Last weekend, one of my friends confessed that cornucopia is her favorite word. I have to agree that it’s a great word … in both sound and meaning. As Carol says … it just feels good rolling off your tongue. Go ahead ... say it 3 times in a row ... out loud! cornucopia - cornucopia - cornucopia! Feels g00d doesn't it? (Carol's gonna love this blog!)
Typically, cornucopia is referred to as “a symbol of plenty” and associated with a goat's horn full of autumn bounty. But I prefer the definition “an abundant supply of good things.” As in ... "the museum had a cornucopia of Picasso works!" or "the jeweler offered a cornucopia of extravagant beads to choose from." What’s not to like about cornucopia? And it's a word that is perfect for this time of year.
In the spirit of cornucopia, and Thanksgiving, I’d like to give my own thanks of cornucopia (an abundance of good things). Or is it a cornucopia of thanks? Both I'd say! First, thanks to, and for, the cornucopia of people who contribute such positive energy to me and my art endeavor. Believe me, that’s a whole lotta people … including you. And I recognize it and appreciate it every day. Thank you!
Next, I want to give thanks for the cornucopia of nifty and necessary studio items that I use to create art! Here are a few of them (in no particular order)...
my little Lincoln welder – this little machine has pumped out pounds and feet (who knows, maybe miles!!) of welding wire since I started using it in 2008. I have made over 500 pieces of art, big and small, and it just keeps on turning. Thank you welder!
my auto-darkening helmet – this may seem like a given in the welding world today, wow! I wouldn’t be able to do the type of metal art and welding I do without this. I would literally be in the dark! My dad was an apprenticed ship welder and welding instructor, and he never used one of these. I love my helmet! Thank you helmet!
a cornucopia of grinders – a metal artist's best friend! Even though I sometimes complain about using the variety of grinders and attachments, these tools clean up the metal and welds to make them smooth to the touch, with no finger cuts! Thank you grinders!
my gloves - mostly, I wear my welding gloves, but I have several pairs of gloves in the studio to protect my hands from cuts, grinds, burns, and chemicals. It is also what makes it possible for me to go to the studio with my finger nails brightly polished! Thank you gloves!
white vinegar - white vinegar you ask? yep...white vinegar! This is a recent addition to my cornucopia of studio items. I asked my landlord Dave (who is also a master fabricator) what would remove mill scale from metal (this is the gray coating on some steel that is almost impossible to grind off). "white vinegar" was his response ... "shut the front door!" was mine! And it works like a charm ... on rust too! This is what the white vinegar looks like after lots of use. Not so white anymore! Thank you white vinegar!
music - creating art can be a solitary job, and music keeps my mind and body energized while I'm working. Thank you music!
scrap metal rings's - I love these scrap metal rings & circles. I use smaller ones and the 'gears' in my 'crop circle' series. But they have a cornucopia of uses in lots of my art! Thank you rings!
small shear & small bender - these nifty pieces of equipment cut and curve the triangles for Stan's skin. Thank you shear & bender!
my boots - these red boots keep my feet protected from welding sparks, flying objects, and the concrete floor! Thank you!
art - most of the time, I have multiple art pieces in the studio at various levels of progression. The art is the end result of working with all of the cornucopia of nifty things in my studio. 'Stan' pretty much takes center stage right now. Making the art makes my world go around. Thank you art!!
The cornucopia of nifty studio items goes on... Thank you studio!!
It doesn't matter what you do, I'm sure you have a cornucopia of nifty tools or other things that you love and are thankful for...what are they? Leave a comment! Or post on my Facebook page. I look forward to hearing about your cornucopia too!
And Happy Thanksgiving!!
Angela
