2012 review

Not much happened with my metal work in 2012.  Just look at the number of postings by year on the side of this blog, I barely wrote anything.  But even when there was something I could write about I didn't.  I have gotten so out of the habit of writing here that I usually don't even think about it. 

I spent the first two months of the year in the US.  Most of the work I was doing was just little things to make money, like lockpicks and aluminum training blades.  I finished a commission for a belt made of silver scales, but most of the work for that was done in 2011. 

I finally went back to Korea at the end of February.  And just like my first year in Korea, I totally stopped working on stuff once I got to Korea, even though I did bring my carving tools.  I finally started doing a little wax carving in the summer and continued working on things occasionally the rest of the year. 

Near the end of 2012 I decided to start doing watercolor jewelry renderings again.  I took the jewelry design course at GIA about 12 years ago and learned to paint with watercolors, but it was so long ago I think I need to relearn it.  I had my parents send me my drawing and painting supplies from home, but at the end of the year I did not have all the things I need to start yet. 

This year in Korea was even better than my first year.  Better school and better apartment.  I've been studying Korean almost everyday but I'm disappointed that my ability is much lower than I expected after studying in the country for almost a year.  I really wanted to stay at my school a second year, but there's no money in the school budget for me.  From what I've heard, almost all foreign teachers will be gone from high schools in my province in the next school year.  I want to stay in Korea one more year, so I am looking for a new job now.