Knifemaking in the Chaos

How I Find Peace in My Busiest Season

This time of year always sneaks up on me. No matter how prepared I think I am, it arrives so fast. The air changes, and suddenly, I’m in the middle of transitioning in the shop, my mind already starting to shift toward winter projects.

I’ve got about 17 unfinished pieces scattered across my work tables, each waiting for its turn to be brought to life.

It feels chaotic but also full of promise.

I’m balancing the rituals that ground me. I’ve been canning and putting up the last of the summer vegetables, mulching, and clearing out the old tomato vines in the garden.

There’s a certain peace that comes with these tasks—clearing away the remnants of summer to make space for what’s next.
I change the oil in all my machines.
I sweep off the cobwebs.
I brush off the frost that forms on my windshield in the mornings.

To embrace the chaos of my life, I switched from thinking of things as ‘mundane routines’ to ‘enchanted rituals.’

This season is so full of rituals.

I’ve started waking up earlier, just in time to meet the sunrise, and switched to drinking oolong tea in the mornings, savoring its warmth as the day begins. And at night, I soak in the bath, letting the warmth ease the long hours away, keeping myself healthy for the busy months ahead.

This is the time of year where I work long hours, well into the night, preparing for holiday markets. It’s also the season when people really start thinking about knives—so from August to December, everything picks up. Even when I’ve laid out a plan, it always seems to shift and evolve, but I’ve learned to embrace it. This time of year, with all its surprises and relentless pace, still fills me with positivity because it feels like exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m doing what I love.

Knifemaking is my passion, and these long hours and busy days are a part of the craft.

And yet, amidst the rush, there’s a rhythm to it all.
The familiar hum of the forge, the clink of steel on steel, and the quiet focus as I shape each piece, all remind me why I love what I do.
Even on the busiest days, when the hours blur together and I find myself deep in work long after the sun has set, there’s this undeniable sense of purpose. Each knife I create holds a part of me, my energy, my intention, and the story I’m trying to tell through my craft.

I’m already thinking about the winter projects, about how I want to push myself creatively this season, maybe explore new techniques or revisit old ones with a fresh perspective. But right now, it’s all about finishing what’s in front of me, one knife at a time, with the same care and attention I put into every piece. It’s easy to get lost in the rush of it all, but I find myself drawn back to those small moments of intention—the warmth of the bath at night, the sunrise in the morning, the garden tasks that connect me to the earth.

As the holidays approach, I know the pace will pick up even more, and the days will feel even shorter.

Halloween is a few days away, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, not just because of the celebration itself but because it’s rooted in the idea of food as nourishment and health. For me, the holiday is more than just a feast—it’s a reminder of the way food connects us, grounds us, and sustains us. There’s something deeply fulfilling about preparing a meal with intention, knowing that the food on the table is nourishing both the body and the soul.
But as much as I love Thanksgiving, the days that follow are a whirlwind. Christmas comes quickly, and for me, it’s always been a bit of a blur. As an adult, I’ve never had a real Christmas. The holiday season, which should be about slowing down and celebrating with loved ones, is always my busiest time of year. My birthday is the day after Christmas, but instead of relaxing or celebrating, I’ve always had to pick myself up and get right back to work.

There’s something bittersweet about it. I love the work I do, but Christmas slips by in the hustle of the shop and the demands of the season.

Every year, I tell myself I’ll slow down, that I’ll carve out a little time for myself, but it’s always the same—there’s just too much to do, too many projects to finish, too many holiday markets to prepare for.

I accept it because this is part of the life I’ve chosen, but I do wonder what it would be like to have a Christmas where I could simply be present, without thinking about what’s waiting for me in the shop the next day.

I’m learning to trust in the flow, to embrace the inevitable shifts and changes, and to remind myself that this is all part of the process. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

There’s a magic to this time of year, a quiet excitement that builds with every knife completed, every holiday market prepared for, every new project dreamed up.

And through it all, I remain grateful. Grateful for the work, for the people who believe in my craft, for the rituals that keep me grounded, and for the passion that drives me forward. This season may be demanding, but it’s also filled with possibility, and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

As I prepare for the busy months ahead, I’d love for you to follow along.
Stay subscribed for a few unique holiday party recipes I’ll release in the coming weeks.

Read about the latest updates on my fall and winter events here.

Have a great weekend!
Don’t forget to heart this post if you enjoyed reading it!