I’ve always been a maker, my dad was someone who could make anything. He built planes, houses, boats, he really could make anything! I remember always being really impressed by that, once I learned that not everyone’s father could do that.

As an adult, most of my career choices were always about making money, not making art or creating. In my free time, I’ve tried almost everything! If you name a craft or hobby, chances are I have tried it. Tried them and enjoyed them but they were always things that I would cycle through and move on to something else. Aside from teaching my son’s friends many of these arts (which is one of the best things I’ve ever done) my creativity would crave something different, something new.

I would always remember with longing, my dad’s workshop and the woodworking he could do. However living in a small house with little space, no power tools and no experience with woodworking, I thought it seem like an impossible hobby to pursue.

Then Covid 19 happened and I was suddenly unemployed, I decided this was my chance! I had been watching videos about resin casting and woodworking but not tried any of it. With my wonderful husband’s support, I took a large portion of our unfinished basement which was filled with junk we didn’t need, had a yard sale and gave away a TON of stuff.

With that money, I bought *gasp* a bandsaw and a belt sander! No idea how to use them! I started going to woodworking stores, asking a lot of questions and drooling over all the beautiful wood choices.

I started casting with resin and I was hooked. I had no idea the sheer number of molds, dyes and glitter on the market. I know now because I’ve attempted to purchase them all! I’ve never worked with anything with so much versatility as resin, the possibilities really are endless! So much to learn and experiment with.

Once I combined the wood and the resin into my first pendant, it clicked. This is what I was meant to do. I’ve never been so inspired as I am with the beauty of the wood and the flexibility of working with resin. I love that moment when I pour the resin into a mold with the wood, because at that moment, I don’t know what it’s going to be yet. So much is revealed when shaping and sanding an item, it’s a surprise to me every time. And the moment when I’ve finished sanding and polishing and I put an oil finish on to reveal what I’ve created? Nothing like it!

So this is my calling, what I’m sure I am meant to make. I hope you love these items as much as I loved making them!