Small Treasures

   

 

    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 turned out. A lot of people wanted to claim it when they saw it. Of course I told them I would not make more, because I only make one-of-a-kind treasures.

            I figure why not take a random adventure and come up with a doodle. I did another heart shape but more in a block form. While I was whittling the knife slipped and took a good slice into my finger, I didn’t let the cut stop me, put a pressure bandage on and finished the project. When I was video messaging my family and they saw my finger with a bandage on it. My mom joked about if my finger was still attached. I had to respond sarcastically, I drew a funny stick figure on the bandage and sent it to them. We all got a good laugh.

  I got thinking about how smaller projects that can have a little more “randomness,” will help the creative process. Because I can take a small piece of wood and “just see what happens.” Creating my necklaces I then started to use my rotary tool to power carve them. Helped with the small cuts, and the finishing process. At first the necklace pendants took a little time to make but nothing more than 4 ish hours I would guess. As I have done them more, I was able to have them made within about 2 hours depending on the design. It was a different way of using my hobby to manage my stress, especially when I needed a few hours to have fun “creating something.”

            Brainstorming new ideas is very dangerous, especially when the question “how can I make this better?” Or “what else could I add to give a different look?” It got me researching and I taught myself how to inlay. I first started to use different kinds of wire, including brass. There were a few challenges that I had to figure out. The first one was “what kind of glue to use.” The research on different kinds of glues really made my brain hurt. I found I needed one glue for when I put rhinestones and birth stones in the project. I found with wire inlay I needed a stronger glue, which resorted to me superglue. Despite being extremely careful, superglue is messier than you realize. Well, at least for me it is. The next challenge was having the right side cut into the wood for it to fit snug. There are two measurements which I need to consider, both depth and width. Making clean corners is really difficult and I still have not figured out a good way to have the corners look great. I only can make them look kind of good.

 The next question to figure out was what to do with all the necklaces. The answer was simple to give them away to the right people. It was easy to use them as gifts for multiple reasons. Inspiration came similar as to the bigger projects from random ideas to having a person in mind. Despite how simple this may sound, I still have gotten random creative block and have just stared at a piece of wood.

  As people have seen these, they have resorted to the suggestion that I need to be selling my work. I, however, felt the hobby was more important and seeing what kind of impact I can have with it. I also knew that I needed to get my work out to be enjoyed and loved first. I want to make more custom cherished pieces. I have a very supportive family, who I know would be great models for me. I came up with a bunch of designs and they got to pick. Well one aunt played got to pick for them and then deliver them. All my aunts loved my work and wears them with pride. My mother is also a very good model. I have made so many necklaces she sometime has a hard time choosing “which one to wear today.” My mom also loves being a delivery person when either of us gets inspired to give one away. My mom tells me all the complements she receives when she has a necklace on.

            It fills my heart especially for close people to make them a necklace. A cousin of mine saw a necklace my mom was wearing and loved it. Of course, the timing was perfect because I was in a creative mood and made her a custom one. She loved how it turned out especially considering I included the birthstones of her family.

     With my brainless storming of social media. I was inspired by seeing the name of my kindergarten teacher. I immediately knew that she needed a necklace. I was talking to my parents and asked about them. I advised my mom of my inspiration, and she agreed. I assumed it was going to be a few days before she would deliver it. My mom was more motivated than I thought, especially considering it was a Sunday and what is better than visiting old friends. The perk of growing up in a small town. This step has progressed into making key chains, refrigerator magnets, and for Christmas last year, ornaments.

      Some people feel that gifts need to have a purpose. With making necklaces I have learned and came to appreciate a different view. The simple gesture of “I was thinking about you.” Can help a person in unexplainable ways. I have had a few friends who have told me after giving them a necklace “I needed this more than you know.” Especially for them knowing it’s handmade, and one of a kind.

            I have found this hobby to have a valuable variety that works in multiple ways. Variety for being able to create many different things, both large and small. It has open doors that I was not expecting. Making my small crafts helps when I have gaps between big projects and when I need a break. Like I have mentioned before, sometimes my motivation might dwindle during a project, especially when sanding is involved.

            After three years of doing my woodwork, I have come to the conclusion that I am not opposed to selling my work in the right situation. However, I do not regret not selling my work too soon. Because I started the adventure to help myself find balance, love, and enjoyment for the craft. I knew it was more important being a young hobbyist to stay focused on my goals first and see where the natural progress goes. Sharing my work in multiple ways has been a blessing in my life. People love seeing what I come up with. In turn despite not asking, they have blessed me with an occasional donation to my craft. This has been a blessing to allow me to continue my journey and share my treasures. Creating lasting memories and treasures to be cherished forever.