Getting there, slowly but surely.

I have an unusually long-ish and odd to do list today, I'm sure you won't mind if I start with that so that I may clear my fluffy brain.
In no specific order: (edited to mark off what I was able to finish)
Poop scoop backyard
Cut open window
Install window screen in newly operable window.
De-contaminate tools used in pewter workshop.
Fold Laundry
Make Pork-chops and potatoes
Sort Findings
Wash the car
Give Milly a bath
Debate my sanity
Plan out creations to make
Make some said creations

I would like to be able to get all of that done today. The last two on the list are perpetual though and could become list's of there own.

I took a 3 day intensive workshop over the weekend with Fred Fenster on Pewtersmithing. It was my second time in this workshop and so I was left to tinker somewhat on my own.  I can't work with the stuff in my own studio as pewter contaminates other fine metals. It has such a low melting point that if a spec of it gets on the copper, brass, or silver it would melt a black hole them. So, until I can make a second dedicated space n tools I won't work in it at home.  Anyways, I made a pewter tea strainer. I designed it to sit on top of a cup for when you pour the tea in containing loose leaves. The basket is woven.  I was told that I should try to challenge my self and so I did. Setting in that thin woven basket was a pain, but I did it. The ring on the back is soldered onto the basket, the rest is then fused together. Fusing is welding, except in pewter it's done at a very low temp. Just under 500 degrees Fahrenheit. So I basically melted it together with more pewter.

I also recently made a pair of hand cut and hammered copper earrings.

I'm working on finishing two pairs of woven earrings at the moment. One pair is fine silver and the other pair is green coated copper. Both woven pairs are already claimed work.

At the beginning of the month I had made and donated a pair of fine silver earrings for an art fundraising auction. Unfortunately the auction didn't get the patrons it needed for such. Saturday the earrings were returned to me.  They are titled "Kibou", meaning Hope in Japanese. The fundraiser had been specifically for tsunami relief and was put on by the local Japanese Saturday school here at the University.

I'm also trying to get ready for my first Art Festival, It's The Arts on Main in Kendalville and only one day. I have one month. Whew, will see. I'm mostly interested in seeing how I set up and things go for me. I can't think that I can manage to make a lot of things to actually sell in such short time. Most artist spend the winter months making stock for the summer festivals, with having been in school I didn't have that opportunity. This will mostly be a chance for me to just show my work. Maybe get a commission.

Fiber Basket


I've not really finished in of my fluffy stuff. I'm still working on a sockhead hat, an ishbel shawl, and the plain brown socks.  The stripy scarf, lattice cable hat, and pi blanket are all hibernating. I'm starting to pick the knitting back up on Thursday evenings when I go to knit with my friend. I barely knit at all the last semester of school. I simply did not have the time!   I can say though that this was TOTALLY worth taking up my knitting and social time!  No if ands or buts about it. 

I can now proudly say that I hold a B.F.A in metal smithing from Indiana University. Go me!

Wow! It's May!

Life became very busy for me, I seriously cracked down and did nothing but studio work. Hence my absenteeism. I finished last semester and this past semester with solid 4.0's. Go me!   Last night was Commencement! It took 3 hours alone for the ceremonies.  Whew, I survived.  So now maybe I can start knitting again? Hmm, will see.

I'm working on setting up my metals studio in the basement. It means a lot of sorting and moving things from upstairs all the way downstairs. If I hurry up and do this though, I will be able to immediately start working. I'm still waiting though for the phone call that my torch tips and hose kit are in.  They had said that it would be in by now. I think that I shall give them a call about it today.