Plan ahead when moving a sculpture, even during creation. Destination space prepared? Clearances OK? Power cords and hoses out of the way?
Inventory your tool boxes in case of loss/theft. It also presents an opportunity to become reacquainted with forgotten tools.
I notice glass vases are popular glass art forms. Why not for stone? Polish a surface or two, carve a relief shape or pattern on another, and drill a hole. Voila! A vase. With a custom dried-flower arrangement from Michael’s, a nice centerpiece is created. They make nice gifts, or opportunities for inexpensive sales, and a way to use up scraps.
A set of multi-colored Magic Markers can be used to cover up the apparently inevitable nicks and scratches to sculptures during transport and display, until permanent repairs can be made. Jim Heltsley has a small bag with various grits of sandpaper, shoe polish, a rag, and other necessities for on-site minor repairs.
Pre-inked rubber stamp gone pale? Store it upside down for awhile so the ink flows back to the surface.
On softer stone, scraping with a chisel edge, paint scraper, or back of hacksaw blade (which can be bent to follow concave surfaces) can be quicker than several sandings.
When using small core drill bits, a broken-off core inside can impede progress.
Zip-loc bags can be used as a mess-free container to mix small quantities of plaster, Rock-hard Putty, or other patching compounds.
Stuck in traffic? Leave some room between you and the next car to be able to maneuver around a stalled vehicle.
Thin-walled chrome/brass/copper tubing can be used as “show” on an exposed pin if beefed up inside with all-thread or rebar.
Make sure your table top or floor is level if you are using it as a reference for plumb bobs and levels. They’re true to the earth’s surface, not a sloping floor. A carpenter’s square will give you a perpendicular to its reference plane. “Eyeballing” can be myopic.
