Years in the making and almost done.

I have always wanted to learn how to play the harp. Buying a pedal harp has not been an option considering they can cost as much as a new small car. The year I graduated from high school I found a company that put together kits. I debated about getting one. I researched like crazy and even wrote a paper on lever harps that worked for 2 classes. I looked at renting one but that didn't pan-out. I got brave and went to my credit union and asked for a loan to buy a harp kit. That was almost 9 years ago. I received it and then began putting it together. I would spend as much time as I could on it. Life started happening and I put it on the back burner. Then I would pull it out once in a while. I hit some snags along the way, like a part on the sound board wasn't straight and I was heart broken. My lovely mommy bought me a new one because it wasn't salvageable and had the piece that was the problem glued on at the shop and drilled before it was sent to me. (I was heart broken and cried when I found out that the support piece was crooked and I didn't have the money to buy a new soundboard.) I went on a mission and it got wrapped in bubble wrap and got put in the basement. When I got home I pulled it out and began working on it again. I hit some snags and wasn't comfortable attaching one of the pieces so my mom eventually took it to one of our friends who does wood working and had him do it. Last night my mom called me and told me that he had gotten it together! YAY!!!. Now all I need to do is sand it down, apply the decoration and string it up. It is finally coming together and I am very pleased. I am kind of a musical instrument freak. . .I have 2 violins, 1 piano, 2 guitars (1 classical & 1 acoustic), 3-4 random percussion instruments that I couldn't help buying, and an ALMOST DONE HARP!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I give you a sneak peak of the style:

It is cherry wood like what is pictured above minus the carving on the side. I have a wonderful design that I drew that I will be putting on the sound board. When I finish it I will put some pictures up. School will most likely slow that process (and a cold garage will too). I was thinking about taking some summer classes, but I don't think I will. I want to finish it so bad. The only problem will be that if I were to take lessons I have no way of transporting it to and from, my car is not large enough to put it in. I need a station wagon or suv or something. . .I refuse to drive a mini van! :) I will just let the car problem float for a while until I finish it and have to take it somewhere for lessons.