Ben,

Have you tried using the Microsoft StatusBar Control 6.0 ActiveX that comes with Visual Studio? Its based on the Win32 common status bar control and can be quite flexible.

To insert this you open your form and select the ActiveX Control (OleControl) button from the Form Controls toolbar and click to place the control on the forms client area. After a couple of seconds you will be presented with a dialog box (Insert Object) from which you must select the Insert Control radio button (far left) which will reset the list contents with all available ActiveX controls. Scroll down the list until you see "Microsoft StatusBar Control 6.0" and then select the OK button, this will insert the control on the form.

HTH
Neil