Peace, Love and Cupcakes: Ice Carving At Home

Ice carving at home?! That is something that I didn't think I would try to do until these times and turned out way more complicated than I thought it would. I mean, picking up and loading 400 pounds of ice into a freezer at home and then carving it in the garage would be easy, right? :)

What I learned, though, is there's always a new and unexpected challenge in life, and always a way to overcome it if you stay focused. The fruits of my labor? 4 Miniature (75-100ish pound) ice carvings, holding a chainsaw again for the first time in weeks, learning about working on a scale that is about 1/4 of what it usually is for carving, and so much more.

During the course of my day the new freezer I was using for my ice blocks stopped cooling properly, so I had to carve them all before they melted. I was at least able to display them on my lawn for my neighborhood to enjoy during these uncertain times. Many of my neighbors passed by to see and enjoyed them both during my carving and after they were finished and on display.

PEACE - The biggest thing I think everyone has been chasing during these uncertain times is peace. In some form. Peace with what is going on in general, peace with the loss of many forms that people are suffering from, and peace with the fallout that continues to unfold daily.

LOVE - is something that we are all trying to find ways to show without being near each other in these times. Love through a phone call, love through a video call, or heck, love through an ice carving! ;)

CUPCAKES - Although I've never loved making actual cupcakes (that's right, I said it, and I stand by it! ;) ) It was super fun to make this one out of ice to represent the birthdays and celebrations that people are missing with one another for now. Anyone who sees this post and has missed a birthday celebration or another party for a memorable event recently, let this virtual ice cupcake be for you!

For those of you who have taken the time to view the carving videos on the video tab of my site in their entirety, you'll notice they're a little rough around the edges. But, truth be told, so is ice carving! :)

In the coming weeks, I will be continuing to ice carve at home to keep my skills sharp. If you sign up for my mailing list through the form at the bottom of this page you will receive future updates on new carving videos!

And now, a big THANK YOU is in order!

First, thank you to Nadeau's Ice Sculptures in Forest Park, Illinois, for donating this full block of ice for me to practice on. I am seriously grateful.

www.nadeauice.com

Also, thank you to my friend Renee for helping me load it all in the car from the shop and getting it all in the freezer at home. Seriously. Hard. Work. And thank you to my lovely husband for taking pictures, checking on me, helping move the carvings, and being my personal cheerleader. You are awesome.

All in all, I had an exhausting and wet day. Full of thrills, ups, downs, motor sounds and dubstep music. And I can't wait until I can do it again. Until then, I hope you are all able to find your own peace, love, and cupcakes (or order some custom cupcakes from the contact tab at the top of this page ;) ).