I have to say I love primitive survival. It’s been in my heart before I even knew it was a desire or passion of mine. I’ve always been drawn to nature, the outdoors, clay, and making things from scratch the hard way. I was always up to the challenge. It wasn’t until I started working at Anasazi Foundation that many years ago that helped me figure out what I was missing. Don’t get me wrong, I also did love the kids and what this program does for struggling youth and parents, but that is not my focus right now. It was there that I learned how to work with clay to make coil pots that I would use to cook my food. Flint knapping little arrow heads was also a really fun skill to have learned. I started to learn how to make arrows and self bows. Cordage from natural materials like yucca and dog bane. I worked with gourds to make canteens. I was able to attend Rabbit Stick in Idaho one year and learned a little basketry, tire sandals. I’ve always played with and worked with leather to create quivers and leather clothing. Oh how I loved doing survivals. There was a time I remember at Anasazi that there were around four of us that did a short training of about maybe 5 days with nothing. We found some wild grapes, but were new to this so that was about all the food we had. It was sour too. lol. We tried hunting small game with rocks. Got fire started with materials we found and used rock that we flaked for knives. It was a great experience, but we desperately needed food and we didn’t really know what we were doing so we starved a bit. We found some, what I call “band aide water” which is sitting water on some rock getting old. It was old and nasty so we used clothing to filter out the junk and it was not good. So I now have some experience with survival, but then I got married and life has happened.

Apache Match tinder bundle — An Apache Match used like a tinder bundle that is used to help start the fire after busting a coal.

I have not been able to go out as much as I would have liked to over the years. The reality is that it just costs too much to always drive hours away into the wilderness. Sadly my kids don’t know the outdoors as much as I would have liked them to know it. Through these years I have been able to keep up with all my skills and crafts. I love to make jewelry and to craft up so many different things. I love designing. That is where my mind excels. Lately I have been making 14k gold rings with lab grown diamonds. Just like any craft it is fun, but also challenging.

Gold Engagement Ring 2.5ct Oval Diamond — Recent Engagement Ring I made in 14k yellow gold with lab grown diamonds.

frost carving knife — My handy Frost knife with my yucca and leather sheath I made for it.

The challenge and love for these to areas of passions I have are really not that different from one another. I find that in survival I have to be creative and do the hard work of living and with jewelry I have the design challenge on up to the crafting of the piece. I have to keep in mind the design, structure, strength and possibilities of the future wear on the design. Both are challenging and can be satisfying and make you feel good when accomplished. With both skill I have to adapt and figure out the situation and make it work.

I have made some natural necklaces in the past. You can use black walnut twigs or thin branches. They have a hallow middle that can be used to string up your wooden beads cut from these branches. Then use some sinew and make a thin piece of cordage with it. From there you can string up your beads. So much fun to make.

black walnut necklace — Black Walnut Necklace

Silver Bow Drill Fire Set — Handmade Bow Drill Jewelry - Charm and Pendant

Handmade Leather Backpack — Leather backpack I made from water buffalo hide. The leather I purchased while living in Lao P.D.R. at a tannery. The leather was for cars I think. It’s very strong and the surface is not soft. Good for a rugged environment.

So to be honest my survival skills may have diminished or may have not improved as I have not been able to get out to the outdoors very often anymore, but my skills I have kept up with and this has kept me feeling like I still have a connection to it. This is just how my mind works. Always in survival mode, constantly striving to improve upon my skills and attitude. This is what they have in common and why I love them both so much. As much as I’d love to go out more often to practice survival I am working on my own little survival camp on my property. This way even if I can’t go out to the forest, I can still play at home. lol. I’ll post now and then on my progress. :)