What led me here?
As with some of the best bits of my life, this quest started with bags of enthusiasm, a million and one ideas, and no idea what I was doing.
When anything new seizes my attention I tend to hit the ground running – fast out of the blocks, full of energy – but sometimes, suddenly and without warning, the joy can vanish. Something that feels like the Best Idea Ever can overnight turn into something I can’t even look at. Frankly it’s a pain in the arse and I wish I could change it.
I’ve explored all sorts of creative outlets with varying levels of longevity – photography being by far the most consistent, with over 20 years of music photography under my belt. Still my first love, though it’s taken more of a backseat in recent years (and that’s maybe a post for another time).
For something to work for me it needs to hit the right balance: practical and creative, and viable in the longer term. When I first started looking into laser engraving, I kept all that in mind. It ticked a lot of boxes, but I didn’t have a concrete reason (read: excuse) to take the plunge, so it got parked indefinitely.
Then earlier this year I decided that I wanted to send a sundial as a wedding gift. After researching what was available locally and online and toying with the idea of getting one engraved, a familiar little thought pushed its way to the front: “Maybe I could do it myself?” And BOOM – just like that, getting a laser was back on the table.
Out came the bookmarked websites, I figured out the ‘minimum startup cost’ budget, found myself a dinky, portable, entry level machine with just enough power to do what I needed – and I pushed that button. It didn’t hurt that I already had a lot of what I’d figured out I would need laying around the house – and by that point I was already on a tight deadline, which is like an adrenaline shot to me.
That first project went well enough that I started to allow some bigger ideas to creep back in. There were a few personal projects I wanted to do, but there was also huge scope for working with a range of sustainable/recycled materials. Not to mention, the big box of wood offcuts and DIY scraps in my shed might finally get their time in the spotlight! But first, I needed to get my workspace together…
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