Make do

Make do with what you have.

I have to repeat this to myself when I'm daydreaming about buying more stones, gallery wire, a new saw, these really cool tweezers I just learned about... I have a mile long wish list!

Here's a story about a metalsmith that motivates me to make use of the supplies I already have.

There was a metalsmith who had only the most basic tools. A saw, files, mallet. That's about it. He worked with what he had and produced good work everyday using only cold connections. He had an old table that he used as a workbench. All of his tools and supplies fit in a small tackle box.

It makes me think of this saying that I love:

Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, Or do without.

.