Broken tips!

(Above:  Soldering irons ... including two miniature Antex soldering irons without tips!)

Some artists work on one piece at a time, only moving to the next work after completely finishing the one on which they are currently working.  Intellectually, I understand this approach.  Practically, I have no understanding of it at all.  I can't remember the last time I only had one piece in process.  Perhaps, never!

Generally, I have at least one "handwork only" piece going (some sort of art quilt); multiple wrapped-and-stitched wooden spools in various stages of development; an installation in progress (right now that means unraveling miles of old thread for Threads: Gathering My Thoughts' next incarnation in September); and several "machine stitching only" pieces under construction.  The machine work is most often work for my "In Box" and "Stained Glass" series.  I posted the last six, small In Boxes finished on Monday of this week.  CLICK HERE to see them.  Even then, I had several "Windows" started.


(Above:  Five "Windows" ... on stretcher bars ... in the garage ... in various stages of being melted with the soldering irons.)

The first five "Windows" made it onto stretcher bars and were in various stages of being melted with my soldering irons when DISASTER occurred.  The last tip of my miniature Antex soldering iron broke.  I knew I only had this one, last tip.  I should have ordered more long before last week.  So ... everything went "on hold".  (A free, on-line tutorial for how these pieces are made is available HERE.  It includes images of how I melt through the layers of synthetic fabric with soldering irons and then zap them with an industrial heat gun.)


(Above:  Two more "Windows" ... waiting to go onto stretcher bars to be melted.)

While waiting for M. M. Newman Corporation to send a dozen new tips, I constructed and stitched two more "Windows".  They will go onto the stretcher bars as soon as at least two of the earlier works are finished and taken off the stretcher bars.


(Above:  Soldering iron tips from M. M. Newman Corporation.)

Yesterday, the new tips arrived!  Thank goodness!  Work is waiting!  I'll be posting the finished "Windows" as soon as these new tips are in operation!  I'm also linking this post to Nina-Marie's "Off the Wall Fridays", a site for sharing fiber art work.