After about two months of living in MN, I can comfortably state that my earlier hypothesis - which stated that Minnesota is too cold for any sane human to live in - is true.
Yes, yes, I'm still alive. But I'm so, so cold. Been working at a ski resort, so I'm outside most days, no matter the temperature, dreaming of warmer climes. Until last week hadn't had nearly enough chance or ability to enjoy my pipe, but I spent quite a bit of time with the cob, briar, and leaf during these past 8 or 9 days. Missed it so!
Had today and yesterday off, so I finally started really laying into engagement ring stuff. The plan seems to be pretty well finalized. I'll be working with a jeweler here in MN, they'll be teaching me to carve the wax model that the ring will be cast from. Then, I intend to send the wax model to a different jeweler who will be casting it out of Platinum! This coming Wednesday will see me in the first jeweler's studio, working on the carving. Hopefully it goes well! Shannen doesn't want any stones, and she's been vocal about only having one ring, so I at least won't be buying any diamonds for the engagement ring. Not sure if I'll be making a wedding band. Guess that'll be up to her, after (if) she says yes!
In the meantime, I've got Shannen's birthday and Valentine's day coming up. I've made her a glass heart every year for V-Day, but I don't have access to my workshop this year so I had to come up with something else. Decided to carve the head of a big nail to look like a heart, then managed to engrave 'S+H' into it. Looks like the letters you might find carved in a tree, and I'm good with that. Though, I do very much hope my work with the wax comes out a lot nicer!
Hope you guys are all doing well, I'll try to check in again soon!
Harvey
Yes, yes, I'm still alive. But I'm so, so cold. Been working at a ski resort, so I'm outside most days, no matter the temperature, dreaming of warmer climes. Until last week hadn't had nearly enough chance or ability to enjoy my pipe, but I spent quite a bit of time with the cob, briar, and leaf during these past 8 or 9 days. Missed it so!
Had today and yesterday off, so I finally started really laying into engagement ring stuff. The plan seems to be pretty well finalized. I'll be working with a jeweler here in MN, they'll be teaching me to carve the wax model that the ring will be cast from. Then, I intend to send the wax model to a different jeweler who will be casting it out of Platinum! This coming Wednesday will see me in the first jeweler's studio, working on the carving. Hopefully it goes well! Shannen doesn't want any stones, and she's been vocal about only having one ring, so I at least won't be buying any diamonds for the engagement ring. Not sure if I'll be making a wedding band. Guess that'll be up to her, after (if) she says yes!
In the meantime, I've got Shannen's birthday and Valentine's day coming up. I've made her a glass heart every year for V-Day, but I don't have access to my workshop this year so I had to come up with something else. Decided to carve the head of a big nail to look like a heart, then managed to engrave 'S+H' into it. Looks like the letters you might find carved in a tree, and I'm good with that. Though, I do very much hope my work with the wax comes out a lot nicer!
Hope you guys are all doing well, I'll try to check in again soon!
Harvey