So, I'm making some major investments in my foundry operation. In the last few days:

- I've purchased a pair of clay graphite crucibles.
- I've cast a new, reinforced lid for the foundry.
- I've mixed a sixty pound batch of greensand.
- I've purchased the supplies to fabricate a cope and drag assembly, tongs, and a pouring shank to handle the new crucibles.
- I'm not far from being able to synthesize elemental silicon in hopes of crafting my own aircraft grade aluminum alloys.
- I've been talking with the minister of the church I go to, wherein there is a bookstore. It's a unity church so there's a lot of new-agey vibes going on and the jewelry I make appeals to their crunchy sensibilities. The minister wants to see more of my work up for sale there.
- I'm also working with the youth pastor to organize a find-raising thing where the teens make jewelry for the shop but it uses some things I'll have to make myself by casting metal. More exposure for me.

I'm not abandoning traditional artwork but I'm expecting crafting to become the major occupier of my time and energy from here forward. Things are going very, very well.