Grassroots-fun in the ole' wood shop.
The thing about grassroots is that everyone has a instrument to play. Just as each of us
has his or her compelling issue, for me it is ET (energy technology). Each of us also has an individual way to contribute to the effort. Some will give cash, others time. Options include voter registration, data entry, phone calls, and knocking on doors.
As I am more visual than verbal, this diary being evidence, and as I am bullshit intolerant, my contributions tend to be more subliminal and less confrontational. I would be, as my draft board once noted " a poor candidate " for direct contact.
Typically, I have made a series of Obama buttons, and embroidered patches, and left them as freebie's in restaurants and public places around Chicago.
Because I have building that abuts the Chicago Metro line, I figured I have a captive audience of thousands of commuters that use this line to work downtown.
Holy Crap, Batman ! Let's make a giant Obama button !
More under the fold...
First thing to do is to come up with a design. On the Obama site you will find a download section, where you are welcome to grab basic designs free. (The are only 72 dpi so you may need to rework) This is what I came up with...
Next, you have to find someone to make a vinyl billboard sign for you. I used Chicago Printing Center in Skokie. Tudor as an Obama supporter, reworked my logo free of charge,
produced the proofs and made the sign in 3 days. (e-mail info@chicagoprintingcenter.com)
You can probably google up a local maker.
I decided on a 8' diameter, because I figured I'd put together 2 3/4" 4x8 sheets of plywood.
(You could order two 4' circles, and make 2 buttons out of one 4' x 8' sheet -- have a party, invite friends !)
I put the sheets together, found the center with 2 chalk lines corner to corner.
Then drilled two holes in a piece of scrap, 47 ½ apart. (Screw one end to the center, insert sharpie in the other to draw the circle.
Cut the circle out with a saw.
I then sanded the cut edges, and made a 2' x 4" boxed frame on the back. This will help keep
the button flat, and give you a surface to drill holes to lace rope to hang it with.
Next, we stretch the billboard over the plywood. (Like a painting, you staple top then bottom, right side, left side, and rotate in opposites around the circumference. I used a nail gun, with 1" staples, and made up 1/2" thick plywood "washers" to distribute the stress of the staple holes.
I put together a bracket on the parapet to hang the button from.
Volunteers ! Yeah Tim and Wojtek !
After some grunting....
Sears Tower in background
Me, Tim (aka "Toaster" of "Louder Than A Bomb / Poetry Slam" fame ) , and the leader of our cell.
Additional notes :
The white border under the button will be a spray painted "VOTE" graphic done by Toaster and some friends. ( I may update this story when done)
I am having a batch of 1 ¼ " rl buttons made up ( midweek delivery ) if you want some free my e-mail is in my bio.
Cost of vinyl billboard $220
Cost of plywood and hardware $100
Not having to think "coulda" "woulda" "shoulda" PRICELESS