Since beginning my work in metal smithing I have tried different stones, shapes, metals, styles and it was not until my last post that I realized what direction I wanted to take with my work.

I have always had an interest in medieval England….the stories, the facts, the architecture, the art. I’m fascinated by it all and it dawned on me that by drawing inspiration from these designs to use in my metal work would fill me with excitement and fulfillment.

The following photos are from our local church in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, England. It is steeped in history and I cannot adequately express how much I miss this tiny and charming village.

So…I’m researching, sketching and excited to produce a new line of work inspired by this incredible time period!

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with the tale of Robin Hood. When I was about 5 years old I would beg my Mom to rent the Disney Robin Hood movie over and over again. I fell in love with the ‘foxy’ character and dreamed of marrying an English man one day.

When I was about six years old my Mom made me a wonderful Maid Marian costume for Halloween….

A few years later I was greeted by Prince John at Disney World…..

Even while in college I had not given up hope on meeting my Robin Hood. I had a dream board in my room where I hung photos of everything that I wanted to have in my future. It included lots of dirt roads, wildflowers and (as funny as this may be) I had a picture of the cartoon Robin Hood hanging there.

You know what? That dream came true…on September 11, 2001 I met my future husband while I was living in England. He took me to Sherwood forest in Nottingham and regrettably I cannot find the photos. We saw the legendary major oak which was supposedly Robin Hood’s main hideout. After marrying, we lived in England for three years before we moved to the States. We have two wonderful children and our marriage is thriving.

I still have my dream board. A few things have changed, but I still have the wildflowers and dirt roads. This is one of my new dreams….

to be able to move back to England (somewhere down the line) and live in a 400-500 year old thatched cottage on a large plot of land full of wildflowers and dirt tracks and a spot for my very own studio.

HENRY DAVID THOREAU:
I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

Fresh air, fresh foods….Spring has arrived and we’re enjoying every minute of it!

For the first time in two years I went clothes shopping and am feeling quite stylish….

the shoes may have given me a wicked blister or two, but I felt so pretty that I didn’t mind!

The kids are loving the fact that they no longer have to wear boots, gloves and heavy coats every time we leave the house. We’ve been visiting parks, museums and having picnics galore!

Utah is a beautiful state and while it took me a while to adjust to living here I do love it now!

Hope everyone has a great week! We’ll be soaking up these few days of sunshine before the rain and cool weather come back to visit.

I’ve been thinking a lot about England lately and how much I miss its charm….my next post will include some photos and memories made while I was living there.