Jen's Training & Steve's Downtime

My training is going quite well, and Steve insists I'm doing great. I've now learned how to make all of our Smokin' Props and sugar cubes. Malini Eggs are my next venture. I have a huge appreciation for the tips and tricks he's sharing with me. Steve endured YEARS of trial and error at who knows what actual expense financially to get to where he is today and neither of us take that for granted. When he shares a tidbit of advice, I listen. It is frustrating to me that so many people think it's so easy to hand-make things. I can assure you that it is not easy. Even when you get it down to a science, mistakes can be made easily. The weather can have an effect. A material may not cure properly even though you know you followed every step precisely. There are so many variables. Shoot, it could be Thursday, and that's why it won't work.

I'm trying my best effort to pull some of the workload off of Steve. Many years of teaching and playing the banjo in a professional capacity combined with 23 years of illusion building for the haunted house have taken a serious toll on his hands. The small, intricate production work involved with maintaining our stock is becoming more than a painful burden on him. Compression gloves, ice packs, hand exercises, braces, custom-made splints, creams, medications, ergonomic assistance, steroids—the list is endless. It is time to have the carpal tunnel surgery. We hope that Steve's time down will be short, but it is unknown how his recovery will go.
​
We appreciate prayers and good thoughts you can offer, and I'll keep working on producing the small items as I can! Updates will be shared as soon as we have them!