Oakland Exploring

Saturdays are for exploring.  Well, first, they are for sleeping in. And then biscuits and gravy.  Then exploring.  Oakland is a weird big place, with lots of little different parts.  Last week we rode to a fancy, boutique and cafe part of town to check out a new coffee shop, with amazing vegan sweets.  After some coffee, mexican chocolate cake and sitting in the window watching people.

 We live in a very flat part of Oakland.  But when we walk a little but into the hills, you can see downtown and the bay.  We walked to a cemetery near the coffee whop and only had to walk for a few minutes for a good view.

 This weekend, we looked at the map of the east bay and found a park on the other side of the shipping yards near the house.  It seemed unlikely we could ride there though it always seems unlikely that there would be a park no one could get to.  After a long windy ride through the Oakland port, we found the small and mostly empty waterfront park.  Even better, on the way home we realized that my new favorite park is only a ten minute ride from the house.  Picnic time soon!

Just for You!

printed for Viva Snail Mail

A few weeks ago, I offered to print postcards or business cards for five subscribers of Keep Writing, for only the cost of materials.  Melissa was the first to respond, within an hour, and finally, here is the result: a postcard-sized award for those who help promote the written letter.  Check out her blog, Viva Snail Mail to see who might be up for such an award and why.

one of these plates doesn't print right

 I took advantage of a lovely sunny day to clean up and organize a little before starting on the next custom work, for a subscriber in Berkeley.  Here are a few sneak peeks at her postcard, but I won't let you see it before she does!

success!

subtle split fountain

 I love a day off! Even if it is to print at home.  At home there are Krazy straws for my water, and a mid-day mail delivery bringing me postcards from Power and Light Press.  Printing at home means naptime, like Sunday, or staying up late.  Like now.  Good night!

krazeeee!

thanks Kyle!

Cut and Paste Forever

 

 

Happy Groundhog's Day

I've been working a lot, printing other people's computer-generated designs.  And I've been printing my own computer-assisted designs.  Which is fine.  I like printing.  Maybe a little less at 10 pm on a Saturday night when there is a warm bed and a book waiting for me but it still beats out everything else I could do for "work". 

channeling the spirit of Astropress

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, there have been many work-induced headaches lately.  At my roommate's suggestion, I thought about playing hookey today but the things I wanted to do are, well, things I want to do.   I thought I'd give it a go before I head out into the sunshine (there is still time for that).  I busted out the paper and exacto and pencil, demoted the computer to streaming Italian music only and worked on the postcard  idea I've been carrying around for a week.  You'll have to wait until next month to see it.  And the sketch rarely looks like the final project but here's a start.

keep writing number 49

Even in printing using polymer plates, I can't help cut and rearrrange.  Handset polymer plates, we've been calling it.  It's kind of a pain but I like results.  I hope Viva Snail Mail does too.  She writes a great blog about mail with lots of great photos.  She was also the first person to respond to my offer of custom postcard printing for only the cost of materials.  Here are some peeks at my printing the cards I designed for you.  I will post a photo of the finished project once she receives her cards!

our shop's current soundsystem.  note that it plugs in.

also did a little press maintenance