by lorigreenberg on April 17, 2010
Back to my recent retail therapy…there were a couple things that related to bead making/selling/organizing, etc. So, to stay on topic, here’s the latest acquisitions:
I found a new office for my mom at a church garage sale. And she was really really happy. This rolling organizer was only $8. It was new, never used and I can’t even imagine what they go for in the craft store.
So, how is this an office for my mom? Well…she helps me at my bead and studio shows. She’s a very organized person and although she never says it, I know that it probably drives her crazy when she has to search all over my boxes to build herself a working space at the shows. She is in charge of my money, receipts, credit card transactions, wrapping, etc. So, when I told her that this is going to be her office for the shows she was really excited.
She can pack into it what she wants, how she wants it and everything will be in one place. Calculator, order books, credit card machine, tissue paper, bags, boxes, tape, stapler, etc. I was very excited too because we can pack it once and then just put it away between shows. (yes, I have office supplies in duplicate for my office and for shows).
The next item, I’m not sure what it is…maybe a spice rack?
Two dollars. I am now using it as a tool rack. You may wonder…’you have two sets of supplies for shows and your office, but you don’t already have a tool rack?’ And you would be right on track. I have a few things that I’ve tried to use for my wire working and metal smithing hand tools. I haven’t grown to love any of them. This is another attempt.
For two bucks, I figured I couldn’t go wrong. I have since found that it is a great way to store small spools of wire and cording in the bottom half. I like it.
by lorigreenberg on May 26, 2009
You may think this can’t happen to you. You’re strong, healthy and it sounds ridiculous that doing the same thing over and over could cause damage.
You’re wrong.
I recently noticed that when removing beads from the mandrel there was some pain in my thumb. I dealt with it for a while thinking maybe it would go away. It didn’t. I noticed the joint started to look a little larger than the other hand. I went to the doctor and found out that I have a repetitive stress injury, a form of tendonitis that is causing the pain.
While that doesn’t sound good in itself, it sounds even worse to someone who depends on their hands for their livelihood…not only their livelihood, but for the thing that gives them a lot of pleasure in their life too. So, the first course of action before the splint above? Medication and ice packs twice a day. A medication stronger than ibuprofen and tough on the stomach.
While I got some relief from both (the ice feels really good) this, combined with limiting the stressing activities, did not show improvement in my condition. However, it hasn’t gotten worse. I went today and now have this splint that I need to wear 24 hours a day for two weeks then check back in. Luckily, I won’t be torching for those two weeks so my thumb can rest however, even writing and gripping anything aggravates it and I do a lot of that.
Art Jewelry Magazine has a great article this issue (July 2009) by Sharon Elaine Thompson about caring for your hands, specially geared towards jewelry makers and crafts people. I’ve tried a few of the tips and they really work. Things like:
- Stopping to stretch every 20 minutes. I do it every 30 minutes. I have a yoga blanket in my studio and I lay down and do some twists to stretch my spine and back, my neck and shoulders and arms. Did you know that some repetitive injuries in your hands can actually start up in your neck and shoulders? I definitely feel the tension in my neck.
- Oxygenate your body. Did you know that it’s lack of oxygen to your muscles that can lead to muscle fatigue which helps to create repetitive stress injuries? You should read the article about this. It’s very interesting. Sharon talks about your working conditions and other ways to make sure your body is getting enough oxygen. I’ve noticed that I hold my breath sometimes when I’m working. I try to make sure to do some deep breathing when I feel that happening.
- Posture and position. It’s not enough to just sit up straight. There are other things that contribute here. Did you know that there is a healthy working triad? Posture, force and repetition. And that it’s ok for one to be out of line for a little while? Ideally all should be correct but that’s not always possible.
Sharon gives 16 tips for preventing repetitive stress injuries and you should do as many as possible of them NOW. That is why it’s called prevention.
So, what is the next step for me? The doctor says that if the splint doesn’t work that surgery could be the course. The chiropractor says it could be a calcium build up from the stress and there is a supplement that can break down extra calcium in the body. Sunday I see the acupuncturist that cured my carpal tunnel years ago.
As Sharon states in her article, “The treatment you can usually least afford when an RSI reaches screaming intensity is rest from your work for weeks or months.” So, I am trying everything else I can first.
Don’t let this happen to you. And read the Art Jewelry Magazine article. It’s the best and most practical I’ve read on the subject and it gives many things you can do for prevention that are easy and do-able.
What are your working habits? What do you do that is good and what can you change?
by lorigreenberg on February 12, 2009
This is what I came home to after Tucson:
Well, not really. This is what my studio looked like after bringing in the trunks for my show display and started cleaning a bit. You know what they say…it gets worse before it gets better. Holy moly, where did all this stuff come from?
So, two days of cleaning later, this is where I am with it:
At least, that’s one corner of the studio. It’s where I do beading work and basically the catch-all for things that come into the studio…mail, supplies, anything else that I don’t feel like putting away at the moment. That big black patch is fabric over the window. I have shutters that let streams of light in and I just can’t have that when I’m taking pictures. I’ll come up with a better solution some day but for now that’s it.
I also rigged up the fabric to hide all of the open storage under the counter. It’s cleaned out but still nice not to see the boxes in there.
The torch and metalsmithing area is clean now too. I have such a hard time photographing it because it’s all stainless steel but here goes:
I still need to clean out that rolling cart to the left of my stool. And the cabinets could use some work. But, at least the things that show are neater.
Metalwork area closer up:
Sink area close-up:
I found SIX boxes FULL of beads that just need to GO:
There are going to be a LOT of Ten Buck sales happening in the coming days/weeks/months so be watching! Make sure you’re on the mailing list because they go fast!
AND I am still preparing for the $500 of free beads from me contest. I was waiting for a call from a Tucson customer. You see, our credit card machines weren’t working at the show so I wrote down the number manually. And I wrote it down WRONG! Not something you want to to with $220 on the line! So, that is 8 entries for her and I wanted to determine whether she was eligible or not before I did the drawing. She called today and all is well. There IS good in the world. So that will be coming soon.
I’ll also be back with thoughts on this year in Tucson too. So much to do, so much to do. But, rather than bore you with my to-do list, how about I tell you about things when I get them done and have something to show for it?
Off to the stu, as is the lingo these days…
