The obsession continues. It’s been almost a month and I’m still beading quite a bit – pretty much every day. I’ve made 11 necklaces so far, not counting the little one I made for Camila and the several necklaces that I made only to decide I didn’t like and ended up unmaking. Pretty much everyone with whom I exchange presents is getting a necklace (or a pendant) this year 🙂
Mika is not very enthusiastic any more about beading, but Camila is totally into it. She likes following the patterns on the necklaces I make (but she won’t put the 2mm seed beads) and loves making necklaces of her own, on which she tries, but cannot, follow a pattern. The only problem is that she wants to use my “good” beads in her necklaces – the plastic ones are not good enough for her 🙁 After we are done with a necklace, no matter how it looks, she enthusiastically proclaims that “it’s very cute, mama”, opening her eyes to show delight. She’s so sweet.
I have several necklaces planned out (though I’ve learned that I’m not good at predicting what will look good together) but I’m waiting for spacer beads (which I also ordered on e-bay from China). I’ve also been making earrings but I find that more difficult, looping the pins into a hook in particular.
I’m still astounded that I’m enjoying this so much – I’m the least crafty sort of person in the world. But it is completely mindless and makes me relax 🙂
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I’ve ordered a bunch of findings (as the metal parts that hold jewelry together are called) through e-bay, but most of them are coming from China, so it’ll be a while before I get them. Meanwhile I was in need of more clasps, fishhooks (for earrings), crimp beads and so forth. I figured buying a findings set would be the cheapest option – specially given the 40% off coupon always available at Michaels. Well, I was wrong. The Precious Accents collection is soooo bad that I’d have been better off just waiting.
The collection, even with the coupon, is not particularly cheap – almost $7 after tax. It comes with a little of everything, emphasis on the little. But what is annoying is just how cheap all the findings are, made from such weak metal. The clasps are hard to open (and I’m sure they’ll quickly break), the hoops are too small and the pins very fragile. I hope the stuff I get from China is better 🙂
Every day, for the last week or so, I’ve getting in the mail small yellow or brownish envelopes with Hong Kong return addresses. They are padded and only as long as my hand. It’s not mystery (to me and to you) as to what’s inside: beads, pendants or some other jewelry-making-thing. 90% of the cheap stuff sold on e-bay comes, of course, from China (though yesterday I got a package from Singapore).
But I wonder – what does the mail carrier think about those little, strange, brown envelopes from China? Do they seem suspicious? Do they wonder what’s inside? Could it be something criminal? (even I have trouble figuring out what).
Given just how much stuff I’ve bought on e-bay, I should be getting those little packages regularly for the next couple of weeks. Let’s see if the mail carrier ever asks 🙂
Stephen Cassidy, a former school board member in San Leandro, has announced his candidacy for Mayor. I’ve known Stephen for a number of years and I’m impressed by his passion and his work ethic. He’s also very intelligent, which doesn’t hurt 🙂
I’ll be working on his campaign and I’m hoping all my San Leandro readers will support him. Below is his press release. You can find his website at www.cassidyforsanleandro.com. Also, please join the facebook group Cassidy for San Leandro Mayor.
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