I've been in Taiwan for a year now. It was mostly good, but kind of boring. I wasn't nearly as social or active as I was while I was living in Korea. I mostly studied, did some CAD designs, and some jewelry/lock pick work. But I don't feel like I accomplished much.
The school I work at had a jewelry class for students and teachers once a week in the evening. I made a couple pieces, and the class was good to motivate me to set up my own bench at home.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglg4De-DwAsPjuDadIk3HhAkFB-HcjMJy8h4CY1iCVL4HCiZWSZZChajrwAEIsnHDk21x27suXrxbF6inAfyPmoNZzoyRAX2c4Txxncp35NdnCuZn6MVa0OIadLZkChozHQ1W9dQ3gBugG/s320/IMG_20181229_031926_441.jpg) |
A cast ring I made in the class. Sterling and hessonite garnet. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNODq3oooAf1R5-NLwOe5FSdKKjGjKif-ppphbyF4qpn1wDm1LftLKfKK-seGMnTCL5kxfAA8Va-fAueiidEJLSL1RFgV_8U6sOHdn-6iB14ZuWNA7TG7YKZccI491pSUaE8smdUEpUk47/s320/IMG_20190105_042914_838.jpg) |
A fabricated sterling pendant. |
I was accumulating tools all year, and got a work bench in November . I had my parents send a lot of my stuff from the US, I also bought a lot here. Since I have a fairly big rooftop patio, I'm able to make lock picks here, which I wasn't expecting to be able to do. It's too messy to do in an apartment. I got all the tools and equipment to be able to complete picks around February, but I only finished 3 picks before I visited the US in July.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-BD3qfTXFdkNcIL408snLeLwNNljJwpld-6OjOKnA9tzDlRY2UtfeOGPZFuON2g-dk8CKmdOyExctncHMNDAl1I_o54_qn9DtY9zy_4O9CYJgwm06qDMK9pgxwrK6bzlKBSCnF07AZzR/s320/54395434_1172482392912300_5039444420143874048_o.jpg) |
Two of the picks I made in Taiwan. Ratyoke Custom Lock Picks |
I spent a lot of time working on pick handle designs in
ZBrush that I was planning to 3D print. I had two designs printed in a few different plastics, but I was disappointed in everything I got. I had them printed by
Shapeways, but everything has too rough of a texture. It's just not something I want to put my name on. I will give it another try if I find a company that can print in plastic with better detail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSBPyrcLpGpLXfPSP09J800MkgAOAudp4clpI_QAgC5QLmm6G1b2RVS7wLrs7Ag6RsSj2DFm-YSvoFMwI7EbRjIbo94DWYZz0EXe6SBK_9HoGlTKLoiobE5cbB6dLU2QMceqK5kIaUHiG/s320/60709231_1211664422327430_1897678716452995072_o.jpg) |
First pick handle design in ZBrush Ratyoke Custom Lock Picks |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWh4-CCtZ_pWZSYAJqOcsk8FCqvz9eW3Wq6d8QQUnDkBhT747Xg6zRIU55mHShKySw5IFpsVk2F5seaw2JDTq9MDLjAZreR6LMVpb6gm0YuFDl6jb8hgRtW7WxRLygvUIbnVkT1jPNnG1i/s320/60619279_1211664395660766_7251633262286602240_o.jpg) |
First pick handle design in ZBrush Ratyoke Custom Lock Picks |
I studied Chinese all year, but I don't feel I made much progress. Mainly cause I don't use it much. I do feel I made a lot of progress in reading ability. Reading and writing have always been my favorite things to study, while speaking and listening have always been my least favorite.
I made two trips to Japan and Korea. Japan in September and January/February, and Korea in February and April. I don't really feel like visiting any other countries. Just Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and the US.
July 9th - August 5th I was in the US. While I was there I took a road trip from Chicago to Southern California. I saw some friends on the way, and also stopped at
Rio Grande in Albuquerque, had a tour of their facilities, and looked at some equipment.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYKgLP4XnL5xljnFv0A_IviPD13BxjpPiYyliuuGVUfLfvlMZjAIY1sJgSriFjPh8dZGFWy9xrC5gnR8qMnkMgMCn8jUgrFbDgUXv1tDuKFDZeQYt3mKKh2tMowDffqCgcaXHtTh4uCwr/s320/20190726_085819.jpg) |
Rio Grande |
I also prepared a lot of wood to make picks while in the US. I use my milling machine to mill the wood flat and cut the slot for the tang of the pick, which I cannot do in Taiwan. I prepared about 55 pieces of wood while I was there, which is way more than I will be able to make in the next year. It feels good having so much wood available to use.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHHHKUv_Xob7jL6aak_CxVNJsbFgOQB64o4v9GHyEF-_XCWRMJFCL4VAYXewvfIj634pF0BF0_k_oAmxfP02P8yzpEmxkxkIdjWBdSus79tbmnykcjAVIy74WdyAmvtlz_Cc30W61-x-C/s320/20190804_033258.jpg) |
The wood I prepared in the US |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FE6Ij5LdmiLCJnqi2Nqm8kHSwy9iJyG0KngrDm3WNjUQnGGJaf9kq08QwngOLFGXmmNpZfrH3MhrlsfJqhitvWcGDyNoGSMIBm8Fzkmp95XxWo7bSy2wv6R4lvD_6yIGH4RyimMak2QN/s320/68693879_1270972529729952_3444361379648110592_o.jpg) |
My bench with my microscope I brought from the US this summer. |
I will be staying at the same school another year. Right now I have no plans for how long I will be staying in Taiwan.
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