IMG_1606This month I was able to complete some pieces. I finished my first pendant, the silver was gifted to me from Jenny for practicing lines. It was such a nice piece I thought it would make a nice Eagle pendant. In my previous post I talked about free handing the design on. I then engraved and carved the piece under Jenny’s instructions. It felt really good to finish this piece and I gifted it to my son who’s 7 the day of the Elizabeth Peratrovich celebration at the school he wore it proudly!
I’m hitting a stride with my Raven earrings I know all of the steps now and I can more or less create them on my own now which I am very grateful for. The design itself turned out well and can last the test of time not to be arrogant its basic can be changed around but still quality. I’m still working on my matching Eagle design. It’s taking more time to get right, the Raven came together naturally. I’m taking the time to get Mr Eagle just right and is about there.
This whole adventure into engraving is very humbling. I’m thankful my mentor only accepts the highest quality she got started with many of the masters and knows what quality is and how it’s attained. Working this way and only accepting the highest quality maintains a lifetime of learning which working with this art form you can spend a lifetime of sharpening your skills. My tools are starting to come together I’ve spent a lot of time hunting for tools on eBay. My brother and I went in on a large order of gravers 21 I believe we Received. All different sizes to be used in different applications. The box was dated 1971 and I believe they were in storage the whole time. Some things are better the older they are in this case it’s true the quality of steel from that time period is the highest quality. I also received my first order of silver for future pieces which felt like Christmas.
I also took a field trip to a fellow apprentice Rob Martins work space. It was very inspiring to see his space and to see what I can strive for for my own work space. His work speaks for itself it is very quality and his tools of the trade are also.
I’m thankful for a culturally rich winter and doing these things similar to how the ancestors would have done them.
