Junk food

Among my Christmas gifts received this year, I got two beading kits from a friend. One was for 7 pairs of earrings, and one for a necklace-and-earrings set.

Did you know I started my creative life as a beader? I was pretty good, too. I didn't sell much -- didn't have time to really get into it -- but I had several offers to teach, and was really doing quite well. And then, I don't know. The pressures to sell and to be super-creative and competitive all hit, and I didn't enjoy playing with my beads anymore, because I felt like I wasn't being creative enough. It wasn't good enough to just follow a pattern and make something for the sake of watching my hands work. So I kind of gave it up. The last time I beaded was shortly before my wedding, when I made necklaces for my bridesmaids and flowergirls. That was almost two years ago, and I really never had the urge to bead anything else since then.

But I got these kits, and really felt like making them. It took me a while to find the pliers in the back of my closet (along with two huge boxed filled with beads that I may or may not sell on eBay!). Then I sat down and made them. It was like eating potato chips -- I couldn't stop until I finished both packs.

Now I have 8 new pairs of earrings and a new necklace!



(They're hanging from a knitting needle. I've worn the pair that's second from the right already.)



(I've already worn the left-most pair, too. I love dangly earrings.)



(Not a huge fan of the necklace. Too...glassy...turquoisy...or something.)

This was fun! I loved just beading, without worrying about it.