So I have kind of an ironic story about a studio accident I had with these pins I use so much in my art.

I was snipping some with wire cutters and try as I may to contain the pieces some went here and there around my studio floor.

One stray went straight into the bottom of my heavily soled studio shoes. Unaware I carried it around with me until it was time to take off my shoes. My shoes are backless so I just kick them off using my other foot.  Using the foot that already had the shoe removed I kicked the back of the other shoe to remove it. Missing; my foot slipped and I stabbed myself in my big toe with the stray pin. Ouch! Hopped around a bit and thought nothing of it and went to bed.

Next day the big toe hurt even more and two days later the big red streak appeared. I was infected! What the heck? I prick myself with pins all the time.

Off to the doctor thinking I was going to have to have my toe lanced. All he gave me was antibiotics and suggested that the pin had some bacteria on it.

A few days later while taking my daily look at my unfortunate big toe to see how the infection was receding; I noticed a tiny pin head (pun intended) size dark spot, hum.  So I mustered up some courage and placed an ice pack on my toe for 10 minutes to numb it. Then I got a needle, tweezers and some alcohol swabs, disinfected them and held my breath.

I opened the sore and called my husband; this was a two person job. While I held back a piece of skin he was able to grab a hold of the dark spot (which we thought was just dried blood or something), pulling out a 3/8” (I measured it) piece of pin; the pointy part.

The body is an amazing thing; it was trying to eject this foreign object from my toe. My big toe feels so much better now, thank you.

The irony is that while I am using pins and needles to make an artistic statement about what stilettos can do to harm your feet, this very item ended up harming my foot.

Do you have a studio accident that you survived to tell the story?

Comments

comments

8 Replies

  1. How funny… in a painful, sick sort of way. Ouch!

    Of all things, I’ve mentioned on my blog before that I thought a post about studio accidents would be entertaining, but never got around to it. However, I was thinking about it the other day when I had a little “industrial accident” with a scalpel (I cut paper). Probably the worst thing I’ve ever done was an earlier scalpel accident. I slipped and the blade went right into my palm. I’m amazed I had no permanent damage–not even a scar. I think most of us are incurable. But I suppose it could be worse… I’m thinking of the carpenters I’ve known who are missing fingers. There’s a reason I’ve hesitated to get an electric rotary tool!

    1. Ouch Ellen, a scalpel certainly cuts deep. You were very lucky that there was no permanent damage.

      p.s. really like your books

      1. Thanks Kim. And speaking of books, I like your pieces from Open Book. I discovered your site while looking for some WordPress info and have been enjoying looking at all you have here.

        1. The only thing missing from WordPress comments is a like button. So consider this the thumbs up 🙂

  2. I was cringing the whole time I was reading this, yet I’m not near so sensitive when I do something like that to myself.
    Poking around, looking at your website. I like it!

    1. Yup, you have to do what you have to do, Sherri.

      Enjoy your visit and thanks for dropping by.

    1. Hi Lori, thanks for coming by. And yes I was lucky I could get it out myself with out going back into the city to the Doctor. Big toe is functioning as it should.

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