Ideas for raw materials to bring:
(NOTE: This part is just a list of possibilities, NOT a requirements list. Don't overload yourself with stuff, as air travel is becoming more and more restrictive. Pick a few shoeboxes worth of things to pack, and that should be plenty to choose from!) Please find the REQUIRED TOOLS list below this section.
Ideas for the housing:
- broken box cameras or appliances
- small scraps of wood or small readymade found boxes
- cigar boxes
- tin cans
- medicine or candy tins
- small wooden or metal drawers
- clock cases
- jewelry boxes
- hand mirrors
- old picture frames
- ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
Ideas for the guts:
- glass scraps
- acrylic paint
- eating utensils
- electronics / machine parts
- personal effects or memorabilia
- letters
- documents
- postcards
- maps
- photos
- stamps
- fabrics
- buttons
- keys
- record albums
- audio cassettes
- eyeglasses or magnifying glasses
- medical tools
- dental tools
- interesting old pencils or pens
- toys
- dominoes
- dice
- game pieces
- artifacts: religious or secular
- bones
- feathers
- leaves
- acorns
- insects
- straw
- stones
- eggshell
- bark
- teeth
- fossils
- pressed flowers
- screws
- washers
- hinges
- hooks
- nails
- x-rays
- keys
- ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
Get the picture?
The list could go on forever, because nothing you bring CAN'T be used!
It's really a list to perhaps spark some inspiration on your end for what to pack. Any small objects that you find interesting for any ole reason should be brought.
Resourses for objects:
- thrift / junk / antique shops
- scrap metal yards
- flea markets
- garage sales
- auctions
- antique / ephemera fairs
- hardware stores
- art / craft supply stores
Freesource for objects:
- roadsides
- parking lots
- beaches
- woods (bush to the Commonwealthers!)
- abandoned buildings
- dumps
- dumpsters (only for the strong-stomached)
- caves
- eaves
- attics
- neighbors' attics
- friends' eaves...
REQUIRED TOOLS:
The tools below are things you will be certainly using in the workshop, and to avoid having to wait for a communal tool to become available, you should plan on getting them for the class:
Hand drill.
A cordless, variable-speed hand drill is perfect and will be one of the most useful tools in your home, trust me! Here is one for $30 that fits the bill: http://toolprice.com/product/1292L Be sure to charge up the battery before getting to the class! For those who don't want to get the electric drill, Fiskars makes a good and very inexpensive one (like under $15!): http://www.yourartsncrafts.com/fiskarsmanualdrill.html It isn't as versatile, but it will work in a pinch.
a regular hammer
(of the kind everyone has sitting around in the tool drawer)
standard-sized hacksaw
(if you know someone else going, you can share with some friends, so not everyone needs one)
a regular pair of utility pliers
jewelry pliers:
a round-nose, flat-nose, side cutter (if you don't have any jewelry pliers, here's an inexpensive well-made set of four:
http://www.gesswein.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?cat=2?=3&subsub=63&catalog=1&CFID=119556&CFTOKEN=8296871
and click on the link that says 'Valueline Pliers, set of 4')
a small jewelry plier
with a serrated edge on the inside (gripping edge)
drill bits
(any standard hardware-store set of 'high-speed steel' drill bits)
extra 1/16" drill bit
roll of 're-bar tie wire'
(found for under $5 in hardware stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!) Note: You don't need to bring the whole roll, just spool off perhaps 10 feet of wire and that will be fine. If someone is driving to the workshop and doesn't mind bringing a roll to share, please do!
small bench vise
(under a 4" jaw...most hardware stores have a few sizes)...there's a very small one displayed here: http://jasmeetinternational.com/106.htm
1 small bottle each of JO SONJA'S water-based VARNISHES:
Here's what they look like: http://www.josonjas.com/mediums/varn_matte_sat_gloss/varn_matte_sat_gloss.htm Available at most craft-supply stores like Michael's, etc.
- * DAP brand KWIK-SEAL Kitchen & Bath caulk- CLEAR: Available at Home Depot and other hardware stores...here's what it looks like: http://www.dap.com/retail/retail_detail.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=2&prodhdrid=7
jeweller's saw
(get one ideally with a 5" to 8" 'throat'...Gesswein has a 4.75" saw frame that will do it: http://www.gesswein.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?cat=2?=9&subsub=12&catalog=1&CFID=119556&CFTOKEN=8296871 and click on 187-1200 Flat Saw Frame 4 3/4")
saw blades
(get two sizes): http://www.gesswein.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?cat=2?=9&subsub=3&catalog=1&CFID=119556&CFTOKEN=8296871, 1 dz. of the 1 size (#185-0100) and 1 dz. of 2/0 size (#185-0020)
SUGGESTED TOOLS:
The tools below are not required for the class; they're helpful, so don't run out and buy them all. They would facilitate you to go in many directions with your work. Bring what you have, and call the workshop venue to check and see if they have some of these things on hand. Some studios are very well equipped, and some rely on students bringing what they need.
files
tweezers
mini drill bits
(there is a 13-bit set from Gesswein here: http://www.gesswein.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?cat=2?=13&subsub=4&catalog=1&CFID=119556&CFTOKEN=8296871 and scroll down to #155-2038 Blue Ribbon HS Twist Drills, Set of 13 and Metal Index Case)
screwdrivers
Tin snips
(Wiss makes the most commonly found one...you can see what they look like here:
circle / geometric templates
sandpaper
paint brushes / paints
...And any tools particular to a media you are conversant in...if you're a book artist, bring materials for binding, etc., painters bring your paints and sketchbooks...and those who've never ventured out into creative waters bring some junk and an open mind!
I look forward to a wild ride of exchange and creation with you all!
Please email me with any questions you might have that this page didn't address.
See you there! Keith
(To see a differently formatted supply list visit: http://www.lobue-art.com/shrines.html)