As the end of 2015 draws near, I like many have been pondering this last year. This is a-typical for me. Time is relative, and thus, I don't tend to feel that the coming and going of a calendar year is significant. This year is different. My life has been filled with so many substantial events that all I can do IS reflect.
2015 marked the soft launch of JohnsChains as a wholehearted business endeavor where I will continue to focus on my art as a career option; with the most recent months leading into a hard launch; setting myself up with a running start in 2016. Thanks to all of you, I have the motivation to follow through with these plans. Oh! I almost forgot, I have started an online facebook group called the Maille Weavers Guild of Northern MN, so if you or anyone you know makes chainmaille and lives the Minneapolis area and up (I'm not very strict on the definition of Northern), send them my way!
But beyond JohnsChains, my personal life has been equally as momumental. Now, I won't go into incredible details, as I DO like to keep some aspects of my personal life..well, personal, haha. However, the purpose of this wordpress website is to provide a platform in which to share more about myself so I am a real person to you and not just that "chainmaille guy" who sits behind a table bending metal like some sort of machine.
Within the last several months I lost someone who previously, I considered the love of my life. That also meant I lost a second family.
Two weeks later, my youngest OLDER sister got married which was an absolutely fabulous event full of joy and dancing.
A week later, my grandfather passed away..needless to say, after all of these ups and downs, I was absolutely worn to the bone. BUT life goes on. I got back on my feet, poured everything into my chainmaille and my job at FedEx - where I was recently given a full-time position, and meeting new people. I have met such a tremendous amount of fabulous new people that I can easily call my chums! Among these peope, is someone I've taken a mild interest in, so we'll just see where that goes, I suppose. ; )
"And so, without further gilding the lily, and no more adieu.." (A knight's Tale)
Here is to 2015 and all the it took from us, while always giving us more in return! I raise my horn to all of those who stood by me through turmoil - my family, Adam, Tina, Eden, Cody, Travis, Nick (for drinking with me at the Ren fest, with his wife and friends and showing me a good time).
And I drink to welcome all of those fantastic new-comers to my life, and to those who have been brought back into my life; Rachel, Keila, Josh, Jasmin, Stephanie, Katherine, Emily, Corey and his band, Maddie, Emi, Evan, Tristan, Alecks, Dan Krueger, Eden, Nick, Dan Swenson, and Fisher. (And to anyone else I may have missed! Sorry!)
Onward to 2016 and all it has to offer, whether it be good or bad! Bring it on, I'm ready.
"I am not afraid. I was born to do this" - Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)