I like to make things. I grew up with building toys and scale model kits. My efforts at making musical instruments started in earnest while I was in high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy, when my mom gave me a book called Sound Design, by Reinhold Banek and Jon Scoville. That book revealed to me that glass plate and bottles could be cut and drilled. From there, I learned a little about wood working, soldering, stained glass, welding, manual machining, blacksmithing, computer-aided design, 3D printing…I don’t know what’s next, but I look forward to it!
The photos below represent many projects over the years.
![Built at Ithaca College, circa 1989](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/glass-marimba_0001-300x258.jpg)
Built at Ithaca College, circa 1989
![cut glass windchimes](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Aleo-glass1-e1477528040152-152x300.jpg)
cut glass wind chimes
![cut glass wind chimes](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Aleo-glass2-e1477528013122-225x300.jpg)
cut glass wind chimes
![Custom cut glass wind chimes, designed and fabricated by Sonja Branch](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/windchimes-copy-167x300.jpg)
Custom cut glass wind chimes, designed and fabricated by SDBranch
![Built for my nieces, late 1990's](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/amadinda_0002-300x268.jpg)
Built for my twin nieces, late 1990’s
![After hauling these drums around in other ways, I modified a handtruck to make transporting dununs easier. I made 3 of these for Mark Sunkett and the African Drum Ensemble while I was at ASU.](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/dunun-cart-copy-707x1024.jpg)
After hauling these drums around in other ways, I modified a handtruck to make transporting dununs easier. I made 3 of these for Mark Sunkett and the African Drum Ensemble while I was at ASU.
![medium shakere, June 2012](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/shakere-1-e1477529703377-189x300.jpg)
medium shakere, June 2012
![Green and gold shakere, June 2012](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/GG-shakere-copy-223x300.jpg)
Green and gold shakere, June 2012
![Height-adjustable, folding aluminum surdo stand. Made for Dom Moio, circa 2002](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/surdo-stand-copy.jpg)
Height-adjustable, folding aluminum surdo stand. Made for Dom Moio, circa 2002
![This system was commissioned by Emmy Ayafor. He wanted the ability to play multiple drums with fast set-up and easy mobility. The aluminum rack snaps into place with spring pins and the cross pieces are adjustable for drums of different diameters.](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/cart-assembly2-.jpg)
This system was commissioned by Emmy Ayafor. He wanted the ability to play multiple drums with fast set-up and easy mobility. The aluminum rack snaps into place with spring pins and the cross pieces are adjustable for drums of different diameters.
![Franken-drum, before](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FsFDb4-300x225.jpg)
Franken-drum, before
![Frankenstein's Field Drum](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FsFD3-e1477535520794-297x300.jpg)
Frankenstein’s Field Drum
![As-is, from the pawn shop](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/matador-before-e1477535578625-225x300.jpg)
As-is, from the pawn shop
![Stripped and sanded. I had hoped to make this drum match the other 2 with "natural" finish. But the stain is too deep, and pink was not an option!](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/matador-stripped-e1477535614926-225x300.jpg)
Stripped and sanded. I had hoped to make this drum match the other 2 with “natural” finish. But the stain is too deep, and pink was not an option!
![After many coats of ebony stain and polyurethane](http://sonjabranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/matador-after-e1477536239543-193x300.jpg)
After many coats of ebony stain and polyurethane