From Mrs. FabLab, With Love
With the start of September, it seems like a good time to do something I haven’t done in awhile: write a personal note.
Our company was a grassroots fledgling when we started this newsletter. I was the single author, sharing pop up markets, welding classes and what we were doing. Over the years, popup markets and welding classes phased out, we grew and we leaned into the client we are best suited to serve. It also became paramount to maintain your trust by sending only purposeful correspondence to your already clogged inboxes. The personal note I used to include fell wayside, replaced by educational content and project photos. That actually worked well for me as my company responsibilities quadrupled, leaving me at times with little more to say. But as we head into a new season, I just wanted you to know that while everything has changed, nothing has changed. Regardless of the content, I am still the one writing the newsletter. It has very much remained personal for me.
I love the work we do. I do not imply that I find it to provide constant joy; quite the contrary most of the time. I mean that I find drive and purpose in a deeply satisfying way within this work. I love getting that first call or email when you have an idea. I love wondering how we will make it happen and I love knowing that we will indeed make it happen. I love sending a rendering and imagining you smile when you see it. I love seeing the work take form in our shop and I love, love, love the nitty gritty of a beautifully executed detail.
If you have read this far, thank you for indulging me. I share my truth and I look forward to working with you. You can always find me
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3 Things to Consider when mixing materials
You’re designing a reception desk or a feature wall using natural wood, engineered wood, metal and glass materials. Seems straightforward enough…but it’s not. Here are a few things for you to consider when you’re designing a project with more than one material type.
1.
Expansion and contraction is normal, especially in materials like natural wood. But different materials and even different types of wood, expand and contract differently and will require room to do so.
2.
Different types of woods have different weights. The same can be said for metal. White oak is heavier per board foot than cypress. Carbon steel is heavier than the same amount of aluminum. This will make a difference in things like “center of gravity”.
3.
– Not every finish works on every material and some finishes can cause reactions in other finishes. It’s important to understand the chemistry.
Complicated craftwork is our expertise so we know a thing or two about mixing materials. When you’re in doubt, allow us the opportunity to share our knowledge with you and make your project a success!
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