Bejeweled

                                             I caught the sparkle!

Four girls for Creativity 101 and we were so busy I forgot to get finished photos of 2 anklets and one pair of earrings.  But after the three girls left we returned as I had visions of sparkles in my head.

                                April fine tuned her anklet and made a second.

                                                                      I made an anklet.


 Then I perfected the curve needed to attach the beads to the earring itself.

Since I was still seeing sparkles I finished up with a flourish and a matching bracelet.  When 'it' happens it sure feels darn good!

Nevertheless

I came to terms with the early spring and today I find that winter is back!  These girls are patiently awaiting the arrival of their offspring.  The front runner is in the barn reconciling the loss of one triplet, encouraging the second and trying to keep track of the third.  The next two are arguing over whose lamb is whose.  A young expectant mother is all excited and annoying everyone because the lamb she is looking for hasn't been birthed yet.  Sheep!!!

Beading class was also not without its no no's but the bracelet was completed to Jenn's satisfaction.  We also learned that the 'string' in the bead kit was the elastic we had needed.  vbsigh!  This bracelet can certainly be improved upon but it is my favourite to date. 

We then had a look at the next project and while it looks a bit complicated we will be proceeding one bead at a time, or should I say, jump ring!  The original bracelet was a thrift shop find.  We removed 3 charms and kept the shoe.  We'll be adding our own selections.  Jenn is a pink and purple gal.

The new art counter is working wonderfully. I may need to actually give up some more form to have function at optimum levels.  This is very different for me and really says something because I like things to look nice.  But I so want to just make 'nice' and I'm not caring so much about pretty surroundings! 

I read a quote somewhere and then had it confirmed by a short video last night that the talent to make great works is there.  But the ability to actually make it falls short and we know it is, well, awful.  I was there.  What I did was not what I envisioned.  I was discouraged.  Thank goodness I didn't quit.  Because it happens to everyone.  What is necessary is to stick, and stay; swallow the salt and then savour the sweet taste of a small success that signals the end of the beginning and the beginning of a whole new exciting journey.  Last week I had that Aha! moment.  Things 'cu licked'.  While I'm still learning, things aren't quite so awful.  I knew I had arrived when my Rooster commented on my new artistic addiction.  :)  I've been noticed.  LOL  I showed him my balance page and asked what he thought.  He took a moment to think.  He said, yes!  VBSigh  Because if he got it, I got it! 

Beautiful beginnings

I do believe I have a beautiful beginning for Bead Day.

I kinda like instant gratification so I decided to use my beads with any of the premade packages I had acquired.  I am learning how 'some' of the ends come off.  lol

The fabric necklace probably needs one end removed and then recrimped when the beads are added.

I do like the magnetic clasps and it was totally by accident I discover that it just has a long thread on the wire.  The suede or elastic are very casual.

I stumbled across some discount beads at the fabric store.  They were buy one and get 3 packages free.  Goodness.  But the reason was that only the beads remained and there was no wire.  But I took the chance as I really like these large beads with the big openings that are lined with metal.

 Sure enough I found a large bracelet that had a clasp that enclosed the small end that the beads slipped over. Turns out I have a small wrist.  :(   This is very loose but because the beads are packed to fill the chain they would be falling off as I tried to close that clasp on my wrist so loose is good. But that's a pain either way.  Now I have an idea of sizing. :O  The one I decided would be too small wouldn't have been.  I shall try to get back for more of the sale beads and the smaller bracelet.  I do have a package of snake chain that may or may not work but that would be lesson two.

A big advantage in using wires that have a knob that unscrews is that I can try all kinds of different things.  If it doesn't work when I wear them for a bit then I can try again.  I imagine you could quickly change colour schemes if you were so inclined.  I did find this bead reamer quite useful but perhaps it is an indication of the quality of my beads.  

I need to consider more spacers between the individual feature beads.

The disadvantage of quick is that it lacks the finesse of fine jewelry.  But I will upscale as I learn.  I'm thinking that I will like simpler necklaces but  fairly clunky bracelets.  I haven't even thought too much about earrings.  

Monday is scheduled as a Family Day Holiday so I took the free time to get a wee bit ahead of my fellow beaders.  I'll try to work on the new stuff in the morning and share what I learned the previous week in the afternoon.  Then it should beeeeee a good day.  After all,   I/we Got Options!