Morning darklings,

Though I’ve not been talking about my art projects lately, I’ve still been very involved in doing them. Like my mini clay village—I’m still working on expanding it. Three little towns down, now I’m on to the next.

But my big project has been about keeping track of my creative progress and important life moments. I’m bad at remembering my day-to-day, as you all know. But I’m especially bad at remembering the things I’ve done after a week or two or, god forbid, a month. I have my 1SE app and my written lists to help, but those can be very out of sight, out of mind.

I looked into the best way to do this, taking to Pinterest, as one does. The only thing I liked was the House Points from Harry Potter. The idea was cool, but in practice, I didn’t know what that would look like for me. And I couldn’t exactly go buy a House Points thing. No more money given to J.K., and things like that on Etsy were either very expensive or seemed properly branded, which made me wary.

I sat with it for a while. Then, to be honest, I gave up.

Until I was walking with a friend and saw a set of four test tubes sitting on the sidewalk. They were empty and alone and adorable and being thrown away? Naturally, I saved them.

Things fell into place from there. I’d make my own system, keeping track of book progress—writing, editing, formatting, publishing, and all the nitty gritty stuff in between.

At first, I thought I’d just use colored beads. Then, I looked at my 3d-printer and apologized for being thoughtless.

And that, dear darklings, is how I came up with making miniatures related to the books I’m writing and the projects I’m completing (like hanging curtains).

But as I went to collect these 3d-print stl files (essentially the blueprints for the objects), I saw so many cute things I didn’t know were out there. Miniature claw machines, healing syringes from Apex Legends, Funko dolls scans, the works. No part of me would have big versions of these, but small ones? Oh, yes.

Once I decided that was the way, I started printing. I’ve have sets for the books, but the random tokens—that’s what the hubs called them, and I love it—will just be for other accomplishments.

Finished fixing the birdhouses? One cat with a hood and sickle it is then.

Finally bought a chair for the center room? Sailor Moon’s wand looks great.

Where do these go, you may wonder. The only place that’s logical: a large ornament, just like the mini book covers of the books I’ve read each year.

This has been an absolute joy. I tried the gratitude dandelion, but it still lies in pieces, waiting for me to complete it. Two hours, and it will be done. When I have two hours, though, I’m drawn to things like this at the moment.

And you may know my thoughts by now on that: follow your bliss, your heart song, your values, your Little joys.

*If you want information on any of the prints I’ve used, let me know. I’d be happy to send you a link.

Those fused glass pieces.

Remember I told you I went to a fused glass class on my birthday? I shared the Before pictures. Now, it’s time to share the After! I think they turned out brilliant. Mine is fairly similar to the before, his became a watercolor. Love them so much!

also, a lil board

Until next time, harness the Little darknesses and embrace the Little things.