Kohler factory/foundary tour

At the tail end of my week long vacation my husband and I had the opportunity to take a tour of the Kohler factory in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. This was something I had been looking forward to all week and I wasn't dissapointed. If you like the popular series How It's Made or Made In America (which did a segment on the Kohler factory) then this (free!) tour would be right up your alley. We began the tour in the ceramic production area and I loved seeing the ceramics on such a large scale production. The size of the building is truly unbelievable! Although we didn't get to see any of the molds being poured, we did see toilets and sinks in various stages of greenware, from just taken out of the molds to the ones going through the drying room. The kiln for such large production is open ended and has a conveyor belt that automatically moves the greenware through for firing. Post firing every piece is inspected and reglazed if necessary. The most impressive aspects of the tour were the obvious high standards the company sets for the quality of product leaving their factory and I have to say it was the cleanest ceramics production I've ever seen! After the ceramics building we toured the foundary where they do all the iron casting and metal work. This area was equally fascinating. My father has a pattern shop and I spent two summers working there, milling and using machinery so the processes were already familiar to me on a small level. To cast iron you need a metal (or sometimes plastic) pattern (these are what my dad works on). Then a sand mold is cast from the pattern. The sand mold is what the molten metal is cast in and it only lasts for one cast. So for every cast iron tub or sink they produce they also have to make a sand mold. For me the best part of the foundary was seeing all the robots because let's face it, robots are pretty cool. My husband gave me all sorts of extra information on the automation as that is what his degree is in. Overall the tour was a great experience and I hope others will take advatage of the opportunity to see in person how it's made.

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Shipping Assistant

The Foundary orders are going out today. I think I probably have one of the cutest helpers ever... Calvin! He just insists on inspecting each product before it goes out.

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New Product Designs

The Silver Lining... Upcycled Statement Necklaces

WIth the Holidays quickly approaching, Revisions has been hard at work stocking up new and unique designs. Last month at the Renegade Craft Fair we debuted a new line of statement necklaces created from silver serving pieces. The response was overwhelming! I'm so pleased that many people found these as fascinating and cool as I do! If you missed us at the Renegade, you can now get your very own in our Silver Lining Etsy Shop...

Silverware Bracelets

An item we have been getting a lot of requests for is now available. Perhaps you need a bracelet to match one of your Revisions' spoon rings? Don't see your pattern available? Just ask! We would be happy to create a bracelet for you in any pattern design. The best part about these bracelets... they close using a magnetic clasp! No more struggling to put it on. Check them out, also in our Silver Lining Etsy Shop...

It's like Christmas!

Today Janna and I feel like we hit the silverware jackpot! We normally spend hours upon hours scouring Ebay and thrift stores looking for used silverware. Last Thursday I contacted a seller on Ebay regarding a few nice lots that he had listed. After exchanging a few emails, he told me that he actually had the mother load of silverware and we quickly worked out a deal. Today the first two boxes arrived! Janna and I had so much fun digging through and looking at all the beautiful new patterns that we will be adding to The Silver Lining. Keep an eye out for all the updated products to come in the next few weeks.

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So much to do!

It's a busy week at the studio as we prepare for the Chicago Renegade. Today we're laser cutting a new and improved ring display and gathering all those little but necessary show items...tape, scissors, string, etc. Tomorrow we'll spend the day packing the vehicle and Friday we're out of here! Hopefully the weather is nice and there is a good turn out!

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New Product... Now available!

Just a quick note to let you know that our porcelain Mason Votives are now available in our EcoElements Etsy Shop.

Check it out here!

New Obsession: Pinterest

I have a new obsession that I just can't quite. It's called Pinterest and I am in LOVE!

In case you haven't heard, Pinterest is a new online community that allows its users to create and share virtual pin boards. Its visual approach to organization fits so perfectly well with the way my brain works.

Users create a profile using either their Facebook or Twitter account, then create "boards" using various themes like, motivation, inspiration, spaces, etc, by virtually pinning images. These images are shared with your followers and you in turn get to view theirs through a real time news feed on the Pinterest homepage.

If you haven't yet tried it I highly suggest it. Pinterest's site is clean and easy to use. Not to mention it's totally addicting!

You can view and follow my profile here:  Michele's Virtual Pinboards

This is going to be a great way for me to collectively store and organize all of my visual inspiration for new products, patterns, and decorating ideas. My next home project is going to be painting my living room floor white. I'm loving that look right now! Stay tuned!