Written By Ida
May 22, 2021, 7:02 a.m.(7/8/1015 AR)
I don't ask many questions. I've been told that this is a failing, for we should always be asking them - what if? Why this? Where? Why not that? It's not that I don't have them, I guess, but I think I've just been one of those people that simply throws in and rolls with the punches. Pun possibly intended. More truly, sometimes the why isn't something I feel a need to know in order to do something. Duty is duty, and being a knight is important to me. I am no scholar who uncovers the mysteries that, as a younger woman, I would have thought impossible or the stuff of storybooks. I try to face them like I did with new metals I hadn't worked with before, y'know? It's strange, and sometimes terrifying, but that doesn't change it being there, right in front of you. Which is all possibly way more poetic than I meant to write at all.
Some days, something like that can also be SO JOYFUL, that it's hard to describe. When you burst into tears and then laugh while they stream down your face... I relish the moment and wave of feelings - I don't need to ask 'how' or 'why' to be exceedingly grateful. And I totally would have noticed, so I guess I got a question I didn't know I was going to have, answered before I had it. Though, oaths and steel, now I also actually might have to ask questions. Crafty.
Some days, something like that can also be SO JOYFUL, that it's hard to describe. When you burst into tears and then laugh while they stream down your face... I relish the moment and wave of feelings - I don't need to ask 'how' or 'why' to be exceedingly grateful. And I totally would have noticed, so I guess I got a question I didn't know I was going to have, answered before I had it. Though, oaths and steel, now I also actually might have to ask questions. Crafty.
Written By Ida
May 16, 2021, 12:11 p.m.(6/25/1015 AR)
I found an old design that I particularly liked and forged a small series of oathlands style two-handed blades. I hope each might find their stories in their names, but sometimes the world decides differently.
Written By Ida
May 16, 2021, 8:21 a.m.(6/24/1015 AR)
I did some griffin and eagle brooches for the shop, which are doing well enough. Upcoming projects have kept my mind a bit distracted, so a big something-new hasn't really materialized just yet in my head. I want to create something grand, but whatever story it is that may need to be told just...isn't forming clearly. Yet. Sometimes inspiration flashes in a second - while I'm just waking up, or wandering the marketplace looking for something to catch my eye. Maybe I'll do a run of cupridium something-or-others if a thought manages to take hold.
Written By Ida
April 20, 2021, 6:37 p.m.(5/1/1015 AR)
Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. It's a quote I've heard hundreds of times and always makes me think of the Faith, or those who quietly make the world better for others. While not everyone sees these good deeds, those who matter surely do.
Written By Ida
April 18, 2021, 7:17 p.m.(4/25/1015 AR)
I uphold the oaths I have made, regardless of whether or not people treat me well for it. I am treated like a commoner because, guess what? I am a commoner. I am often looked upon with respect due to my trade, or maybe because I probably can still throw a good punch. When I'm not given respect in my shop, I kindly suggest the offender might do better with another smith. It has taken me a decade to be where I am today in Arx, and that was after nearly a decade already put in around the Oathlands.
I don't need to make a fuss because someone thinks less of me, or believes that I'm beneath them. That opinion doesn't make my swords any less deadly, my fist any less strong, or my integrity in need of question. Again, I uphold the oaths I have made, even if someone questions my place in this world. Actions speak louder than words.
At least, they should.
I don't need to make a fuss because someone thinks less of me, or believes that I'm beneath them. That opinion doesn't make my swords any less deadly, my fist any less strong, or my integrity in need of question. Again, I uphold the oaths I have made, even if someone questions my place in this world. Actions speak louder than words.
At least, they should.
Written By Ida
April 16, 2021, 6:23 a.m.(4/20/1015 AR)
The shop is empty again and I've done a couple of drawings for some new brooches, but haven't quite managed to get to them yet. I hate when the cases are empty. Also, I'm trying to clear out my stores - I'm a sucker for a good price and thoughts of 'this will be useful if...' But I haven't really gotten to all those 'ifs' that discounts at the marketplace seemed to inspire at the time. Maybe it's kind of like spring cleaning. I want to do another special diamondplate weapon of some sort, but what sort and what theme continues to escape me. Not doing commissions has allowed me to catch up on other stuff, too, which I have enjoyed. Even if it is often just catching up on naps.
Written By Ida
March 31, 2021, 3:32 p.m.(3/17/1015 AR)
I'm feeling a bit...not quite old, not quite sad, and not quite left behind. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it comes from looking over my will, which I do from time to time in case it needs updating. Sometimes it feels like it needs updating far too often, for people I had hoped to give some cherished or meaningful memento, keep returning to the wheel or leaving the realm.
Prince Edain, who has so selflessly taken up arms in a great war that I doubt many of us fully comprehend, but which is vital to the survival of the Compact. Marquis Rymarr Deepwood, Dame Thena Grayhope, Sister Juniper Godsworn... Joscelin too, of course, in earlier versions. I am grateful to have survived the few things that could easily have sent my own soul to the wheel along with theirs, of course! There's just a touch of sorrow in my heart when I revisit my will, but I try to get a little lost in the great memories while I'm here.
Prince Edain, who has so selflessly taken up arms in a great war that I doubt many of us fully comprehend, but which is vital to the survival of the Compact. Marquis Rymarr Deepwood, Dame Thena Grayhope, Sister Juniper Godsworn... Joscelin too, of course, in earlier versions. I am grateful to have survived the few things that could easily have sent my own soul to the wheel along with theirs, of course! There's just a touch of sorrow in my heart when I revisit my will, but I try to get a little lost in the great memories while I'm here.
Written By Ida
March 21, 2021, 4:56 p.m.(2/25/1015 AR)
As a sort of opposite move - which wasn't actually planned but here we are - I did some sun-themed cupridium hairpins to sell alongside the snowflake seraphinite brooches. I did a handful of sketches recently as well: a flying dragon, a griffin on a shield, a sword and shield, and a helmet with some swords. I'm not sure what they will end up as, if they all even end up as anything, but all things in life start with a first step - and sometimes that's the hardest one.
Written By Ida
March 13, 2021, 4:02 p.m.(2/9/1015 AR)
I'm not a jeweler, by any means. I know enough of smithing and the intricacies of jewelry making to forge pretty things now and again, though. I already had thoughts of making some brooches and using the stunning seraphinite stones I've had gathering dust for awhile now, so watching the snow fall this morning ended up to be the perfect inspiration. I find I really enjoy working with pewter, partly because it's easy for someone of my skill level to work with, but mostly due to the color. It's not as pure or gleaming as silver, but there is a great beauty to the unique variations it has. In any case, I put no few out in the cases and we'll see how they do. At the end of the day, I enjoyed tinkering with something different than my usual stock once again.
Written By Ida
March 12, 2021, 6:31 a.m.(2/6/1015 AR)
The staffs, or walking sticks if one prefers, sold pretty well. I feel like I have a storeroom too full of materials not meeting their potential. What I might do next, though, I'm not sure. Maybe some silver or pewter brooches with seraphinite set in them, given the collection of the stone I have.
Written By Ida
March 3, 2021, 7:21 p.m.(1/17/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Sydney
Oaths and steel! I want to 'inferior craft' whoever called pugilism that, right between the eyes. Twice. The second time when they come to and stand back up, I mean.
Written By Ida
March 2, 2021, 3:19 p.m.(1/15/1015 AR)
My next project for the shop is going to be staffs, I think. Y'know, the tall walking stick sort of things that have a bit of ornamentation at the top. I've heard of so many injured, that maybe such things will do some good. Or may just be nice gifts for one reason or another. They are not meant to suggest a person is old, mind you, but you're welcome to make that joke if you're not afraid of getting hit by the staff for doing so, I guess.
Written By Ida
March 1, 2021, 6:16 a.m.(1/12/1015 AR)
I had purchased a bit of goldenwood some time ago with the thought in mind of using it on a bow of some sort. I don't do a lot of bows, truth be told, since one-handed weapons and hairpins seems to be more in demand. I think every weapon has its own elegance to it, but the curves often part of bows are some of my favorite to work and be inspired by.
In any case, I managed to get around to actually making the piece, taking a chance (no pun intended) on working it from diamondplate. I was very happy with the way the goldenwood paired with the metal, and the touch of stygian brought a nice balance I think. I was surprised that it sold as quickly as it did, but also pleased. Not for the silver, but in the hopes that it serves someone well and was deemed worthy of the price in someone's eyes.
In any case, I managed to get around to actually making the piece, taking a chance (no pun intended) on working it from diamondplate. I was very happy with the way the goldenwood paired with the metal, and the touch of stygian brought a nice balance I think. I was surprised that it sold as quickly as it did, but also pleased. Not for the silver, but in the hopes that it serves someone well and was deemed worthy of the price in someone's eyes.
Written By Ida
Feb. 21, 2021, 7:12 a.m.(12/22/1014 AR)
I have been a smith for a long time, and mostly went about my work as anyone might; my mother once said that if your job is something you truly love, you will never work a day in your life. I love smithing. Only over the past couple of years, though, have I sought to work harder than I ever have at it. To learn more, to try new things, and to forge in a way that might be memorable. Maybe old dogs can learn new tricks, after all.
Written By Ida
Feb. 15, 2021, 6:25 a.m.(12/10/1014 AR)
Inspiration struck in two forms - swords as prologues and hairpins with a sun and waves theme. The cases in the shop gleam once again and it's a good feeling. I considered a re-run of the cat hairpins I'd done some time ago, but didn't quite manage it. My one big project still needs some tweaking, so I let myself continue to put it away and work on other things. I'm debating another one-run special blade for the shop, of some sort, as it's been awhile since I've attempted as much.
Written By Ida
Feb. 12, 2021, 9:43 a.m.(12/4/1014 AR)
Runty and Quill now have a new and adorably outgoing companion: Gildedstern. She is the most adorable goat I have ever seen, though I may be biased. The cats don't particularly care for her, but they don't particularly care for anyone to be honest. Rigby and I are learning to be a bit more careful around the shop so that we don't startle her into fainting quite so often.
Written By Ida
Feb. 10, 2021, 9:59 a.m.(11/28/1014 AR)
I hate when the cases in the shop are empty. Not always enough to change that, but the last week or so it's really been on my nerves. I've been toying with ocean themes - boats, waves, something like that.
Written By Ida
Feb. 4, 2021, 2:32 p.m.(11/16/1014 AR)
I've been debating a trip back home before winter makes it more difficult to do. I only have one project left to complete, which can probably wait long enough for me to visit the hamlet and then return. I haven't seen the kids (not that they're really kids anymore) in what feels like a lifetime, and it's always good to see my parents. There are some bookshelves I want to rummage through and memories I hope to jog, but mostly there's just that nice feeling of being grounded when I go there.
Written By Ida
Jan. 31, 2021, 2:46 p.m.(11/8/1014 AR)
Two down, one to go. The last week or so has been far more productive than I figured I might manage. The third, and final, weapon on the agenda is still barely out of the sketching phase, but it's not something I think I really need to rush, at least. I should restock the shop as well, at some point. I'm trying to do more swords and bows, just in case people need those sorts of things on the fly, as they say.
Written By Ida
Jan. 23, 2021, 7:34 a.m.(10/20/1014 AR)
I have two sketches and one idea, though can't seem to manage to get any of the three projects any farther than that. Maybe with summer fading, along with the heat, autumn will bring that spark of inspiration that I need. Maybe I should just put everything down and stop staring at them like something will materialize and take a walk around the city - give my thoughts a distraction and break.
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