Not entirely rational

Sometimes I consult with people making a special piece for a special occasion, a child or a grand child’s bar mitzvah or wedding. people making something for someone they love can afford to spend wonderful obsessive time on a piece. The time is a way of imbuing the piece with some of the love felt for the person who will receive the piece.

When I do work for a client, to a certain extent I work with the meter running . yes I could do lots of hand work, but either my client needs to be made out of money, or I need to be willing to earn pennies per hour.

Sometimes though, that line is a bit fuzzy. I have been commissioned to make this challah cover for Eli and Rachel. as I work, it’s hard for me not to think about Beth, Eli’s late mother. I liked Beth a whole lot. Her illness was so long and so hard. It is just so sad that she won’t get to see her wonderful children get married.

So I’m hand embroidering a border around some of the lettering. No, I can’t charge for it. Yes, it looks lovely. No, this is not a smart business decision by any stretch of the imagination. I am glad I’m doing it though.

Actually, it’s boring work. I suppose that if I had a different sort of personality I would methodically work each letter in the phrase in order. I find that I find it easier to complete the task if I complete the letters in a haphazard manner. Actually, I like to start with the large and complicated letters and leave the little letters for last.

I used my dopey approach to the task when I outlined all of the letters in the center of the piece.

Eventually, I will finish up.

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sarah in nyc

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