Shed, microscope, ventilation and more

Everyday I find myself bouncing between many hard topics each time hitting an immovable object. More often than not it is a person whose beliefs don't align with my own. Not to go into too much detail but I haven't seen this much blatant racism/violence since I was a kid living in the south. People who I had known to be "good people" have revealed themselves as horrible humans. We are polarized as a country and everyday shocks me to my core.  

This is my new normal. ME: "Hey buddy how is it going?"  ASSHOLE: "Did you see those antifa fucks tore down another statue last night!?" ME: "What the fuck is wrong with you and why the fuck do you care!? Did you live there? Are you a person of color that has to look at that shit everyday!? Stop watching Fox News!" Inevitably, I find myself hoping that it is some twisted form of a joke because I don't want to give up on them as a human. But no. It is not. Some people are hot garbage. 

I have found it difficult to make anything so this platform is allowing me to evidence the non-jewelry "work" that I will call my "craft therapy". It has now become the only thing, besides Liz that can walk me back from that edge. I feel privileged that I have this as an outlet and hope, in the future, to build a practice that supports positive change. 

Now that we have converted our garage to a studio we have to build a shed (more on that in a future post). We have downsized quite a bit from our old studio. We went from 400 square feet to a little under 200 square feet. I have been trying to find ways to save space. 

So here is what I have done so far:  First, I put my computer on an arm so it can float independently from the table it was on. Doing this has freed up that table, which is on wheels and is now a mobile workbench.  

I have also converted my microscope to a HD LCD screen/microscope/camera/light. I will probably sell my old setup because this has both saved me a boatload of money and space. I had to 3D print a quick bracket to make it fit the articulating arm. It took about an hour to design and print. The camera is wireless, battery powered and uses a micro SD to record video and take pictures. I have so much room on the bench now and I don't have to keep taking my glasses off and on to use a microscope to set stones! 

We are also working on installing ventilation. After weighing multiple options I have decided to go with kitchen style range hood. After measuring, I bought the best one that fits our space. Not too big, not too small, just the perfect size. I want it to be streamlined and clean.