making my week

I tend to have a number of projects going on at any given time, and find a lot of contentment in using my hands, problem solving, and increasing my knowledge and experience of the world I’m in. I thought I might try to make a weekly series here, sharing some of what I’ve been making each week, including things that might hopefully be useful to you as well.

This week…

A fresh supply of marmalade, putting three seasons of colorful preserves on this shelf. Little things like this really are life’s great pleasures. I made a variation of the 3 Citrus Marmalade recipe from Food in Jars (I used way less sugar (always less sugar!) and more rind). If I were to do it again, I would forgo the grapefruit. It’s a little too forward (though we are no doubt enjoying it). Last year I used oranges and lemons and I highly recommend that combination.

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Wood Salve setting up (on a very dark and grainy day). The transformation from amber liquid to golden solid is a pleasure to observe.

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A fun project for some great folks. I created leather grips and shifter sleeves for a custom bike build they’re working on. If you are bicycle inclined, definitely check out Randi’s web shop. She has a well designed collection of cycling gear and caps, including a really sweet kids line. And these guys have an admirable little bike repair shop in what was once a grainery, in the very rural town of Elkton, Oregon.

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When time allows, I love including special touches for my customers, like little drawstring pouches to wrap their orders. This is the tiniest one yet, for wrapping up a leather key keep.

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And coming up next week is this project for Steven. Anyone have a guess what this very old (over 100 years old!) tool is? 🙂

Hardly a day goes by that I’m not making something. It’s when I feel most at ease and content.

We’re all makers of our own sort. What are you guys making these days?