Monday, March 31, 2014

Ever learning....


I estimate that I am still about 5,000 hours short on the reported 10,000 hours of work one must put into their craft to be considered a master.





I sometimes think that by about half way in I shouldn't be making the mistakes I do.

My worst enemy has always been lack of patience. I had to replace a stone in the above earrings, and I should have annealed the bezel before resetting. It has taken me making that mistake twice to finally get it.

I read recently a comment by another smith that gave me permission in my own mind to embrace the way I work as "acceptable". I guess being self taught does that to you. Doubt.

The comment was: I spend as much time finishing as I do fabricating.

I am always learning. I'll "try" ;) to stop myself from periodically wondering if I wasn't spending too much time trying to get something finished. I feel like I am just now beginning to fully understand how important finishing is. The filing, sanding, polishing.....and that leads me to another comment I saw a few years ago that I still remember.

That comment was by a fine jeweler who was appalled at the finishing he sees. Lots of great new designers, but terrible craftsmanship. Ouch!




I'm happier with these. No weird bezels ;)

I look forward to continuing to learn. I guess one day it will just all come together and I'll remember to do it all just right. At least I hope!


Friday, March 21, 2014

It felt good...


...to make something. Just a little something.





It's been so long since I've been in the studio. I say that. Really it's only been like 4 or 5 days. But it seems longer.

My days are filled with life matters. Paperwork, tax offices, auctions. Getting our personal taxes done after finishing the business taxes last week. Ugh. Being a grown up sucks.

Funny thing about being a grown up. I just noticed I was one after I turned 40. That kinda sucked. I need to get myself out of a funk! 40 isn't 60, or 80. 40 is just the beginning of middle age right? Gads, even admitting that depresses me! Do women have mid life crises? Ugh... All I know is after I wade through the muck and come out on the side of acceptance it will be really awesome.

I can almost see the spot where I can stand not giving a fig about what anyone thinks. I might just surprise you one of these days and tell you what I really think! About any and everything. It will be controversial, it will be fun (for me!), it will make us laugh, and it will make us cry. I'm in the middle of the mire but I can see the shore and I am rallying my strength to complete the journey.

Isn't life interesting?