This object was my journal during a 2-week trip to Sweden as part of the Artisan Development Program at North House Folk School. Our days were full and our nights were late during the trip, and I simply didn't have the time to capture all of my thoughts in writing. So, instead, I prepared this small plank of birch and brought my kolrosing kit on the journey.

Kolrosing is a very ancient Scandinavian technique for engraving or tattooing patterns into smooth pieces of wood. The technique of kolrosing was often used to create wooden calendars, decorated with intricate symbolism referencing solstices, equinoxes, feast days, and holidays.

Inspired by the historical calendar sticks, my wooden journal has one symbol for every person we met, workshop we visited, museum we explored, and interesting meal we devoured. On the other side of the journal I used milk paint to cover the surface, and employed the technique of chip carving to keep a dream journal.