Monday Night Special

I look forward to Monday nights! After running around with my kids. Dropping one off here and taking the other one there. Napping one before picking up the other. Taking calls and texts. Following up on emails and scheduling appointments in between. I get dinner ready, feed the kids and wait anxiously for "dad" to come home so that I can drive forty minutes away to my metalsmithing class.

It a place I can go for a few hours and not worry about this or that. I can just enjoy being a student surrounded by my peers. My happy place where I learn new techniques and come in contact with hot flames and heavy/sharp tools. So fun.

This week I spent most of my time ceremoniously banging a bracelet into a c-shape and flattening the arms. Listening to the hammer hit metal around an anvil was surprisingly meditative.

Here is what you learn in jewelry making:
--However patient you think you are, you can always be more.
--Anything handmade isn't perfect. Embrace the flaws.
--Sometimes your designs can evolve on the spot and you just go with it because it feels right.

Bottom line, if you put your heart and soul into anything (adding a little blood, sweat and tears along the way), you'll end up with something spectacular.

The teacher's workspace. A whole lot of things going on. 

Did you know that even the simplest design can require many many tools?