Safety Tips in the Wood Shop

 

Let’s talk safety in the wood shop. Here are a few tips to follow while you’re working:
1. Wear the appropriate workwear. No loose or dangling clothing or jewelry.
2. Always use sharp blades and tips. Dull blades can be very dangerous.
3. When changing out blades, make sure to disconnect power source beforehand.
4. Check for nails, screws, and other metal pieces in wood before you work with it.
5. Never reach over the blades. Use a push stick to move cut off wood.
6. Always be patient and careful. When you rush, you’re more likely to make mistakes.
7. Keep the shop clean. This helps the work flow and prevents accidents.
Take a look at Rachel’s outfit. It’s easy to move around in, sturdy, and safe to wear to work. 
El Paso Utility Vest, Short-Sleeve Signature T-Shirt, Relaxed-Fit Canvas Kane Dungaree, & Billings Safety Glasses.

Do It Yourself: Mixed Media Collage with Faina of Popps Packing

When it comes to being creative and artistic, it can be tough to know where to start. It often helps to have a guide or inspiration to serve as a jumping off point. Faina Lerman of Popps Packing in Detroit creates mixed media masterpieces. She’s going to walk you through the steps to make some art on your own.

Supplies:

• Matt medium
• Bristol board or watercolor paper
• Watercolor paint or gouache
• Drawing Materials of choice: pencils, markers, highlighters and pens.
• Collage cut outs (small pieces from magazines like national geographic, newspapers or fashion magazines.
• A cup of water
• Paper towel
• Small watercolor brushes

Step 1: cut out collage pieces to have on hand before you begin. Choose things that have interesting colors and shapes. Make sure to cut out shapes carefully and include details. Make the shapes interesting not just a square or a circle, it is fun to reconfigure some of the images. For example, cut out a zebra in the shape of a frog.

Step 2: create an atmospheric color field on your paper. This will be the background for the collage. Try not to over work it. Use a wash or watery mixture of the colors. Think of the sky or a foggy day.

Step 3: pick out a few collage pieces to arrange on the paper. Play around with the composition. Do not glue anything until you are completely happy with the arrangement.

Step 4: mix some matt medium with water. Using your small brush paint the medium on the back of the cut out. Cover it completely. Place the collage piece on the paper and give it a quick brushing over the top to secure it in place. Try to brush out all the wrinkles.

Step 5: Let it dry. This is a good time to start another. I work on multiple pieces at one time.

Step 6: draw some marks or designs on the paper to enhance the image or to give it some extra layers. This creates a nice added texture to the collage.

take a look at Faina’s outfit here:  Carhartt Women’s Coleharbor Hoodie & Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt

 

 

How Seasons Can Affect Horses

I don’t know about you, but this never-ending winter is getting to me. Have you ever wondered how seasons can affect your animals? I did a little reading on how the year’s changes can bring about certain transformations in horses. Here are some tidbits of what I learned:

Spring expedites the growth of grass. Again, you’ll see spikes in potassium and nitrates. The warmer temperatures and damp conditions are prime for fungus producing myco-toxins. Watch out for Rye Grass staggers. With the increased grass, your horse can gain weight. Too much weight gain can put your horse at risk for type 2 diabetes. If you fear your horse is eating too much, a grazing muzzle may be your solution.

Summer climates allow grass growth to continue. Again, spikes in potassium and nitrates should be on your mind. Horses tend to be more relaxed during dry summers. Always have drinking water readily available. Just like humans, horses need more water on hotter days.

Autumn brings a big change in grass, often with lower sodium content and higher potassium and nitrate levels. Fungus can thrive during this season too, possibly producing myco-toxins. Take head if your horse is ill or starts to stagger. They may need to be moved to a safer spot with better conditions. When the soil is wet for a long period of time, your horse can feel tender footed after rain.

Winter slows the growth of grass, which will help lower levels of potassium and nitrates. In some cases, grass will even become dormant. Horses burn more magnesium during colder months. Make sure you are still providing the vitamins and minerals found in hard feed (especially calcium and magnesium).  Keep your horse warm and dry. Horse safe hay is great for this.

All in all, keep an eye on your horse for any changes in behavior. If you can make them more comfortable, do so. Make sure to seasonally adjust their diets so that they receive the nutrition they may lack at certain times of the year. Here’s to hoping spring comes swiftly, but for now you should bundle up.

Check out Alison‘s work wear here: Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Berkley Jacket, Dartford Denim Shirt, & Jasper Jeans

Advice on Passion Projects

This is Annie Yiling Wang, graphic designer by day and jewelry designer on the side. Jewelry making is a fun hobby that lets her use her hands as she unwinds. Getting crafty can be relaxing, while still putting visual skills into play. Annie approaches her designs as if they were a three dimensional pattern or collage. The different color combinations and materials form a wearable canvas. She even makes a lot of her own beads. Annie has found a way to make her side project profitable. A lot of artistic and crafty people spend much of their downtime making things that could be turned into a lucrative passion project.

Advice from Annie about selling your work:

• Find stores in your area. Don’t be shy about showing them your work.
• Have a type of client in mind and seek out places who may have a similar client base.
• Get creative with places your could sell your wares. Think outside of your market.

DIY: Valentines Under $10

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re all scrambling to figure out what to do for our loved ones. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, handmade gifts are the best. Here are a few quirky and inexpensive ideas to show someone you care. Be creative and put your own spin on whatever you’re making. Each personal touch will make your craft more heartfelt.

take a look at my crafting outfit here: Sandstone Berkley Vest, Carhartt Women’s Flannel, & 1889 Slim Double Front Dungaree

DIY: Hardware Candelabra

I made another trip to the hardware store to get inspiration this week, and it hit me– a candelabra made out of pipes! It’s different, sturdy, and easy to do. This is a great idea for a Valentine’s gift. Make a night out of it; pizza and beer by very rustic candlelight. Use some great textures to to set the table. Faux fur and wool blankets, a nice slab of wood for a flat surface, bamboo plates, his favorite beer, and a nice pizza pie are the perfect set up for a cozy night in. Forget the cards covered in pink hearts and get to the hardware store! This will be a piece you can keep around forever. It’s a fun conversation starter in the home and perfect for late-night picnics.
While you’re at it, cuddle up in this Carhartt Clarksburgh Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt & Copper Harbor Hat.

Winter Storm Ion

This Winter Storm Ion has swept the US by force. It seems like you can’t go anywhere without hearing about it. Understandably so, these plunging temperatures are the coldest that most places have experienced in the past 20 years.

I don’t look to anyone else besides Carhartt to keep me warm during the winter. You have to take a look at the new Carhartt Women’s Quick Duck Woodward Jacket. It’s 30% lighter than the traditional sandstone material, but just as durable and warm. It’s coated with Rain Defender™ durable water repellent technology to keep you dry, has tons of pockets, and even has a media port so you have easy access to your phone or ipod. I wore some of my favorite Carhartt snow storm accessories as I took a very chilly walk to capture a few images of the frozen city of Chicago. My camera quit working half-way through because of the negative temperatures.

Take a look at some of my trusted winter gear: Carhartt Women’s Quick Duck Woodward Jacket, Women’s Bayfield Trapper Hat, Carhartt Women’s Socks, & Carhartt Women’s Acrylic Headband 

Holly of Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland

The magic is in the hole! That’s what they say at Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland. Located right across from the “keep Portland weird” sign, Voodoo has been serving up crazy and delicious doughnuts for years. This is Holly. Dream up the wildest breakfast treat in your mind, and she can make it for you. You want bacon on your doughnut? Done! How about m&ms or Cocoa Puffs? Got that too. When you step into the shop, you feel like Alice in Wonderland with the crooked chandeliers and giant doughnuts hanging on the walls. And get this, they’re open 24 hours a day, so stop by anytime.

shop Holly’s look: Cheyenne Shirt, El Paso Pant, High Vis Suspenders, and Carhartt Hat

DIY: Giant Pom Beanie

It’s cold out there! Down vests, and Carhartt hats are the way to go. I personalized one of my hats by adding a giant pom pom. You can do it too, just follow the steps above. It’s a fun twist on a Carhartt classic.

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