\u00a0Howard agreed to take on my bench!\u00a0 This man has a passion for wood & turning it into beautiful, practical pieces as evidenced by his own workbenches.\u00a0 I could see it\u00a0all around me in\u00a0his workshop.\u00a0Found out he’d done a boat building apprenticeship as a teenager before moving on to build houses.\u00a0 I think it kind of fits with me that he’s returning to his passion,\u00a0boatbuilding later in life, just like me & jewellery.\u00a0 I imagine he’ll make money out of his…Mine, not so sure.\u00a0 I have to remind myself that I’m taking this on for pleasure not profit, although a combination of both would be great!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0Just when I thought painting ‘The Laundry’ was finished more building work had to be\u00a0done & yes, it was messy.\u00a0 Oh well, I’ll get the brushes out tomorrow for one last time, I hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0The good news, depending on your perspective, is that my washing machine has started playing up again.\u00a0 Perfect timing!\u00a0 I’ve got a front-loader being delivered in the morning & the bench has suddenly become a huge piece of Victorian Ash.\u00a0 The sink will be in the corner again (where the machine is above), so while I’m scrubbing my heart out I’ll be able to look out the window as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

$\"Bernard$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Bernard at work on white bench & shelves<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

\u00a0Final touches not involving\u00a0my bench have been done so I’m calling the white bench the kid\u2019s bench.\u00a0I actually started folding laundry on it & had to stop myself.\u00a0\u00a0This is no time for me to turn into a domestic goddess…Scary!\u00a0<\/p>\n

I’m looking at all those lovely shelves & just can’t imagine them being adorned with my stuff yet.\u00a0 I’ve been\u00a0dabbling\u00a0with\u00a0this in one form or another since I was 15 & have lost many tools to many garages in various moves.\u00a0 The thought that the tools & bits & bobs of art materials will have a permanent place is astounding to me.\u00a0 The guilt I have to say, has also settled in:\u00a0 Wouldn’t this make a nice bedroom, teenage retreat, yoga room (partner teaches), conservatory, you name it & I’ve thought of all the possibilities.\u00a0 It almost feels like cheating having it to myself.\u00a0 My partner Shane’s reaction, use it for what it was built for, it’s your space for your passion.\u00a0 So be it, guilt trip over!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

$\"Boxed$ <\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0I’m hoping one of the side effects of ‘The Laundry’ will be a less cluttered house.\u00a0 Perhaps my son will move into a proper bedroom when the wardrobe is empty, finally?<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0I’ve been obsessing about the bench & now that that’s sorted it’ll be down to the nitty gritty.\u00a0 Unpack boxes & see what treasures I’ve actually got.<\/p>\n

I’m thinking of using hairdresser stools as their height seems to be more variable.\u00a0 Which gas is the next big issue & I feel so far removed from my training that I’m not confident I’ll make the right choice.\u00a0 In my gut I feel\u00a0oxygen\/gas best but I’m toying with the idea of just ordinary BBQ bottle gas.\u00a0 Will\u00a0gas alone\u00a0be hot enough for bigger pieces…Not so sure?\u00a0 All this is next week\u2019s local research.<\/p>\n

My bench of Victorian Ash is being assembled as I’ve typed.\u00a0\u00a0What\u00a0a great thought!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"