| In This Newsletter You'll discover that friends can be one of your best sources of inspiration and creativity. I fondly remember what not to say while wandering through a bead shop. Read what other Creative Woman readers are up to. Enjoy a "found object" jewelry project that makes a great gift. Don't miss this month's Nifty, Thrifty Budget Boosters. Dear AnnMarie, It's interesting that often we get involved with different or new types of creativity on the advice or influence of a friend. Our friends know our likes and dislikes. They give us a broader view of art, craft and creativity. I've learned to listen to my friends and to enjoy creativity through them. What a wonderful network friendship can be to exchange ideas, get feedback and even take a few road trips!  Creativity is a delightful game of give and take. And to me, the more you give, the more you receive. I have my friend Vicki to thank for my hopeless addiction to beads and jewelry making. During a phone conversation years ago, Vicki told me how much fun she was having making bracelets and swapping the bracelets with friends. "You should go visit a bead shop or take a closer look at the bead aisle of your favorite craft store. You'll love it," said Vicki.
I was quickly hooked. I started with medium to large glass beads that I strung into bracelets. My crafting buddy Nancee and I decided to take a road trip down to West Palm Beach, Fla., where we heard there was a bead shop that was the best in the state. Best in the world was my opinion once we arrived at Crystal Creations. This shop had everything. Think Before You Speak
It was the seed beads that caught my attention during our visit. "Who is crazy enough to want to make jewelry with these tiny little beads?" I loudly announced to the entire store. The store went dead quiet, and everyone turned to look at me. I was a bit embarrassed, but I knew I was right. No one in his or her right mind would volunteer and pay good money to work with beads so minute you'd need a magnifying glass to see them! (Be careful what you say.) It was not two weeks later that I spotted a very cool bracelet in a magazine that I just had to make, and you guessed it … it was made up entirely of seed beads. I humbly returned to the bead shop and loaded up my basket with seed beads. The staff remembered me, and I know they wanted to burst into laughter when I approached the checkout counter. But they were kindhearted people who didn't say so much as an "I told you so," but only smiled. I guess we crazy people stick together.
Back to top. Bead Happy!
I must have hundreds and hundreds of beads now: big ones ... little ones ... ones made of glass, wood, shell, gemstone, metal, crystal and plastic. I even took up lampworking two years ago. I still consider myself a beginner at glass bead making, but I'm also proud of myself for learning a craft that takes time and lots of practice. I enjoy reading bead magazines and books. I recently found earrings, earrings, earrings!, a new book that has 71 projects in it.
Beads were my introduction to jewelry making, but jewelry making is not limited to just beads. A huge influence right now in jewelry making is the mixed media technique, which allows for all kinds of objects to become "beads." Later on in this newsletter, you'll see how Florence Tebbets of California used old jewelry to create a new piece of jewelry in Yo-Yo Brooch. I love the idea of using old jewelry that can be found at garage sales and flea markets to create new pieces of jewelry. It's a great way to craft green.
Back to top. Your Feedback on Going Green, Recycling & Organization I tat earrings and use old cards to make the boxes for the earrings. I, like you, have too many craft items, and I still work full-time so I don't have a lot of time for crafts. That is one reason I tat. I can take it with me in my purse. I now have drawers of different color and different size threads, however! I enjoy the Creative Woman newsletter and look forward to its arrival in my e-mail. Keep up the good work. Ann N. I would like to tell you how I have been "green" for several years. I use my old Christmas cards to make tags for gifts, and when I wrap the presents, I tie the tag onto the bow. Then, when the kids open their gifts, I snatch the bow (complete with tag) and save it for next year. Some of my tags and bows are 10 years old or even more. I'm more sophisticated with my tags now, but it is kind of fun to see that some have been around for a very long time!
Via e-mail It is so nice to read that I am not the only craft nut that got out of control. I started to get myself organized Jan. 3, 2009. This is my year to DO IT! Now, I remind myself to put things back in their place when I am finished with them. Boxes are labeled. Since my children left home to continue with their lives, I have taken over their three rooms. I give myself a timeline on the days I plan to work on their rooms. I must admit: I do feel so much better when I can see a tabletop and more of the floor too. It is nice to see from the article that I can get it done too. Great article!
LesLey R. Back to top. Found Objects Make Great Jewelry! The term "found objects" loosely means objects that are found in common places, but used in uncommon ways! Some of my favorite found objects are bottle caps, old postcards, broken jewelry bits (watches that no longer work, brooches with broken closures), game pieces, twigs and seashells. Many of my friends use found objects in jewelry making, too, and I wanted to share one of the crafty treasures I've been given. It was made of scrap fabric and an old dangle earring.
 | | Project inspiration image photo courtesy of Clover. Used with permission, 2009 | Back to top. |
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