I’m Jo. Years of being big on ideas and small on action, months of chronic pain, and a world on fire eventually did me a favour. My soul just kept saying, “less... less... no, even less.” until I actually listened. Until I stripped it all back to find what makes a difference to my heart and my world.

What’s left is my people, my place, and making things with my hands. Maybe one day that will expand, but for now I’m happy keeping it simple. It feels like I finally worked out the answer.

There’s something about a craftsperson who has spent years - sometimes a whole lifetime - mastering one thing. That focus and devotion is something I find truly meaningful. Beautiful, even. I'll probably never get there but I'm here to try, and for whatever version of that flow I can discover in the attempt.

I’m learning to hand carve wood. I’m also finding old wooden bowls, restoring and refinishing them. Teaching myself to feel my way around wood before I try to shape it. I write about what I’m learning, the failures and successes, the laughter (because where I go, that goes too), the inspiration Mother Nature brings me, and sharing other beautiful work that I come across.

Once a month or so. That’s it.

If slow work, craft, beauty and the odd tangent into why stories matter sounds like your kind of thing — you’re welcome here.