Kingsbury,
You've turned my kit into a true work of art. And, you've done justice to my designs. It's truly amazing work for a first timer. Now, it's to see some original work from you. I'm sure it is going to be great. Don't you just love the Lindsey tool? That's what I used to do my engraving.
I'm so glad that guy challenged you to do your own work. One time I wanted a car painted, got a quote from a guy who was supposed to be one of the best, hauled the car on a trailer several hundred miles to his shop only to have him double the price. I loaded the car back on the trailer, took it home, did a little reading, bought a top quality spray gun, and put a paint job on the car that several professionals said was as good or better than they could have done. Sometime the best teacher is someone that says "you can't do that."
Jim