Refinishing

Today brought home another type case; this one had some 72 pt. font that I'm excited to print. And I started refinishing the wooden parts of the press. Had one of those, "Wow, I'm glad I took a before and after photo." See:

Rollers?

Remember that Evanescence song that used to play on the radio all the time? Along with some other parts of the song, there's the chorus about "bring me to life." Well. That's about how I think the rollers for my press feel. (Yes, I know, Evanescence song and printing rollers. I'm trying to figure out why, too.) They're cracked, have old ink hardened on them... really not fit for printing, but as new ones cost a fortune, I might as well give it a go.

Anyway. I hope they come back to life, because I really, really want to print.

Cards

I started feeling the itch to do something bookartsy--so I made cards. With stamps, true, but I did bother to register the cards and make sure that the stamps were as close to in the same spot as i could.

They aren't quite done, I think I'm going to add glitter, or googley eyes, or something.

First Job

Well. The rollers may not be on the press yet, I may need to buy new ink, and probably some paper... but I have a client! For business cards! So I get to dream those up until I do have rollers, ink, paper, and above 14ºF in the press shop. (That last one is probably the most important.)

And a new photo of the area, naturally, since posts are not very exciting without something to look at.

Snowy Upstate

For a little while at least, I'm going to try things in black and white. Even though I can't print yet, I'm still brainstorming and dreaming up projects. And, as you can see, taking photos of the local landscapes. Maybe that will be a printing project someday in the future?

New Year

Happy New Year!

Sadly, I haven't been able to do much in the printing realm, mostly because the entire print shop is hovering at about 20 degrees. In case you are interested, cast iron at 20 degrees F is mighty chilly, and it sucks all the heat out of your hands in about two seconds flat. So instead, I've been watching the snow fall, skiing, and knitting mittens.

And I've included a photo I took yesterday of the snow in the woods near the print shop!