The $64,000 question

Over decades of making things, and making mistakes, I’ve developed a gaggle of questions that I ask myself about a project before I pick up a tool (when I remember that is).  They don’t apply to every job, but they do make me stop and think.

1. Have I done this before? (Hint - usually the answer is "no".)
2. How many do I need?
3. Would construction benefit from an accurate jig or repeatable process?
4. Does it need to interact with (eg fit into, sit on etc) something else?
5. What type or level of finish will it have?
6. What level of precision is required?
7. Does it have a left, right, front, back, top or bottom? (Hint - this is a big one.)
8. What is the ideal tool set and do I have it (and does it matter)?
9. Should I consider buying one instead of making one?
10. Have I really thought this through? (hint - a lot of times the answer is "no".)

It’s not a bullet proof recipe, but it does often bring to light some aspect that I would have otherwise overlooked.

There are also some other questions that I occasionally ask myself.  These have been picked up from various online sources and tweaked by me, for me.  Maybe they will work for you too.

• Where do my thoughts first go when I wake up in the morning?
• What is my greatest worry?
• What, if I can’t have, do I get distressed or anxious about?
• What person or activity do I often find myself anticipating?
• Where do I seek comfort when things get tough?
• What preoccupies my thoughts?
• Where do I find my self-worth or identify?
• What is my greatest hope for the future?

My reasoning is that if God doesn’t somehow feature in at least some of my answers then perhaps I need to reconsider the boundaries around, and balance within, my life.  



A clock comprising a large gas pressure valve, recycled bolts, chain from my Dad's shed and
any hours work.Answering question 7
really took some thought.



Leadlighting

Workshop

One way I while away many enjoyable hours is with lead lighting.  It's amazing how some odd bits and pieces of glass and lead can be turned into something not only useful but beautiful.  The real skill in making a good lead light window is to cut and grind the individual pieces very carefully - with the aim of them fitting together with a consistent gap between them. 

 

A gap?  Yes, there needs to be a space between each piece to accommodate the lead that brings cohesion and structure to the finished window.  Without the lead, you just have a jigsaw of loose pieces lying on the table.

 

Thought

Sounds a bit like a church family doesn't it?  All the pieces, regardless of size and nature, have a part to play.  They must fit closely together.  After all, it's not like other pieces of glass can expand to fill a void.  And the lead - read Romans 12:4-5 and see what you think.

 

"In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t."  Romans 12:4-5 The Message