Metal magic
Chatterbox question
Dear Chatterbox,
I like making metal models, but my hands don’t work well anymore. I need to figure out how to bend the metal without damaging the enamel or breaking the metal.
— Chatterbox member Madelon
Our response
Hi Madelon,
Metal models is very interesting and hopefully using a few tips and tricks you can continue to make them.
Pad everything that touches the enamel
Use silicone or painter's tape to provide extra cushioning and protection for the enamel.
Use leverage and not grip strength
If pliers are painful to use, a bench vise: Opens in new window made with a softer material such as soft copper or nylon may prevent damage to the enamel or metal. This would then allow you to push or pull the end of the pieces with more leverage and less force.
If you're already stabilising the material with a vise and need further support in making the bend, consider an arbor press: Opens in new window . It has a longer handle which may make this easier.
Bend the metal in stages
Scoring the enamel with a knife (and caution, as this could be unsafe if not careful) will relieve pressure from the enamel cracking. Make bends in small stages rather than one sharp bend.
Consider metal alternatives
Brass and copper can be easier metals to bend. However, you would need to consider if this is durable enough for your model.
Consider ergonomic add-ons
Foam or silicone grip sleeves can help distribute the pressure on your hands and support your grip.
Crafting for fun
Chatterbox question
Dear Chatterbox,
Craft is a hobby I really love. It’s something I’ve enjoyed for a long time – working with my hands, creating something tactile, and getting into the rhythm of making.
As someone who is deafblind, I sometimes face barriers that make crafting more difficult. One of the biggest challenges is accessing the fine details of the materials I’m working with.
A magnifier lamp or video magnifier could really help – allowing me to see textures and shapes more clearly, and giving me more independence in my hobby. These tools can be expensive, and it’s not always easy to know what will actually work best for me.
— Chatterbox member Kirsty
Our response
Hi Kirsty,
It’s clear how important crafting is to you, and I hope that some of the links and resources below could help you to get into the rhythm of crafting again.
You mentioned that a magnifier lamp or video magnifier might help give you more independence in your hobbies. Have you considered these examples?
- Crafters Choice Led Amplifier Table Lamp White: Opens in new window
- Ryobi 18V ONE+ Magnifying Clamp Light: Opens in new window
- 1.5x Chest Magnifier: Opens in new window
- Daylight Yoyo Magnifier LED: Opens in new window
If you’re wanting to build connections with other crafters, you could try the Makerspace at Curtin University. It runs a variety of craft sessions with like-minded people.
The Australian Library of Things Network is another place you could try. You may be able to borrow AT you've been meaning to try, especially if it's too expensive to buy or you're still working out which option is right for you.
For more inspiration you could read a couple of articles on the AT Chat and iLA websites about crafting:
- Greg’s story on the AT Chat website: Opens in new window
- AT suggestions, as well as examples of crafts you could try, on the LiveUp website: Opens in new window
Irish harpist
Chatterbox question
Dear Chatterbox,
I would love to learn the Irish harp but both time poor and it's expensive.
— Chatterbox member Kathy
Our response
Hi Kathy,
While we don’t have a leprechaun on staff to help with finances, or any specific time travelling AT at our disposal, we’d like to offer a couple of suggestions:
Explore online classes
Learning online might help you to do short sessions of learning. You could start and stop around your other commitments. You could also learn outside of regular business hours (depending on whether it would disturb anyone else that lives with you).
Here are some options:
- Online Academy of Irish Music offers an online course called Learn How to Play the Celtic Harp with a free 14 day trial (22 euro per month or 95 euro for 6 months). You can access the first: Opens in new window and second lesson: Opens in new window on YouTube to see what you think.
- Amazing Talker, SuperProf, and Music Teachers Online offer the option to search for tutors near you or online, and list the rates of the tutors.
Look into a skills swap
To save money, you could look at connecting with an Irish exchange student or someone from your local Irish Community. For example, see the Irish Club of WA, the Claddagh Association, Perth Comhaltas (Australia), or Irish in Perth | Facebook: Opens in new window . You may be able to arrange a skills or service swap.
Craving crochet
Chatterbox question
Dear Chatterbox,
I loved your resources on Sensory Kits last month and would like to learn to crochet so I can use it as part of my toolkit when I am out and about. I have joint hypermobility, which means sometimes the joints in my hands move out of place and this can cause a lot of pain, which limits how I can move my hands and what I can do. Have you got any suggestions?
— Anonymous
Our response
Hi Anon,
Here's some AT to check out:
Arthritis or adaptive crochet hooks
These might be helpful because they have large handles and a soft grip to help reduce pain and muscle fatigue.
Adaptive grip aids
These are soft, flexible, and stretchy silicone aids that can support hand grip. It can help with strength, mobility, and proprioception.
For example:
- Hook Helper - Interchangeable ergonomic silicone crochet hook handle, from Etsy: Opens in new window
- Ergozebra Starter Pack Gift Set - Arthritis, Ehlers Danlos, and hypermobility friendly, from Etsy: Opens in new window
Foam tubing
This is also known as plastazote tubing. It's available in various sizes and can be used to provide a built-up handle for easier gripping of cutlery, pens, and crochet hooks.
The tubing is non-absorbent, non-sticky, washable, and dishwasher safe. This reduces the risk of affecting your yarn.
Another option is a beauty blender: Opens in new window .
Crochet hook helpers
For example, the Crochetobe Tool: Opens in new window assists crocheters with:
- Controlling tension
- Reducing hand fatigue
- Improving overall comfort during crocheting
Digital row counters
These are counters you wear on your finger. You can use them to keep track of stitches or rows.
For example:
Yarn holders
You could use a yarn bowl, hands free portable yarn holder, or the Wool Jeanie Magnetic.
These can hold your yarn while you work, giving you a constant feed of yarn for an evenly knitted or crocheted item.
For example:
Stitch markers
These can be used to secure your stitch while you're not working on your project. They can also mark any significant points in your project. You can slip them on or off marked stitches whenever you like.
Yarn tension rings
These can be worn on your finger to help to keep yarns untangled and at an even tension while crocheting.
For example:
Yarn winders
These can be helpful when rewinding balls of yarn or frogging large projects.
Light up crochet hooks
These offer a light range setting from medium to bright, making them perfect for crocheting in low light without straining your eyes.
And the best part? They only take 15 minutes to fully charge, giving you a solid 7 to 9 hours of crochet time!
They can be helpful when working with dark yarns and in low light. However, the light moving might impact people who suffer from nausea or motion sickness.
A stable table
If you're sitting in a chair, use a table as a stable platform to support your arms. This can reduce tiredness in your hands while crocheting or doing other craft that uses your hands.
For anyone with low vision
Crochet might be easier than knitting because the needles are thicker and it’s easier to see the holes.
Helpful AT might include:
- A magnifier
- Large print patterns
- Braille patterns
In WA, VisAbility can provide alternative formats of documents to eligible people who have a print disability for free. This includes Braille knitting and crochet patterns.
Helpful links
- Low-risk AT for leisure | KeepAble: Opens in new window
- Adult daily living activities: Opens in new window (EasyHold), YouTube: Opens in new window (video showing it used for crochet hook)
- Testing ergonomic crochet hook hacks - YouTube: Opens in new window (comparing tennis ball, beauty blender and Boye ergonomic crochet hook handle)
- Buy plastazote tubing online - Independent Living Specialists: Opens in new window
- Full review of Crochetobe Tool!: Opens in new window
- The WoolJeanie - review and how to assemble/use - YouTube: Opens in new window
- They're hooked! Braille crochet and knitting patterns - VisAbility WA: Opens in new window
Raise your voice
Chatterbox question
Dear Chatterbox,
I really enjoy singing and want to sing with other people. Ideally, I’d like to join a choir, but I have a physical disability that affects my mobility and get tired easily, so transport and accessibility of the venue might be tricky. Do you have any ideas?
— Anonymous
Our response
Hi Anon,
Have you considered joining a virtual choir? A few pieces of mainstream equipment might be the AT that make this successful.
Links for some online choirs
- Virtual Online Choir - Pop Choir: Opens in new window (uses Zoom, $49.85/Monthly, with option for free trial)
- Soul Song Choirs Viral Choir: Opens in new window (uses Zoom. $133- $205/term or $12-18/week, with option for free trial)
- The Adult Glee Club: Opens in new window ($240/quarter, with option for $25 trial)
Equipment needed
The choirs listed above use Zoom, rather than specific audio recording software. This means to join in you’ll need:
- A tablet, laptop, or desktop computer that can use Zoom
- A microphone
- Headphones
- A stable internet connection
If you don’t have enough USB ports on your device, you might find a simple USB hub helpful. For example:
To reduce fatigue, you might consider a microphone with a built-in stand. The stand keeps the microphone stable and allows for flexible positioning. For example:
Over-ear headphones are recommended to monitor the audio during recording and prevent sound bleed into the microphone. With any headphones, it’s important to try them on first if you can, to ensure that they fit well, are easy to put on and take off and are comfortable for extended periods of use.
For example:
Other helpful links
- Jamulus ‒ Play music online. With friends. For free.: Opens in new window
- How do online choir rehearsals work without latency? INTERKULTUR: Opens in new window
The links in this article are not affiliate links. We do not earn money if you buy something through them.
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