Written By Ida
July 26, 2019, 1:30 p.m.(7/14/1011 AR)
I am excited for the upcoming holy day of Jayus, also called Patronsday. The giant bazaars that spring up all throughout the Compact to showcase art, with surely one of the biggest right here in Arx. As well, I am really looking forward to the art that will be on display in the Gallery of Jayus. It never fails to both amaze and wholly inspire me every Patronsday with its showcases.
It's nice to have a day that honors crafters and artisans, though I feel like many of my customers already do that throughout the year.
It's nice to have a day that honors crafters and artisans, though I feel like many of my customers already do that throughout the year.
Written By Ida
July 7, 2019, 7:41 a.m.(6/3/1011 AR)
I locked the (cursed wishing - Austen knows) door to the shop for a bit today so as to put out some bows, which I meant to do before the intriguing Festival project inspired me toward something else. Once I had them out, I thought maybe some swords and hairpins in matching hues would be nice, so I made those as well. Not that the items need be bought as sets, really, but they are available were one so inclined.
Written By Ida
July 1, 2019, 9:47 a.m.(5/19/1011 AR)
It was a rather productive week with a couple of projects that were both fun to work on as well as for a good cause in one of the cases. The ladybug hairpins for Princess Tikva, even though done on a whim for my patron, were pretty cute and I'm glad her words brought such quick inspiration.
I hope to restock the shop with more of the hairpins and once again donate a third of the gross profits to the Harlequins, but I also have commissions I need to really buckle down and get done. I don't like turning down commissions, but I can't in good conscious take new ones when I've so many waiting completion.
I hope Joscelin's travels are exciting and going smoothly. She promised to write when she arrives and I greatly look forward to knowing when she is safe and settled where ever it is that called her.
Dame Morrighan gifted me with an absolutely gorgeous tapestry depicting our beloved former Guildmaster and it truly looks like it belonged in my library all along.
I hope to restock the shop with more of the hairpins and once again donate a third of the gross profits to the Harlequins, but I also have commissions I need to really buckle down and get done. I don't like turning down commissions, but I can't in good conscious take new ones when I've so many waiting completion.
I hope Joscelin's travels are exciting and going smoothly. She promised to write when she arrives and I greatly look forward to knowing when she is safe and settled where ever it is that called her.
Dame Morrighan gifted me with an absolutely gorgeous tapestry depicting our beloved former Guildmaster and it truly looks like it belonged in my library all along.
Written By Ida
June 27, 2019, 9:37 a.m.(5/11/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
How do you say good-bye to one of the most constant things in your life? You don't, really. You say, 'farewell for now' or 'see you soon' even if you're not sure how long 'soon' may truly be.
Joscelin defies description. My work wife and dearest friend, the exuberance to my reserve, the wicked humor to foil my Oathlands diffidence, the stealer of my hammers and giddy mischief maker in those exact times that I needed something to laugh about. The forger of my Hammer of the West badge, bestowed upon me with my knighthood from Prince Edain. So many years of gossip and laughter and tears.
Memories of us as much younger women, sweeping out old buildings that we would turn into our livelihoods and homes. The loves of craft and partners and friends that ushered down our little stretch of the Merchant Road, the whiskey drunk, the shouts of joy and rage, the arched brows that said, 'oh, here we go,' when no one else knew we were sharing that thought between us.
Our friendship is a veritable life all its own, bound in a love so deep and honest and full of delight that it almost can not be put to things so simple as words. My fiercest defender, my partner in so many things, my sister of metal and creation.
There is no good-bye when someone will always be with you, part of your heart and soul in a most tangible way. When loyalty and adoration will have you cross the world to be beside them if needed and without question.
My grief is only dimmed by my sincere joy for what lays ahead for you. Your chair will remain next to mine, as has always been, until you return to sit in it beside me again and your mischief brightens Arx once more.
Joscelin defies description. My work wife and dearest friend, the exuberance to my reserve, the wicked humor to foil my Oathlands diffidence, the stealer of my hammers and giddy mischief maker in those exact times that I needed something to laugh about. The forger of my Hammer of the West badge, bestowed upon me with my knighthood from Prince Edain. So many years of gossip and laughter and tears.
Memories of us as much younger women, sweeping out old buildings that we would turn into our livelihoods and homes. The loves of craft and partners and friends that ushered down our little stretch of the Merchant Road, the whiskey drunk, the shouts of joy and rage, the arched brows that said, 'oh, here we go,' when no one else knew we were sharing that thought between us.
Our friendship is a veritable life all its own, bound in a love so deep and honest and full of delight that it almost can not be put to things so simple as words. My fiercest defender, my partner in so many things, my sister of metal and creation.
There is no good-bye when someone will always be with you, part of your heart and soul in a most tangible way. When loyalty and adoration will have you cross the world to be beside them if needed and without question.
My grief is only dimmed by my sincere joy for what lays ahead for you. Your chair will remain next to mine, as has always been, until you return to sit in it beside me again and your mischief brightens Arx once more.
Written By Ida
June 16, 2019, 7:17 p.m.(4/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
I can hardly take much credit for the sword or even the bow, beyond putting to metal the incredible details you gave me for their crafting. Any time you visit the shop, I find myself inspired and with some intriguing new project to work on. So, thank /you/ for trusting me with such things of importance and letting me have the opportunity to attempt to bring them to life!
Written By Ida
June 15, 2019, 4:31 p.m.(4/16/1011 AR)
I have gotten behind on quite a few things, but with spring in the air, so too does it seem my lethargy and time be returning to life. After I complete the commissions I've committed to as of this point, I think I am going to take a hiatus from them to work on a project that will need all of my attention. Though I may do some idle shop stocking when my mind needs to refocus.
Written By Ida
June 14, 2019, 7:19 a.m.(4/13/1011 AR)
I am no longer an Assistant Guildmaster for the Crafters Guild. I learned this through a general post made to the entire Guild as a whole.
My heartfelt congratulations to our new Assistant Guildmasters however!
My heartfelt congratulations to our new Assistant Guildmasters however!
Written By Ida
May 29, 2019, 4:37 p.m.(3/10/1011 AR)
It does my heart good to hear such humbling and kind words about my work, or potential work. I am also debating contracting with a clothier or leatherworker for some sort of weapon-sheathpillow line.
Written By Ida
May 26, 2019, 7:57 p.m.(3/4/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
I can not imagine the Crafter's Guild lead by anyone but you, though I certainly don't begrudge you the reasons you wish to step down for. I'm /glad/ that your life is so full of love and home, things you always seemed to truly want, that it is time for a change. We are all fortunate beyond words for your leadership and passion. Herding cats is no small feat! I kid, mostly. You took something that was floundering and made it one of the strongest organizations in Arx, I think. To have served as one of your assistants has been a great honor and learning experience. You will be sorely, sorely missed.
PS - I don't want the job, for anyone reading. I was honored with a nomination many years ago along with Joscelin, and thought myself unfit for it. I still feel that way. Politics have never been something I dabble in or even enjoy; I am a simple woman. The leader of the Crafter's Guild should be someone capable and able to embrace those things; I wouldn't. I am honored if anyone might think me fit, but I assure you it would be a bad fit. I will happily continue as an assistant, should a new Guildmaster bestow such trust. If not, I will still consider myself lucky.
PS - I don't want the job, for anyone reading. I was honored with a nomination many years ago along with Joscelin, and thought myself unfit for it. I still feel that way. Politics have never been something I dabble in or even enjoy; I am a simple woman. The leader of the Crafter's Guild should be someone capable and able to embrace those things; I wouldn't. I am honored if anyone might think me fit, but I assure you it would be a bad fit. I will happily continue as an assistant, should a new Guildmaster bestow such trust. If not, I will still consider myself lucky.
Written By Ida
May 26, 2019, 7:49 p.m.(3/4/1011 AR)
The cats went quick, though some of them might not have been my best work. I've felt distracted as of late and I guess it showed in my work today. The forge is usually my haven from distraction, so this is new. I'll have to try again tomorrow or next week, if only because I hate when the shop is unstocked.
Written By Ida
May 14, 2019, 7:06 p.m.(2/8/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
I feel like I am almost honor-bound to forge sea serpent hairpins for Princess Astrid. If I've not gone to the Wheel, and Your Grace still trusts such work to me, I would consider myself a very lucky smith to be asked to forge such a thing for her when she's ready. Thank you again for your humbling regard for my work.
Written By Ida
May 9, 2019, 5:43 p.m.(1/26/1011 AR)
My steel my heart, a Hammer Fan Club.
Get it?!
More truly, I am hopeful that the realm will see all manner of amazing new smiths come up much as I think I have over these twenty plus years. I am grateful to Greenmarch for allowing me the opportunity to teach what I love to a new generation, of sorts.
Get it?!
More truly, I am hopeful that the realm will see all manner of amazing new smiths come up much as I think I have over these twenty plus years. I am grateful to Greenmarch for allowing me the opportunity to teach what I love to a new generation, of sorts.
Written By Ida
May 7, 2019, 9:28 p.m.(1/22/1011 AR)
I'm pretty sure if the King asked me for a commission, even when I wasn't taking commissions, I'd take the commission. What an honor it would be if our Sovereign thought kindly enough about my work to even make such a request.
Written By Ida
May 7, 2019, 8:02 p.m.(1/22/1011 AR)
Sometimes when I have all the materials before me, the forge is hot and billowing with fire and smoke, the sketch has been approved, and the hammer is in my hand, I freeze a little in the moment. Worry that it won't come out as good as I hope, and maybe a bit of relishing the last moment before turning back is not an option. You'd think after all these years I wouldn't have that sort of hesitation, that pit in my stomach filled with /what ifs/ but, oaths and steel, it always seems to creep in.
Written By Ida
May 5, 2019, 4:31 p.m.(1/18/1011 AR)
So I guess whining about being uncreative made me creative. Well, at least I hope so. We shall see what they think, at least, of the finalized sketches.
Written By Ida
May 5, 2019, 7:19 a.m.(1/17/1011 AR)
Sometimes, the inspiration doesn't come. The sketch is close, the colors ones I think will be pleasing, but the story I want to tell with the metal falls short. That one thread that starts me on a path of creation frays and I wonder what the oaths and steel I'm even doing. Or maybe it is that these two things I am working on are of such importance to me, I'm my own worst enemy on the artistic side. Whatever it is, it's frustrating and I may go punch things for awhile to see if that might help.
Written By Ida
April 25, 2019, 9 p.m.(12/26/1010 AR)
I sat on the rooftop of the shop, as I sometimes do when I need the fresh air and want to think. I often, even cheekily, remark on the irony that I can forge weapons and yet have no skill with which to use one. My fists always seemed to suffice and I would hate to have any sort of bias toward one type over another. I have been gifted with a dagger that I surely do not feel I deserve. I think it is meant as a reminder, of sorts, but a gentle one. Or maybe a regretful one. Or maybe being on the rooftop is making me kinda maudlin. Whatever the case, it's something I'll cherish.
Written By Ida
April 20, 2019, 7:33 a.m.(12/15/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
I did not know Prince Luca well enough, I regret to say now very much. He seemed to like my work and as the Sword who most recently carried Elvesbane, that gave me a touch of pride, I admit. I watched him in melees and as a Champion, like most, and I would have liked to have fought him in a ring, I think. One on one, even if I know he would have surely handed me my ass before too long into it. I find myself missing what I might have learned from him in these, my laterish years. For all the bravado, to me he was becoming a mentor of sorts; someone who helped me make sense of things that didn't. Much as I want to honor him with some weapons, profiting from loss is not my thing. Maybe a statue of steel, though? If so, I know exactly where to put it.
Written By Ida
April 7, 2019, 5:17 p.m.(11/18/1010 AR)
I hate seeing empty display cases in the shop, but sometimes there just isn't enough time to craft to fill them with all the other little and big things going on. The past few days, though, I took the time to put together an idea inspired by stories my mother used to read when I was a child. Those seemed to do well, but I wanted to do some swords that didn't reflect on those little creatures of the sea. I've said no few times that a sword is like a story and I often forge them with some tale or promise in mind. I think (hope, really) that I managed to put that idea into a few named blades as well. Naming swords is, no pun intended, a double-edged sword sometimes. It assigns the weapon an identity before what it might become defines it. They can be changed, of course; if you call something by a new name long enough, people eventually follow that lead. Still, I guess I'll get a feeling or inspiration and hope that what inspired me will continue to fit.
Written By Ida
April 1, 2019, 7:46 p.m.(11/6/1010 AR)
As a little girl and Austen but a baby in his cradle, my mother would read all sorts of grand tales of Valardin heroes at bedtime. The ones about knights were always my favorite, but I bet most children (myself included) couldn't help but love the adventures told of Prince Cedric Valardin. The far off places he went, the amazing adventures he had, and the stars that he charted... They are the sort of stories that make children believe, at least for a little while, in dragons and other fanciful legends. One book mentioned fish with a curled tail and horse-like head: a seahorse. I had forgotten about it totally until I was just chicken-scratching out some ideas for the next time I have a chance to stock the shop. I'm not sure I have it just right, but I think they might be the next feature. As well, I have a store of rubicund that I should probably put to better use than collecting dust.
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