I haven't made very much yet, but I'm already noticing a pattern with what I like to make. I try to think of creative ideas, things that haven't been done before, while maintaining the simplicity and beauty of nature. I like physical objects that can be held too, and aim for a practical purpose in addition to aesthetics. My dream is to feel proficient working metal, stone and wood. I like combining techniques from different skills, experimenting with difficult ideas. I can see how chemistry and crystallography fit into my broader interests. I probably should have been a materials scientist.
Past few years I've been into geology, rocks, minerals. I'm refurbishing vintage bench grinders and should have a decent shop soon.
Old on the left, like new on the right.
Some tumbled petrified wood that placed third in a rock tumbling competition.
A bucket I made out of birch bark. I used modern wood glue to add a bottom and rim, and sealed it in tung oil. The handle is stacked birch bark, adorned with polished chert endcaps. I hope you like how it looks, but what's more impressive is how it feels. The way the feather-light cork-like bark handle fills the palm, and your thumb rests on the cold polished stone in the held hand. I sanded the rim insert so meticulously, it feels like butter. It's one whole round piece of bark, scavenged from a decaying dead tree. The oils in birch preserve the bark from weathering long after the rest of the wood has decomposed, and make the bark waterproof. It also has survival practicality. A stone age person might recognize this as an emergency fire kit. The materials could be repurposed to start a fire by hand.
Key ring earrings with jade keys.
A testament to jade's incredible toughness. These keys are less than 1mm thick along the blade, and if that wasn't impressive enough, it can even turn a lock!
I smithed the earrings myself out of gold wire, to look like a key ring.
View attachment 20231206_000235.mp4
And you've probably seen my microscope photography that has been a fun new artform for me lately. But I originally got the microscopes for petrography, metalsmithing, lapidary. I also want to do more soldering and electrical engineering. I have some crazy ideas and a half dozen projects in various states of completion.
Past few years I've been into geology, rocks, minerals. I'm refurbishing vintage bench grinders and should have a decent shop soon.
Old on the left, like new on the right.
Some tumbled petrified wood that placed third in a rock tumbling competition.
A bucket I made out of birch bark. I used modern wood glue to add a bottom and rim, and sealed it in tung oil. The handle is stacked birch bark, adorned with polished chert endcaps. I hope you like how it looks, but what's more impressive is how it feels. The way the feather-light cork-like bark handle fills the palm, and your thumb rests on the cold polished stone in the held hand. I sanded the rim insert so meticulously, it feels like butter. It's one whole round piece of bark, scavenged from a decaying dead tree. The oils in birch preserve the bark from weathering long after the rest of the wood has decomposed, and make the bark waterproof. It also has survival practicality. A stone age person might recognize this as an emergency fire kit. The materials could be repurposed to start a fire by hand.
Key ring earrings with jade keys.
A testament to jade's incredible toughness. These keys are less than 1mm thick along the blade, and if that wasn't impressive enough, it can even turn a lock!
I smithed the earrings myself out of gold wire, to look like a key ring.
View attachment 20231206_000235.mp4
And you've probably seen my microscope photography that has been a fun new artform for me lately. But I originally got the microscopes for petrography, metalsmithing, lapidary. I also want to do more soldering and electrical engineering. I have some crazy ideas and a half dozen projects in various states of completion.
