But first

We are almost one week into IMTM, and I have not yet started my project. Since it doesn't look like it's going to make itself, I guess I'm going to be proactive.

As always, the first order of business is cleaning my desk. I've spent most of the last couple weeks prepping models and painting props, so the working space was covered in models, props, sandpaper, modeling paste, paint and pastels.

No longer! This looks like a tack shop again.

Because it's easy to lose things when switching between projects, I use "job boxes" to contain unfinished parts and pieces. These little plastic containers are my favorite. I'm not sure exactly what comes in them, but whatever it is, it's something Seth buys a lot. It seems like every time he comes home from (RC) hobby shop, he's got a couple new ones for me.

The next item on my agenda was opening and putting away my new Rio Rondo order.

Every year, Anna Helt partners with some of the hobby's best suppliers to provide special deals for IMTM participants. Although I probably have enough hardware to last me a lifetime, I couldn't resist placing a small Rio Rondo order.

Here's what I got in my IMTM grab bag.

Once everything was unpacked, I got out my hardware organizers and started putting things away.

Some of the grab bag items are really small.

By definition, all model horse tack hardware is small, but this is ridiculous.

So little my phone can't even focus on it.

For the sake of comparison, here's a pair of traditional, 1:9 scale halter squares next to... some ridiculously tiny scale halter squares.

I can not imagine I will ever make a single double bridle this tiny let alone four of them. If you think you might, let me know in the comments section. I'd be happy to send these - and some of the other minuscule hardware - to you free of charge. In the likely event that multiple people are interested, I will use a random number generator to choose the lucky winner.

And just like that, my desk is clear and everything's put away. I guess there's nothing left to do except actually start this bridle.