Very cool! A few years back I tried to make a sewing box on that "viking sea chest" pattern, but never got the boards to line up right. I admire your talent!!
Regarding favorite projects, they've all been result of heavy heavy collaboration, so I can't take more than partial credit. One of my two favorites is the Breelands penny:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =39&t=4371
Things that really worked:
- changing up the digital file to use a small number of virtual "punchmarks" to make up the image. That one simple change made the final product a *lot* better.
- working with a professional to cut the die instead of trying to learn a whole new art myself. I'd have still *preferred* the latter, but... time. They'd still not be done if I went that route.
Lessons learned:
- complex collaborations take a lot of time especially since we're all doing this in our spare time. This project was *years* from start to finish.
Also be prepared for your partner to fall of the edge of the earth and start ghosting you. It's possible you lose a deposit not out of malice but simple disorganization: garage craftsmen can not infrequently get themselves into trouble taking on too many commissions, living on deposits- then having to go back to their day job and never getting enough free time to catch up. Try to pick someone with a good track record - and even then you can get burned.
The other real standout was Elenglin:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =28&t=3983
My part was pretty much entirely the linguistic research, and like with the penny project took an absolutely insane amount of time combing niche websites for Sindarin grammar tips. Again: months until I was content with the translation. The crafting though is all Odigan, and he is extraordinary!!
Things that worked / lessons learned:
- Odigan is just a master. I'm constantly amazed at what he pulled off
- Custom shapeways furniture is "a long run for a short slide" - I'm glad I did it once, and it was *very* educational - but I don't know as I'd go that way again. This is another place working with a pro craftsman would have been a faster/cheaper/more authentic approach, at least in the short run.
If I've got any particular advice, it's:
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- you can learn to do just about anything, but you can't do everything: don't be afraid to buddy up for an awesome collaboration. (Conversely, picking one thing to get REALLY REALLY GOOD at does worlds for your batering ability. )
- do *something* to move things forward every day. It doesn't have to be big: just a couple stitches, or a couple sketches, or a bit of reading. Always be trying to learn *one* thing to get better, everything you do.
- understand going in some things are going to take a while, and the really awesome things are going to take a *long* while unless you're fortunate enough to just throw scads and scads of money and/or time at them.
- don't get so distracted with crafting you forget to enjoy the woods!
Complete "best ofs"
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Mess kit:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =27&t=3867
Pouch:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =27&t=4090
Byknife:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =27&t=3961
Quiver:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =27&t=3749
Burden straps:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =27&t=4080
Long knapsack:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =27&t=4081
Tarp:
https://www.middleearthrangers.org/foru ... =27&t=3866