9.14.2012

On Feeling (A Little Bit) Like A Badass

My work in progress...

Christine getting ready to make things happen.

I am not what you would consider, well...tough.

I've never changed a tire. I'm not particularly athletic (I don't snow ski black diamonds or even greens or whatever the color coding system is, and I water-skied for the first time when I was 22). I only run when chased. Heck, I didn't even own a pair of tennis shoes until about three years ago.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly wimpy either, I like to camp, particularly the sleeping outside part. I've been known to wear the same outfit for three days straight, I once worked for three months as a baker at a remote camp in Canada where I baked 300 loaves of bread a day and didn't wear a stitch of makeup. (But at the end of the summer, when my camp colleagues asked me to join them on a wilderness expedition that involved spending a night in the wild...by myself...I politely declined.)

So let's just say that I'm somewhere between tough and wimpy, but most definitely not a badass.

Until now. Now I feel a little bit like a badass...I'm not gonna lie.

The impetus behind this new state of being is a jewelry fabrication class I started last week with Christine. Said class required me to raid Bryan's tools in order to obtain a saw, files, various pliers and hammers, and other sundry things that posses functions I've yet to discover (they look fierce though). I also have, wait for it...a toolbox. In my first class alone, I wielded a torch, blazed copper until it reached a menacing shade of cherry, and then beat the heck out of it with a hammer against an anvil, which produced a sound both agonizing and oddly satisfying.

And friends, I can honestly say that after three hours of this action I felt a degree of calm the likes of which no amount of yoga has ever produced.

I'm not sure what this says about me, but I'm going with it.

12 comments:

Lucia said...

Welcome, Jos, to the violent side of making. It's better here.

Nomadic D. said...

You go girl. Nothing like burning and pounding on stuff to bring out your inner bad-ass. I did some metalwork waaaay back in the day, and I would love to get back to it. Keep on rocking!

http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

Taxidermy Worms said...

That does sound incredibly badass... I love projects that require scary looking tools regardless of how dainty looking the result is. I was recently attacked by a pvc pipe cutter that got a little feisty on me while I was making some cutesy photobooth props!

I'd love to see some of your final products! Jewelry making never seemed so appealing!

G said...

"somewhere between tough and wimpy, but most definitely not a badass" - love that!

Megan Taylor said...

Girl, water-skiing at 22!? You're a total bad-ass. I think you're very tough, brave and inspiring. Go with whatever you're vibing right now. It's working for me!! xo

Unknown said...

That was the first word that popped into my head when I saw the pics on instagram...total badass...

Anonymous said...

This post brought such a smile to my face :) nothing beats embarking on something new. Kudos to you for being fearless in a simply lovely way :)

Desi McKinnon said...

I love messing with metal and it does make you feel like a badass. Good for you.

I love using a torch too. Once you get used to the occasional pop you really feel tough.

Doesn't it surprise you the amount of progress you can make in a short class? I can't wait to see what you make.

la petite fashionista said...

so much fun! love working up the courage to try new things. can't wait to see all that you make!!

Anonymous said...

GREAT POST:)
Your blog is so wonderful..do you have twitter or fb??

If you want some cute swedish decor inspiration...check out my blog:)

Have a great weekend dear

LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(sweden)

Suite Henry said...

Jewellery making is so crazy. It involves so many tools, so much equipment and yes, a badass element.

I recently took a class here in Toronto and was astounded to learn how complex so many of the processes are.

I made two pieces, in brass:
http://suitehenry.blogspot.ca/2012/08/brass-lovelies.html?m=1

*sorry I usually don't link to my own blog - but this link is relevant! I kind of wish I had been a jewellery designer!

Joslyn said...

Suite Henry -- that knot cuff is AMAZING!!! WOW!