New hobby, and accidental earrings
Feb. 7th, 2009 05:30 pmI've been feeling for a while that it was time for a new hobby, of the kind that produces something a bit more tangible than pixels on a screen, and after some cogitation over the last week or so I decided to try my hand at beading.
This afternoon, I trotted off to my local Michael's and picked out tools, findings, and a selection of beads. The original plan called for enough beads and etcetera for two necklaces, one purple and one green, but there was mission creep; I fell in love with some leaf-shaped shell pendants, and then I wandered over to Jo-ann Fabrics and found some more purple beads and some red coral chips. So it may be four or five necklaces, in the end.
I came home with my spoils, spread them out on the dining table -- being the only unused horizontal surface in the apartment -- and made my first attempt at crimping, only to discover that I'd forgotten to acquire wire cutters. Aaargh. Also, I think I have the wrong kind of crimp beads. Oh well, I can go back tomorrow, and if I keep myself on a tight leash I don't have to come home with half the store. Just cutters, and crimps, and maybe some storage boxes.
But! I wanted to try my skill at making a loop in the end of a head pin, and that didn't require cutters, just pliers. I found a bead with a small enough hole for a 3/4" pin not to fall through, and made my loop, and attached it to a clip earring back. Earring! I had to scrabble a bit to find another bead similar enough to make the second half of the pair -- it was, literally, a mixed bag -- but I got one in the end.
And now I need groceries.
This afternoon, I trotted off to my local Michael's and picked out tools, findings, and a selection of beads. The original plan called for enough beads and etcetera for two necklaces, one purple and one green, but there was mission creep; I fell in love with some leaf-shaped shell pendants, and then I wandered over to Jo-ann Fabrics and found some more purple beads and some red coral chips. So it may be four or five necklaces, in the end.
I came home with my spoils, spread them out on the dining table -- being the only unused horizontal surface in the apartment -- and made my first attempt at crimping, only to discover that I'd forgotten to acquire wire cutters. Aaargh. Also, I think I have the wrong kind of crimp beads. Oh well, I can go back tomorrow, and if I keep myself on a tight leash I don't have to come home with half the store. Just cutters, and crimps, and maybe some storage boxes.
But! I wanted to try my skill at making a loop in the end of a head pin, and that didn't require cutters, just pliers. I found a bead with a small enough hole for a 3/4" pin not to fall through, and made my loop, and attached it to a clip earring back. Earring! I had to scrabble a bit to find another bead similar enough to make the second half of the pair -- it was, literally, a mixed bag -- but I got one in the end.
And now I need groceries.
