I am a lucky girl for many reasons, one of which is an amazing group of friends. I’m in two book clubs and both book clubs are teeming with women who positively burst with creativity and an interest in trying new things. When Bramble Berry bought/”won” a beading party at the local Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services fundraising auction, one of my book clubs jumped at the chance to learn a new hobby, bond and come out with some custom earrings in the process.
Here are me and Sarah, a 7-year book club member, trying to make our earrings. The actual picking out of the beads took longer than the wiring and stringing. It might be difficult to tell in the photos below, but my bead box is positively overflowing with beads of all colors shapes and sizes. There’s got to be some sort of correlation between my copious collection and personality type because all the other gals had very clean bead trays, with only the minimum of perfectly chosen beads. Then again, I’ve been in all of their homes. Their houses are definitely cleaner and more organized than mine… (hm, correlation? I think so!)
Can you see how hard I am concentrating in this picture (to the left)? Can you see the bead of sweat running down my cheek (well, that’s what it felt like)? Thankfully, it paid off and I have my very own custom set of earrings to prove it. I give major kudos to those who create handmade jewelry. It is way harder than it looks. I was also amazed to learn how many different methods there were for jewelry making! Wowza!
All in all, the experience was a blast. I’m thankful for good friends, the opportunity to learn a new craft and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
On a side note, I’m in Seattle for a few days for meetings, borrowing a friend’s condo on Lake Washington (bless her heart for hosting me). Last night, she and I went to the Space Needle and listened to the founders of eHarmony Marriage, Les and Leslie Parrot, speak on relationships and business. There were a few great take-aways that I can’t wait to share with you. But that will have to wait for another day because I’m leaving the Starbucks (thank you Starbucks for the wi-fi!) to go meet with Wyatt from the Whitney & Wyatt Show. Until tomorrow … (or the next Starbucks wi-fi spot).
Beads are just as adictive as soap….beware!
Heidi- I agree, big props to jewelry makers! You had me laughing with the 10 thumbs visual!
KatwOman- I felt a little squinty and clumsy at first too, but then I really got into it! I always enjoy reading your comments!
SingingWolf- Thanks for the link =)
Teresa- I wish I had a close up picture of the earrings to show you- I’m flattered!
I agree with SingingWolf: jewelry making is just as addictive as soaping! (And I have no time for either right now…)
A beading party would be sooo much fun to attend! Can we see a close-up of your earrings? 😉
No, I did not see that comment, “Beading is as addictive as soaping.” NO…repeat after me…NO!!! Thanks for sharing Anne-Marie, as always. 🙂
Careful….beading is as addictive as soaping.
Shala Kerrigan has some great projects over at http://beadwork.bellaonline.com/Site.asp
Now…how bout a closeup picture of your custom made jewelry?
i suspect that if i were to buy beads, that they would also be like my fabrics:
i love fabric
i love to look at it
touch it
feel it
buy it
arrange it by color spectrum
stack it
put it on my table
photograph product with it
buy books about making pillows
look at quilting books
etc
ad finitum
ad nauseum
but when it come to actually dragging the old sewing machine out, and actually laying out pattern pieces and actually cutting it out and then the laborious task of submitting to someone else’s idea of how it systematically should be made, then i NEVER do it,
i have beads right now. they are beautiful. they are lying in spectrum of all the beautiful colors God made for us to enjoy,
but to think of donning my magnifier glasses
and squinting to try to thread any one of them.
and then to look under the kitchen table when they fall out of my clumsy little fingers onto the floor….
the very thought makes me want to scream in agitation and wet my pants…….
sad, but true
great interview! i enjoyed watching it!
I have such respect for people who make jewelry. I have lots of supplies in my closet, but absolutely NO talent!! I might as well have 10 thumbs, lol.
becareful beads tend to multiply once they enter your house!