As I’m writing this my mind is also mixed with thoughts of candle wax – the smells and heat and colors, and little jars and wicks of the holiday gifts I’m making this year.
Other holidays have been about ginger peach jam, tea and spice mixtures, or cake plates made from retro candle holders attached to decorative plates. It makes me happy to create something delicious or beautiful to give away. I’ve been lucky on the receiving end to get a multicolored patterned scarf and infused wine from far away friends, as well as sublime chocolate truffles by Anne Strainchamps.
My friend Sara Dahmen is making handmade vintage tree ornaments, but she also makes a living as a made-by-hand artist, welding copper into gorgeous vessels and writing a book about it, “Copper, Iron and Clay.” She’s a historical fiction novelist and screenwriter, too. We met at a writer’s conference in Madison a few years ago, and she is always creating and making and sharing her beautiful work.
Anne visited Sara at her home workshop, and this weekend we’re re-airing the interview as part of the show "Forged By Hand." What are you making this year? Let us know at listen@ttbook.org. And thank you for listening – Spotify tells us that "Forged By Hand" was, on their platform, our most listened to show of the year.
–Shannon