and he helps any way he can. I'll keep him I guess.

This is my little work station, my workbench, welder, belt sander, and giant chalkboard I use for sketching ideas and tracking shows etc.

Here is some cool steel waiting to get made into something. Pretty huh?

This is my view. Not bad huh? I live basically in paradise (try not to hate me). If you click on the pic you'll see a bluff up in the woods. That's main street of the small town I live in. you'd never know it, but I can easily walk right downtown. I live down on a wedge of land along a river. Hardly anyone even knows we're down here.

This is my adorable blue toolbox.

This is all my gear.

Here's some more-- my hammer collection and all my tests from welding and blacksmithing schools.

These are my favorites though-- my hefty blue hammer and what's that other one? Come on, you know this-- yep-- my slag hammer.

This old bakery rack has been converted into my treasure trove. Want to see inside?

Okay.

This is glass I collected from busted up cars at the junk yard. It looks like jewels or magic or something to me. The cord I soak in vinegar and use to make rust patterns on the steel.

I'm also really into rocks and sticks and stuff.

Hmm, what's in these?

Oh yeah, more treasure- burnt up copper sheets and driftwood.

What's this a close-up of? That's right-- slag. As you know I spend a lot of time and effort ridding the world of this. Thank God for good music so I can bang away to the beat at least.

I did begin a project, for someone who's been waiting far longer than they should have. You'll just have to check back in to see what it turns out to be.

My shop is 99% done. there is one important kink still being worked out with ventilation. My old shop didn't have anything in place so I used to just crack a window. This left me with something pretty close to black lung disease. Now I'm healthy, but need to stay that way. We're experimenting with various fans and duct work etc, and should have that resolved pretty fast.

Have a good day. Try to shake it at some point. Yesterday my iPod was really in sync with me-- Joan Jett, The Who, Queen, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Delta Spirit, Beck... Every song seemed to be perfect. Looking forward to getting out there again today. See ya.