I am taking a jewelry making class. Yes, a craft class. Seriously. Stop laughing.
We (8 of us) started in mid-August with a 15-hour class focused on learning the basics. I practiced lots techniques using various tools, wire, thread and beads that I do not have the faintest idea what they are called in English. "Nudo de rosario" anyone? I also had to consult the dictionary to find out how to say "bead" in Spanish.
We had such a good time, enjoyed each other's company tremendously and felt we still had so much to learn that we decided to go for another 15 hours beginning this Thursday night. Our assignment is to craft 3 pieces of jewelry that we feel represent our signature style using odds and ends of jewelry that we have on hand. We were not to buy anything. Given that I was not going to take apart any of my pearl jewelry which is basically my signature style and that I have never created anything in my life, I was feeling a little overwhelmed to say the least. I looked at many websites and Pinterest pins to copy, but everything looked too complicated and/or I did not have the materials to proceed. I gave serious consideration to opt out of the class.
Then I met a friend for lunch yesterday. She had just returned from a trip to Egypt and was wearing a tiny little beaded bracelet from which hung one larger bead and nothing else. I fell in love with the idea instantly. The rest is history. This afternoon I sat down and made these three bracelets. Of course, I had to make the beads bigger and the hanging-down-bead bigger and of a variety of materials. I cannibalized pieces of jewerly I have picked up while traveling and then stashed away because I had no idea why I bought the pieces in the first place.
I may wake up tomorrow wondering what the hell was I thinking and destroy these istantly, but for now, I am at least planning to attend class on Thursday evening.
5 comments:
I'm not laughing - though I did check twice to be sure I had the right blog ;-) Good for you - taking a class like that!!
And the bracelets look great - wearable, stylish, and appropriate for your look. Honestly, when I first looked through the photos I figured you had picked them up somewhere...
I also love the green pot.
The green pot was a pot used to hold olive oil in Spain. Now it just sits,looks pretty, and is sometimes used as a prop. Thanks for your kind words about the bracelets. In the cold light of day, I still like them.
So - you can make some of the things you've been pinning - like the basket case and 4 wire wrap? I got chunks of amethyst and tigers eye that would look great wrapped up like that.
Wrapping is a major part of the class. It is amazing how I now recognize the methods involved in wrapping and can do much of the basics. I have trouble finishings, and I am stumped by the wire. What size? What material? My goal in class this week is to ask a million questions AND to take notes. I have a vocabulary cheat sheet to help. So save those stones...
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