One Priceless Treasure

       I was talking to my brother about different creative ideas. My brother makes things out of EVA foam. He expressed that he wanted to make a sword. We started brainstorming and talking about different components to consider for a functional sword. After I got off the phone with him for the next two days or so, the idea of making a sword didn’t leave my mind. I then started asking myself how I could make a sword out of materials that I use. Don’t get me wrong, a wood sword is not a knew idea. Exploring online I found videos of people making beautiful swords for wood, but there made with multiple pieces. I became engulfed with how many different kinds of swords have been made throughout history. I found an appreciation for the historical significance and how they were able to create beautiful work by hand.             I kept pondering, developing a plan, and of course trying to talk myself out of it. But I c...

           I was in the medieval project mood and was pondering other ideas I could make. While I was doing research for different ideas, I could use a sword and shield, I found many different shapes and styles. Through my research I took different elements from multiple shields and developed my own idea. I started drawing with my friend graph paper, just shape reference lines.   I will say while drawing this project, it’s difficult to make sure everything is lined up.             I picked out the piece of wood I wanted to use which dictated the size of the project. I try not to stress the size and keep it simple to the materials which are readily available. Yes, this does bring some limitations, however I look at it more for as “inspired design challenge.” It can help you work with the meaning to have, to craft something amazing. I finished the reference lines and of course it “looked boxy.” I c...

     I have met many people, and some have become valuable mentors. Who has taught me, helped me, and supported me through adventures which modeled me into the person I am today. Some people might say a mentor is only a person “who has taught you something.” I found that not to be true. A mentor is anyone who not only is a teacher, but gives support, encouragement, and is a good listener. Because sometimes I just need someone to listen as I talked my way through a problem. There is always one thing I found in common with each mentor, they never expected anything of monetary value in return. Of course, a regular visit and adventure story time is always fun. How can you repay someone who doesn’t expect or want anything? Especially when they say, “just pay it forward,” but can you pay it forward but in reverse. The answer is simple if you are willing to work for it. It comes through the sharing of your different talents and abilities. Repaying can be paying it forward in d...

            The hardest part of wood carving and doing crafts is “what to make.” Especially when you don’t want to make “everyday things.” I know there is nothing wrong with that. But for me I love unique and different challenging factors. I also find that being different gives me different capabilities and a way of looking at things. It helped inspire me to explore options which could help create endless possibilities. Researching for inspiration and opportunities to learn and try.      Each project has its interesting challenges, necessary evils, and of course problems to solve. Which yes, can change fun into stress. From the start people have tried to convince me that I should sell my work. I was surprised considering I had just done one project and had not even finished it yet. I knew I still had plenty to learn. I knew that selling my work was not on the table and would not be for a while. I needed to first figure out if this was “s...

       I have learned to stay patient with myself and explore whatever opportunities I can. I have appreciated value in variety and variability of different projects. Keeps a fresh look and opens many possibilities if you’re willing to try. It’s been a good way to challenge myself and improve my skills. I do believe that it has inspired other projects as well. I was scheduled to visit my parents one spring. My mom asked if motivation strikes to refinish the picnic table. Now this table was many years old. I don’t know how old, but remember “just growing up,” having the table. My response “No, I will not refinish, but I will rebuild it.” The table was great, but it had its problems being exposed to the Utah weather. With the flexibility of my family my parents agreed with me and made the investment. The table was easily constructed from dimensional lumber and metal legs. I then made the obvious supportive changes so the wood ends wouldn’t warp over time, well hopefull...

     I was in a gap between projects and looking for inspiration. Inspiration to challenge and improve my skills and abilities. My inspiration triggered a brave choice to try a failed project again. I have had many projects that I stopped working on, for many reasons. The biggest reason for stopping is “I wasn’t liking how the project was turning out.” Which unfortunately caused many questions to be asked and my motivation to dwindle. All however was not lost. There was a lot of unspoken learning and unrealized skill development because “I tried.” One thing I never considered was to retry a project which most people have classified as a failure. Especially if they are fearful of “failing again.”      With brainstorming and continuing to look for inspiration, I saw my first attempt of the Salt Lake temple. I saw it but at first wasn’t sure. I continued to look for ideas. However, the Salt Lake temple idea continued to come back. Which prompted the foundati...