Allo effing blog reader. How the hell are yas?
I've been using this winter down time to hone my skills and mind and it's been lovely though it's been quiet. In the last few months I've been knee deep in all things letterpress and haven't touched many effing books or printing projects. Just learning machines and the various names of machines and the who's and where's of the necessary but tough-to-find equipment, etc. I love the stuff, I really do. I've acquired the Kelsey press of course, but have also obtained a Boxcar base for printing photopolymer plates, new rollers and roller cores and trucks, a binding press, a new big-ass work table (thanks D), a sewing machine, new set of linocutting tools, soy inks and rubber inks, an ink mixing plate (glass), several soft rubber brayers, and various old-tymey blocks and cuts of various designs I've found on ebay. And, with any luck, I'll soon have a slightly used Ricoh Aficio 1040 to do all black text printing. That is the same machine I've used more than any other for effing chaps and mags - it puts toner down flat and dark and can churn out a job quickly as well as duplex and handle custom paper sizes. An equitable item of slightly higher value than my car, eep. And I still don't have a camera!
So now we're ramping up on the '07 print schedule and basically waiting for the edits to arrive on any of several projects so we can get to work. I use 'we' in that micropress kind of way as you probably know. It's just me of course. I know you do it too.
Now we need money for stuff and I am trudging through dayjob hell and socking what I can away. Like you, I am mostly unequipped and unmotivated for big money.
Other stuff left to do include building a new effing website (do you want to do it for trade?), building a new table and drawers specifically for the Kelsey, finding or devising a drying rack, devising a padding press, and getting a damn camera. If I get a damn camera soon, if indeed this is my year for a damn camera, I promise to share some of my world and my processes with you. Because you like process as do I.
And, on the side and in association with some painterly friends, I have intentions of putting out handbound blank books and other printed stuffs like coasters and postcards. Maybe even bust up the monopoly of girl craft in the local DIY/boutique scene. We can use the scratch and the lokes could use some testosterone.
I don't intend on blogging very much here for the time being but rest assured I'll post any pertinent effing announcements and will also blast the effing email list. Stay toned in blogland, suckas.
$8
