Saturday, March 26, 2011

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend! (no, not THAT kind!!!!)


Now that's more like it. 
THOSE are the type of *diamonds* I am talking about! The type you can WORK WITH. heeheehee!
I am a tool girl. I just love them, and recently made a quick trip into a local supply store, only to come out with a small, heavy bag and a lighter wallet. That seems to be the way things work. But, in my defense, it was full of things I had been waiting for a long while to buy.


I still am in search of the perfect pair of very tapered pinch nose pliers since I broke one of the sides off my good pair, but I did acquire some delightfully useful tools.  ;-) 
Not to be confused with people we call a *tool* for various reasons that have nothing to do with usefulness.....
A nice set of steel stamps, nippers, some electrical fuses strictly for altering into who knows what (glass tubes with metal--how can you resist???), cutting discs for the Dremel, along with ALL...THOSE...BITS...   *swoon*
And then the prize of the day, the baby pliers. Yes, a couple of pair of adult pliers had some quality time alone in the factory at night and thus was brought forth:


These little darlings! In three different tips shapes too....
I am always needing something small to retrieve things, and large pliers occasionally just can't do the job. I think my heart skipped a beat when I found these.
And the timing on all this was perfect as MDM put up the link to sing up for Art Lab #2 about two days later, so I am fully equipped! Well, except fot the leather tool apron, and that is still on my want list.
They didn't have any in black with shiny studs....just the boring split cowhide.
But I can dream.
An artist has to look good as they are deconstructing and reconstructing *things*.
Maybe just goggles and some opera length black leather gloves with heavy metal snaps.  ;-D
(it takes little to amuse me.....)
Ahem....sorry for the short digression. At any rate, I am ready to try out everything and start some serious destruction around El Milagro.
Hopefully nothing structural. I need my studio.




Pax....

40 comments:

marianne said...

oh what fun! can't believe i passed the fuses by, will have to take a look next time. have a great time this weekend-

Janet Ghio said...

Hi Anne-maybe you could make yourself a black leather apron-instead of sewing, drill some little holes and put brads or whatever in to hold it together--a real tool apron! I have a set of those three baby pliers--bought them when I was making jewelry.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Marianne~~

You definitely need some of the fuses! There are all different types, and then the typical car fuses, and connectors.... ;-D
Can you tell I had a ball???
Have a good one!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Janet---

Good idea! I need to look around and see what leather scraps I have.
Altho, I do have a heavy machine that sews leather quite well.
I'm sure there are a couple of pair of leather jeans I can no longer squeeze myself into....LOL! SNIP! SNIP! ;-D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anonymous said...

I don't think that I've known anyone to get so excited about tools...not those kind of tools...these kind ;) Your mixed media art is so inspirational and I can't wait to see what magic you will put into using these tools.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Palma,

My dad had about every tool on the earth and usually I wasn't supposed to mess with them. (ahem!) But he showed me how to use them and fix things, do repairs, and I guess it is a little bit of tom-boy in me that still loves working with them!
And then getting to use them in ART---even better!!! ;-)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

yoborobo said...

Anne, I wish we could go shopping together. While other girls would hurry off to the mall, we could go to Home Depot and a salvage yard! Weeeeeee! Love your new toys. I can't wait to see what you come up with. :) Happy weekend! xoxo Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Definitely Pam....we need to find a good scrap yard half way between here and there and MEET! (with a big truck! LOL!!!)
No frou-frou for me.....just let me cut loose with the fun stuff! (I really hate malls....omg...that one is close to the Grocery Zombies...)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

GlorV1 said...

Oh my goodness, fancy you. Look at your fingernail, WOWEEEEE! Looks like you're ready to as you say, "cut loose with the fun stuff." That's great. It's tool time. :) Have fun.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Gloria,

Did my nails done; one hour later, lifted a bunch of books.....away went half the polish!
You got to see the GOOD hand! LOL!!!
TOOL TIME!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Dolly Smith said...

there is NOTHING like the perfect tool for the job. I still get all warm inside when I need my battery powered eraser.

The first thing I did when I set up my sewing/craft/drawing room was head to Home Depot and get all MY OWN tools.

Do you have one of those expando LED/magnet/claw grip dealybobs to retrieve items that fall out of reach? That little puppy is a delight. You can get them at auto supply places.

And...the NAILS, woman! NICE!

Silke Powers said...

Oh, my, Anne, don't you sound like the happy artist!! I LOVE all those tools you are going to be using and where you go shopping for your "art supplies." Plus, with all those drill bits, you'll be able to help hubby with any dental issues he might have... Love, Silke

P.S. LOVE those nails...

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Dolly, I think that is one I don't have---there is a certain satisfaction in stretching and cussing when trying to retrieve lost things! (like last evening when two photos slid down behind a bookcase that I could barely move out....the gathering of sort clouds! LOL!!!)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Silke,

Yes, maybe I should have them in my hand, look at hubby and say, "Open wide..." I mean, I have the flexible extension for the Dremel....it would work, right??? ;-D
Ah, my nails LOOKED good. I have now wrecked them. If I feel really energetic, they might get redone this evening.
And then again.....maybe not. The acrylic paints are hard on them. I really need polish on.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Timaree said...

Now shopping for art tools and supplies is sooo much better than shopping for groceries isn't it? You may just have to buy a piece of black leather if you want the fancy tool apron. You could make it as fancy as you want then.

Jan said...

cool tools, did you go to Harbor Freight? I have been wanting to get a set of those steel stamps, they have the best price.

I already have a good set of the small hand tools, need them for jewelery making. Then mr. lame gift giver gave me a new set for Christmas because his mom got them as a white elephant gift and gave them to Steve who regifted them to me for Christmas. don't you love it when they put so much thought into the gift they select for us?

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Yes Jan, I hit Harbor Freight~~~it was FUN! I will definitely be going back when I have more time to look and think about what I could use things for.
I cannot believe that Steve did that---I think I would have pinned him to the floor and tried a few out tools out on him.... >:-}
Yeah, I have moments of *not-nice-dom*! LOL!

XXOO~~Anne

Anonymous said...

Just goes to show that ya' can't do the job unless ya' have the right tool!!
Just stopping by to say HI!!
Marilyn

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You got it Marilyn!
Here's to the *TOOLS* in the world...LOL!!! ;-D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anonymous said...

Electric blue fingernails, love em. Just the thing to handle all thise dainty pliars. Cool tools for a hot chick, just don't be cutting yourself or starting no fires melting stuff to corrode with. xox Corrine

studio lolo said...

yes, I'm still here leaving to check dinner and then running back to type a sentence!!!

I saw baby pliers like that at Michaels in the jewelry section. I almost picked up a set.

You would have loved a place called "Last Chance mercantile" in Monterey. It's at the local dump and people come from MILES to go through all the salvaged stuff. It's an artist's dream!

looking forward to seeing what's next on your table ;)

happy creating my friend! And I would so totally go shopping with you and Pam!

~♥Lolo♥~

teri said...

Hi Anne
love the tools!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Corrine!

Who...ME???? Cut myself? Set something on fire? Melt a project?
*sigh*
You know me too well...hahaha!

XXOO~~♥
Anne....the chick with blue nails!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Lolo,

I think there are many things I would have enjoyed out on the coast. I wish I could find a good junk yard here that isn't a toxic dump (seriously, they were importing garbage from Jersey----not going there! ACK!)
I think you'd enjoy those small pliers--they are especially good for holding those tiny nails that come with sawtooth hangers.
Enjoy the salmon!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Teri,

ME TOO!!!
A lot.... :-)


XXOO~~♥
Anne

Debra She Who Seeks said...

My Rare One has a Dremel and frequently has Dremel Lust for all the various bits and heads and accoutrements you can get for it.

Elena said...

So we're working today and hubby has to buy a heat gun. Says I can have it when he's done. I jump up and down. Then reaches into trash and pulls out three copper pieces plumber tossed and a circuit breaker he replaced. It was like xmas. Love the toys you bought but LOVE those nails! Put on your weed clearing outfit...you know the one with chaps and sythe and scare away the monsters.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Debra,

I totally understand that.....I have attachments I have used once, in fact, I have one thing I don't think I have every used!
Maybe the tool class will let me get it out of mothballs, errrr, cobwebs and try it out! :-)
'
XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Elena!

I'm coming to YOUR house!!! Sounds like you hit the jackpot! Whoooo-Hooooo!!!
If it warms enough today, I've got to hit the shed and dig out tools---cannot remember what it out there and what is in the garage. I might be surprised, as in, nothing I can use for class!
Then I'd have to revisit the tool store....(shakes head)....that would be sooo sad....hahahahaha!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Bella Sinclair said...

Oooh! I want a poster with YOU on it, posing as the new Rosie the Riveter!

Carol said...

Oh, oh, now I have to visit the hardware store. I have no idea any more what tools I have stashed away, I think finding out will be fun, and buying more will be even more fun! xx

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Bella....heeheehee!

I think I'll need someone with a WIDE-ANGLE lens for that! LOL!
Yeah, the though is a little frightening. I haven't had a full length photo in a year or more, and the body has changed!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Carol, a kindred spirit!
I want to get some metal flashing or soft metal I can work easily.
Currently trying to get some Spring cleaning done, so my art time is limited. I think I deserve a small reward.... ;-D
I too need to see what I have and what I think I will need. Everyday tools are in the house but the big boys are not. Need to clean off the basement table and have a home for them.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Karen S said...

Oooh -- I love baby tools -- they're just right for doing, um, stuff. I've been coveting a set I saw at Michael's for a while. And it's so true -- a girl needs her own tools.

My DH got me black diamonds for xmas a couple of years ago -- they were in the surface of the non-stick pan that I desperately wanted. We're still laughing about it.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Yeah Karen, I have learned to have a sense of humor when the word *diamond* is mentioned!!!
Of course, if DH bought me the real deal, I would never wear it....I'd be afraid it would end up in a pile of gel medium, lost in some work....LOL!!!
And yes, you NEED the baby tools!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Serena Lewis said...

OH, what an exquisite group of tools! I totally understand your excitement!

I love my toolbox but my only problem is that I can never find anything because my youngest son takes my tools etc. and neglects to put them back in the toolbox. Grrrrrrrrrr....

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I hear you on that...my DH *helps* organize....and then I have no idea where anything is! I finally have found hiding them in the studio is about the safest! ;-D
I'm the only one who can find anything in here!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

di from di-did-it said...

I'm a tool girl too & am drooling over your purchases.... I think a trip to Harbor Freight is in my near future. In fact, I'll be in the neighborhood tomorrow after my eye appt. I've been eyeing their doming block & punch set.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oooooooh yes, I saw that!
I think you should GO. It would be very therapeutic, and after all, we have to take care of ourselves! ;-D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Magpie's Mumblings said...

oooooh - you're taking a second class? I can't WAIT to see what you create!!!!!!!!!

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