Last week I was very excited to get some new tools – the first in a long time!
I had some new designs brewing in my mind, and realised that I simply couldn’t make them with the tools I currently had. So, some shopping was in order – don’t you just love getting new tools to play with?
The first thing I bought – pretty much on a whim – was this wooden dapping block. Wooden ones are much cheaper than the steel equivalent, so I thought I’d get the cheaper one to play with first.
Then, I saw this beautiful thing! It’s a steel plate for hammering upon – isn’t it lovely?! I especially like the wooden base.
Until now I have always used my teeny-tiny anvil – but this will make it easier to hammer bigger pieces.
And, finally, the thing I actually went looking for to start with! A ‘third hand’.
The purpose of this tool is to hold things in place while I solder them together. I need this to make some of the new earrings I have planned, like those you can see below (a little sneak peek into a few works-in-progress).
When did you last buy a new tool for your business or hobby?
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The last thing I bought was two meters of linen – a lovely dark forest green and a dark brown – this weekend. It was incredibly hard not to buy much, much more but I’m already running out of room to store what I do have 🙂
I just spent over $200 on 30 yards of gorgeous Amy Butler fabric… I was like a kid on Christmas opening that package… so delicious looking. Time to start sewing!
I don’t need tools, I need supplies, I am just now working on an order for stone beads, amethyst, peridot, crystal. They are so beautiful I want them all.
Love! Can’t wait to see the new designs, Jess (:
The last tools I bought were…a bench block like yours, a cup-bur, nylon-jaw pliers and jump ring mandrels. I started making hand-forged earring wires (:
Oooh Jess, I’m so excited for you! New tools to play with – and I can’t wait to see the creations you have in mind. I just love your playful-yet-minimal style.
I haven’t bought anything yet, but after starting my metalsmithing lessons I’m pretty excited to get myself a jeweller’s saw, bench peg, and then get started on setting up a soldering station. Oh, metal, how I love you…
Just got a big box full of binding delivered today so I can finish off some flag bunting….weeeeeee…
Jess I can’t believe you have gone this long without a soldering clamp – even I have one of those (stolen from hubby and locked in my locker!! shhhhhh). Have fun with your new tools
I luuurv a good dapping block! You’ll be having a lot of fun, I’m sure!
Haven’t bought any new tools of late except another packet of dressmaking pins…. but I DID splurge at the op shop today and bought 11 (yes, eleven) great fabric remnants and 3 vintage tablecloths 🙂
Ohhh, I have just ordered a whole lot of supplies, too… ;D
I purchased a ring mandrell and sizer and haven’t even been able to use them yet.
Also, I got a lovely white hand display for rings and bracelets, which I am using in pictures.
I bought some professional beading wire cutters a pair of heavy duty sewing scissors. My cutting tools were in desperate need of an upgrade! Now the simple task of cutting should be much less difficult.
Your third hand looks awesome! I bet that will be a super handy little gadget. Your earring sneak peak looks way cool too!