Ive only been doing lino for a few months now, but a lot of my work from the better part of the last couple decades has been on a pretty small scale, so I'm used to figuring out small details. Smaller bits like the eyes and the tail are basically knowing how small of a mark I can make and taking off just a tiny bit at a time, and doing test prints to see how it's looking because sometimes those tiny marks don't show up. Not gonna go looking for the pictures, but some of the bugs I've done, like the jumping spider and shield bug, have been great practice for that. I had to do pretty much every leg on that spider twice because I cut too shallow the first time

Both hives have made it halfway through winter now!! I've been putting my ear up to them a couple times a week to listen, and I got a chance on a warm day last week to peek in and check their food supply. So far they seem to be doing well enough, but there's still a few months to go. It's about time to start getting ready for spring though. I want to get an actual beekeeping jacket, something I should've had this whole time tbh, and I need to start looking stuff up on moving hives. Right now I'm thinking it will be easiest to move them before it really warms up, when the bees are still clustered and the hive is at it's emptiest. And I have to figure out the best spot on my grandparents' acreage to put them and get it ready. I might prep space for one or two more hives too, just in case, maybe they'll do so well this spring that I need to do some splits 🤞

This is very important and you all need to see it right now

Today is family Christmas and I have officially failed to finish any of my gifts 😐. I finished my part of my mom's pendant, but my brother is having trouble with the setting. Neither dad's scarf nor my brother's girlfriend's book are finished, but I have something presentable for each of them to see now, and they'll both be done by Christmas with the other side of the family after new years.

Weaving wip on a scarf for a present. Not gonna be done in time, but I'll at least have a good stretch done to show what it'll look like

Also featuring my ever helpful assistant. Certainly more helpful than the cats, who will try to eat the string or rub their faces on the loom

She's being so helpful

When I figure out how to get projects to finish themselves it's over for you guys. What do you mean I have to finish two (2) scarves and a book before I can start the next project that is plaguing me? Rotating cut gem beetles in my mind bc I can't start trying to make them yet

Why must it always look like this outside when I have work 😩 being here before sunrise and leaving as it sets every day is doing terrible things to my soul

No hate towards winter btw, I love winter. All the hate towards having to work every day and not having more time to make art and get lost in the woods

Saw a post earlier with some beetles I really liked, but I forgot to save it anywhere and now I can't find it. It looked kinda like this if anyone knows it? I can't actually remember what the third one looked like, but they're all scarabs/june beetles

The bees have made it through sub -10f (-24c) temps! And they were kind enough to leave a few of their dead right at the entrance so I could collect them for a project my brother is working on. A lot of dead bees would be worrying, but a few here and there is normal. It's so cool especially in winter to put your ear up to the boxes and hear them.

Went to work a little later than usual today and got to catch the sunrise

My bees have weathered their first big snowstorm!! Went out today to check on their insulation (looking fine so far) and listened at both of them and heard buzzing! Proud of them so far, but we're supposed to hit -10f (-24c) tomorrow, so hopefully they keep warm

Pic is from a couple weeks ago when I was giving them food