One Priceless Treasure

       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...

            With starting my hobby, I found the hardest part was deciding “what to make.” I was scrolling brainlessly on social media and found “whittling.”   Which is where you carve more of a three-dimensional shape, but not with chisels you use a knife. After finding this and concluded why not try I had to figure out “what to make.” Randomly I thought about making necklace pendants. I found some material blocks which were suitable for my learning adventure. I found some reasonable whittling knives online. The first idea I wanted to make was five hearts in a row. Yes, the project got hypothetically stolen by my mother, even before it was finished, no argument from me because my projects will find their own home.             Hand drawing hearts so they look even in size and shape is a lot harder than you would expect, especially in a 1-inch space. After it was finished, I loved how it turne...

Creating things by hand is difficult. From having the idea, to motivation, and willing to invest money, and effort. The elegance that a handmade project can change the look of a room. About 11 years ago I was walking through the hobby lobby and found a clock that looked like a pocket watch. My mom had mentioned a few times she needed a new wall clock that she could see from the kitchen. The old one was not keeping the best time. I found my mom and pitched the idea of having a box with frames around it and the clock would hang in the center. I remember my mom’s eyes light up and her response was “go for it.” It was a fun adventure building it with my dad and figuring out how to finish it. I realized quickly after finishing the project I did the frames wrong. I made the center the exact size of the photo which doesn’t work. My mom used her problem-solving skills of colored paper to hold the pictures in place. However, this was my dad and I’s first adventure of making frames and didn’t re...

          I love every project that I have created and will create. I have explained different things I have learned from the project. I look back at my old work with a different perspective because of my experience and with my improved skills. While I look back, I critique my work and figure ways I could have made them better. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous because you lose appreciation for the foundation you worked so hard to build. I would not change anything with my projects. The priceless moments through creating and being able to give them away is worth more. The foundation from where I started is too valuable and priceless to me. My work is an example of the true value of investing time, effort, and patience. The effort with trying different things and “seeing what happens.” I do not regret any projects, even the ones I have considered to be a failure. A failed project is either when a major mistake happened, or I put it to the side and loose i...

            I showed my family my first project when it was roughly carved. My family was impressed. My loveable mother turned into Segal’s from finding Nemo and stated “mine, mine.” Her next line was “you’re going to redecorate my entire house.” My answer was not exactly, and you must be patient. I had to tell her “You have to share and can’t claim everything.” My family loves to have fun. I also found my families jokes as fun motivation. The current joke in my family is when something creative needs to be made or a solution needs to be developed. The answer is “just tell kami she will figure it out,” or “just give kami time she will come up with something.”               I would get asked “who is this project for?” My normal answer is “I don’t know.” Project inspiration comes in many ways. I either come up with a random idea, or I have a person in mind and then the project comes. With each...

        Exploring a hobby, especially the resources and material that are needed will be very overwhelming. When I started carving wood, I found a lot of information online very one-sided opinion on tools and the material. The hard thing for a person who is “just starting,” the one-sided opinion can be confusing, intimidating, and possibly expensive. I have made the mistake with other ideas in the past overbuying what supplies I thought were needed and then losing interest quickly. I fell victim to the “you have to have in order to be successful.” Which I have learned not to be true and be dangerous. Dangerous in many ways from, being overwhelmed to “where” and “how” to start. I know now that it can limit focus for skill development. Ultimately it risks you from ever wanting to try. In some situation can make a person think “you have to have everything before you can even start,” which to is also not true. Also spending money on things that you don’t use and will tak...

       After doing research and ordering chisels I wanted to try. The process continued. The first question I asked myself was “what do I want to achieve?” The simple question of “what to make?” Through research and pondering ideas what usually comes to mind is sculptures. Sculptures are and can be breathtaking to look at. Unknowing to people is the amount of effort, skill, and tools required. I had many factors to consider for what to make, but the biggest one was “sculptures can need a good amount of space.” Do not get me wrong, they are beautiful and lovely to look at. I realized starting out I needed to focus on “the average person.” What I could create for the average person and “have a function.” I was also in the mindset that I did not want to “create clutter.” Considering that I am currently living in a one-bedroom apartment, with limited space. This was always an adventure when I cooked something. Being just me, I can only eat baked good so much before they ...

My name is Kami. About 3 years ago I was feeling lost, confused, and stuck. I was just going through the motion of life. I knew something was missing but did not know what. I was talking to a friend and mentor who gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me. That was “you will find the way to leave a legacy.” I knew I needed a change but did not know what. This is the story of how I have developed a love for “bring to life random and creative ideas. Creating memories and treasures to cherish forever.” This ability has come through creating art through different forms. From wood carving, wood burning, glass engraving, and more. This has impacted my life all because I sat down and was willing to try. I will warn you, grammar and writing are not my strengths, but I will try my best.             February of 2022 I was feeling stuck and knew that I needed more. When I talked to my family and friends about how I was feeling I would get...