All I ever need

I visited an old haunt of mine today. 

I needed a reminder of my heart, my home.

My center.

As I hit the trail, the smell of warm, dry grass and pine needles soothed my heart. I was home.

The wind wrapped around me, fiercely, like a warm, comforting blanket.

The grass cracked under my feet as I climbed up a mound--one of many little cairn-like mounds found all over this part of the Gorge. I sat, wrote, watched.

Breathed deep.

Things I remembered out there:

City life makes me feel crazy

All I ever need is myself and the elements

None of it really matters

Remember to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes

How to walk on shale (just like riding a bike)

Things I forgot:

Sunscreen

Bug Spray

Tecnu

The jerks, the betrayals, the negativity, the losses (for a little bit, anyway).

...And this is where she ended up....

The End of "Nothing New"

Yesterday was my birthday.

31.

After this last year, it is such a relief. I am ready to leave 30 behind. It was an extremely transformative year, but it was also extremely difficult. I am looking to the future with brightness and hope.

Yesterday also marked the end of my "Nothing New" project.

This is where it all started. The desire to investigate that compulsion to spend. Why we "need" all the things we have. Why we continue to encourage the production and consumption of junk.

Initially, my response was interesting. I went into the Gap with one of my friends last summer, and had this crazy reaction, this desire to have everything. To buy everything...probably because I knew I couldn't. I had the same reaction in Anthropologie not long after...this intense longing, and frustration that I couldn't just buy what I wanted. And then, when I was Christmas shopping (yes, I did buy a couple new, necessary items like snow boots), I kept wandering around, waiting for things to jump at me. They never did. I had this comforting feeling that I had everything I needed and wanted. That feeling hasn't left.

Granted, I did make a few exceptions throughout the year.
Shoes and dress for a wedding.
New sandals.
Snow boots.
A knit skirt, because I knew I'd never find it at goodwill.
A curling iron.

My purchases are more conscious. Before I was going to go shopping for a new dress for my tea party, I looked in my closet. Luckily, one of my favorite dresses fit me again and I didn't have to go shopping! I try to borrow things before buying them. I look for used. I love love love Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, and thrift stores.

And while my initial impulse at the end of this project was to go celebrate by treating myself to something, that quickly subsided.

This is what I have been up to....

Evolution of the Teapot, Part I

It's happening, folks....

The teapot has gone from a big ol' cylinder to this...

Because of flaws in my design process, I most likely won't be using my design with the ladder and windows, but will be going for a more modern shape. Somewhat cone-like with a slight angle, and a little flaring out at the top. A beautiful wooden handle and finial for the top, as well. I also plan on making a tea strainer for this beauty (should probably get started on that).

The process has been interesting. I am definitely feeling the strain of hammering on my body, which is somewhat heartbreaking. No, really heartbreaking. It's always hard to realize that your body has limitations in doing what you love. 

It's been slow going because of this--I'm only able to raise about 1/3 of the shape at any given time. But, I have a goal and am persistent. 

It will be beautiful, no matter what.

Zen and the Art of Soldering

Soldering this vessel is no joke.

She is a beast. Ten inches tall, and about five inches in diameter. 

She requires two people for soldering, each manning a massive torch with flames the length of your arm. 

The heat is remarkable. I make sure to remove all of my jewelry so that it doesn't heat up and burn my skin, as well as wear eye protection so my contacts don't dry out.

Yesterday, our soldering attempt went well--there are a couple little gaps that will be lightly hammered and will hopefully fill when we solder the inside today.

And then....I can start raising.

I can tell that this thing is going to kill me....