Sometimes the rampant consumerism of millenial America with its cheap planned-obsolescence goods gets to me, but that’s mostly because of my love for recycling and metalwork. (I make a lot of earrings and pendants, and I’m also something of a knifesmith, but my current project is restoring a couple of thirty-year-old motorcycles.)
Charlene (who reminds me a lot of Charlene Davidson from “Biker Mice From Mars”) expresses a deep love for machines and mechanics, that persists in a time when mechanical things were made with dedication and admiration by people who actually respected the craft. (I love working with my hands – largely because it helps manage and mitigate the physical tics of my Asperger’s syndrome.) Reusing metals also helps limit the amount of waste produced, which goes a long way towards protecting the planet.
Instructables.com is a great place to go for those who love and respect the craft, or just want to know how to recycle used things like old tires and metal bits. On the strength of that site, I made hiking sandals out of used quad bike tires, wove my first two paracord belts and watchbands (with a third of each on the way), built two shoe racks out of cardboard, and my next project will be making a machete for my backpacking aunt out of her old lawnmower blades. (#sustainability, #recycle)
But you have to love the craft, or enjoy making things, which many just don’t. It’s great therapy, too.
Sometimes the rampant consumerism of millenial America with its cheap planned-obsolescence goods gets to me, but that’s mostly because of my love for recycling and metalwork. (I make a lot of earrings and pendants, and I’m also something of a knifesmith, but my current project is restoring a couple of thirty-year-old motorcycles.)
Charlene (who reminds me a lot of Charlene Davidson from “Biker Mice From Mars”) expresses a deep love for machines and mechanics, that persists in a time when mechanical things were made with dedication and admiration by people who actually respected the craft. (I love working with my hands – largely because it helps manage and mitigate the physical tics of my Asperger’s syndrome.) Reusing metals also helps limit the amount of waste produced, which goes a long way towards protecting the planet.
Instructables.com is a great place to go for those who love and respect the craft, or just want to know how to recycle used things like old tires and metal bits. On the strength of that site, I made hiking sandals out of used quad bike tires, wove my first two paracord belts and watchbands (with a third of each on the way), built two shoe racks out of cardboard, and my next project will be making a machete for my backpacking aunt out of her old lawnmower blades. (#sustainability, #recycle)
But you have to love the craft, or enjoy making things, which many just don’t. It’s great therapy, too.