wherein I tell you about the big job

Some of you may remember that I have been consulting on a job since last January and it was finally funded in August. The project is for Invesco, an international investment firm that is expanding it's offices in Houston, and the job consists of two 16' long x 9' high walls.

The design on one wall is a map of the world done in diagonal parallel lines about 1/8” wide and spaced about an inch apart.

The other wall will have an image of a mountain, their logo, done in carving and shading. They will both be installed, on different floors, in front of a wall of custom painted blue glass.

Because these panels are so big and heavy, beyond Marc's and my ability to pick them up and maneuver them around, we arranged to do the work in an empty 20' x 40' warehouse that belongs to the guy's glass company that does our installations. We not only get a bigger shop to work in, but manpower as well. His guys come over and move the glass for us whenever we need it moved.

The downside to that is that we have been very busy the last several weeks getting our supplies in and basically having to build a shop from scratch in the little warehouse, from glass racks and tables to a walk-in sandblast booth and all the machines and air delivery system that goes along with it. We have bought smaller, less powerful, versions of the machines in our regular shop with an eye to bringing it out here afterwards so that we might do the smaller jobs out at the country house.

the framing on the left is the future sandblast booth and you can see the stack of glass panels on the right

After a frustrating week last week trying to get started on the actual fabrication and finishing of the sandblast booth, we ended it with one panel cut and ready and all the machinery acquired for the blasting, if not completely set up, at least there. He should have it all ready by the end of next week.

half of Africa, the Middle East and India, and half of China; in reverse as it will be viewed through the clear side

So, this will be our schedule for the next several months: go in to the city Monday afternoon, spend three nights and three days working our butts off, and coming home Thursday evening. I hope I can get the other three stencils cut next week but we'll see.

This first week of fabrication, with all it's starts and delays, kicked my butt! We haven't had a job that requires this kind of attention for a couple of years. Being semi-retired via the bad economy has made me forget how much work it is to have work!

I know we'll fall into the routine well enough, body memory will take over, but for now, I may not be around as often.