Written By Ida
Dec. 31, 2023, 6:23 p.m.(6/21/1021 AR)
A sunset offers my favorite colors. Not as it is setting, but when it's been down for a bit and the world is near dark. There's a soft, deep orange along the horizon that bleeds into a pale gray-blue, which seems near impossible and like they shouldn't blend as perfectly as they do. Looking farther up the horizon, that color goes to a darker gray-blue, and then a purplish color where hints of stars start to make their appearance. It's a sight to behold and one that I will never tire of.
Written By Ida
Dec. 24, 2023, 10:47 a.m.(6/6/1021 AR)
I was given the opportunity to craft an alaricite blade before the events at Harrow Hall, and though it was on a shorter timeline than I like, I am happy that such a blade was done in time. There have been other things on my mind; a path that I didn't expect, but might be one to follow. I've always considered myself a fairly simple woman and I'm not sure I may be capable of filling such large shoes.
Written By Ida
Dec. 10, 2023, 3:23 p.m.(5/7/1021 AR)
Around midwinter I made an alaricite blade that I was fairly proud of, and wondered if it would ever sell. It was far less about the silver, in a way, than it was creating something that told a story I wanted to tell. On the same token, though, I wasn't letting it go for less than its value.
Anyhow, it's been purchased. I think I will miss seeing it, if I'm honest about it, but a piece like that should be cutting down monsters and not collecting dust bunnies.
Anyhow, it's been purchased. I think I will miss seeing it, if I'm honest about it, but a piece like that should be cutting down monsters and not collecting dust bunnies.
Written By Ida
Nov. 12, 2023, 2:30 p.m.(3/6/1021 AR)
It's been a busy few weeks at the shop, which I guess is to be expected with all that is happening. Two commissions came in for two people I both admire and respect.
A bow for Duchess Khanne, which lead to a bit of reminiscing back to the days when I crafted her rubicund one. I say this a lot, but that really feels like a lifetime ago. Our lives were so much different then.
The other piece is a staff for Lady Volcica, who I've come to know these last handful of years. There are some finishing touches yet to make on that one, but it should be in her hands by the end of the week.
I've turned down several commissions in the last few months, simply because I hadn't felt like I could do them the justice they deserved. I could not say no to either of these women and am glad I managed to pull it together for them.
A bow for Duchess Khanne, which lead to a bit of reminiscing back to the days when I crafted her rubicund one. I say this a lot, but that really feels like a lifetime ago. Our lives were so much different then.
The other piece is a staff for Lady Volcica, who I've come to know these last handful of years. There are some finishing touches yet to make on that one, but it should be in her hands by the end of the week.
I've turned down several commissions in the last few months, simply because I hadn't felt like I could do them the justice they deserved. I could not say no to either of these women and am glad I managed to pull it together for them.
Written By Ida
Nov. 10, 2023, 6:15 a.m.(3/2/1021 AR)
I was awarded seventeen million points and feel pretty good about that.
Written By Ida
Nov. 5, 2023, 2:35 p.m.(2/20/1021 AR)
Sometimes I get a great idea and go to work on it straight away. Only thing is, this time I didn't check the shelves before forging ahead (no pun intended). In any case, if anyone happens to favor seahorses, Ferron's is practically swimming in them. (Ok, yes scholar, that time it was an intended pun.)
Written By Ida
Oct. 30, 2023, 6:04 p.m.(2/9/1021 AR)
Welp. I made the sword. It's not exactly what I imagined, but pretty damn close. It captures most of what I think I wanted to say, though a few things are certainly missing. Maybe that's how things always end up.
Written By Ida
Oct. 27, 2023, 11:09 p.m.(2/3/1021 AR)
I want to create something epic. The sketch I'm working on for an alaricite sword...isn't quite that. Yet? Maybe it won't ever be, but I like the idea of an emerald green dragon as part of its inspiration. I guess we'll see. It may end up as a very expensive dustable on the shop shelves.
Written By Ida
Oct. 23, 2023, 6:21 p.m.(1/23/1021 AR)
I'm in the process of cleaning out my stores. Some of these materials were bought at the market 'for a rainy day' or 'just in case' and have been gathering dust ever since. Others were impulse buys when I happened to save enough coin to splurge a bit. So instead of waiting for a rainy day, I'm putting them all into one thing or another. I have plans for a diamondplate bow with ephiphanite. The seraphinite...maybe some meadow themed somethings-or-other. I have enough alaricite for a sword and am thinking of doing something really creative, except I have no idea what that might be. You'd think after all the traveling I've done the last few of months, I might have returned inspired. No such luck.
Written By Ida
Oct. 20, 2023, 12:44 p.m.(1/16/1021 AR)
Relationship Note on Noah
I have a new patron. If something unusual happens to him, I will have to suspect that I am bad luck.
Written By Ida
July 27, 2023, 7:07 p.m.(4/1/1020 AR)
The shop needs some new things in the cases out front. Honestly, I've been so preoccupied the last few months that they'd probably just stay empty for awhile, but I received a request for a couple of commissions that drew me out. Intriguing projects, both of them, and one that was completely foreign to me. It was challenging, but anything that is rewarding when done tends to be. I am so grateful, too, because I might not have pulled myself out of preoccupation otherwise. So now I just have to think of what fill the cases with this time.
Written By Ida
June 11, 2023, 11:01 a.m.(12/21/1019 AR)
I tried something new in the shop. I mean, not NEW-new; I've been asked on occasion for a design sort of like them in the past. These, though, are definitely a different take. That may be it for crafting for the season, I think. With winter around the corner, it may be time to do some house-cleaning around here and get other things in order. Oaths and steel, I need to have my will updated. Half the people in the last version are no longer even around.
Written By Ida
June 6, 2023, 6:23 a.m.(12/11/1019 AR)
The shop is mostly empty once again, which I should do something about. It's been a sort of rough month and I guess my inspiration is a bit lacking. While my personal respect and fondness will never change, a social relationship I greatly valued had to be severed. I have been incredibly lucky to have had such amazing patrons - Prince Edain Valardin when I first came to the city and then Princess Tikva Grayson.
Part of me wonders if I might be bad luck for those who sign on, but that's probably silly. Regardless, both will always have my loyalty and respect despite how the world has changed our paths.
Part of me wonders if I might be bad luck for those who sign on, but that's probably silly. Regardless, both will always have my loyalty and respect despite how the world has changed our paths.
Written By Ida
May 14, 2023, 12:40 p.m.(10/21/1019 AR)
I tried something a bit new for the shop. Not new-new - they're just hairpins - but the design and coloring is a little different than my usual, I guess. I'm not sure if I love them. Sometimes you just have to try something different and see how it goes despite that.
Written By Ida
April 9, 2023, 3:15 p.m.(8/7/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Aurora
It was such an honor to have had the shop be part of Legendary Tailor, Aurora Thornburn's recent boxes. When she asked if the staff could help, I of course said yes! There's such a long history between us and that she reached out first meant the world. The apprentices went on for a few days about the designs she brought in and I know the journeymen enjoyed putting her ideas to metal.
Written By Ida
March 4, 2023, 3:16 p.m.(5/20/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Noah
Your visits are a source of excitement among the apprentices, and I couldn't rob them of that without feeling bad. Sometimes I like to give others in the city a chance to buy a dagger if they happen by the shop, especially since I stock it without any fanfare these days. I suppose I could start sending a preview item to consider, but an Archduke at the shop brings in a lot of business.
Written By Ida
March 4, 2023, 7:43 a.m.(5/19/1019 AR)
With all that storming going on, there wasn't much sense in going out. Certainly not to the marketplace since that would have been fruitless. Often I'll spend bad weather days coming up with new designs or reading old Oathlands tales. As the days dragged on, though, I kinda got bored with that stuff and pulled out some of my old sketch books. Like, really old. Old like when I first mastered the Oathlands style with steel. Gods, those were the days. Anyhow, I came across one that I remember being really proud of, so I worked on making some new ones in that style. Simple things, but looking over them brought back a bunch of memories that almost no one will see, but that wasn't really the point anyhow.
Written By Ida
Jan. 22, 2023, 8:56 a.m.(4/10/1019 AR)
Sometimes I get what I think is a grandly clever idea and go with it. I can often tell by Rigby's expression if it may actually be clever or not, but go with it anyhow.
Written By Ida
Jan. 15, 2023, 12:10 p.m.(3/25/1019 AR)
I suppose that trip to the Oathlands for inspiration actually worked. I managed to come up with a new sketch after a few failed attempts at a winter theme. Something more colorful, which will work well enough as winter will soon turn to spring. Daggers and swords are now in the shop, including a diamondplate piece. That one will probably sit for a bit, but that's alright - it bothers me when the shelves are empty anyhow.
I really want to work on some bows next. Maybe I should take another trip.
I really want to work on some bows next. Maybe I should take another trip.
Written By Ida
Dec. 27, 2022, 5:56 a.m.(2/14/1019 AR)
Winter near Sanctum is not all that much different than in Arx. It's not the most ideal season to do traveling, especially with recent goings-on, but I went anyhow. Sometimes those visits fill me with new inspiration, which I guess I was feeling I needed. As joyous and grand The Thirteen Days of Years End are in Arx, there's a charm to the celebrations in the smaller hamlets, like the one Austen and I are from. It was good to be there for the holiday and see the kids, though I can hardly really call them that anymore. Or so they tell me every time I do. I missed my home here in Arx after awhile - the quiet of the back room of the shop and some good hot chocolate while the cold winds and snow menace the streets. When my fingers aren't so cold, maybe I'll get back to some interesting new weapons.
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