The beadings will continue until morale improves...

[eris esoteric]

So, I think I'm going to take the plunge here tonight. I'm making the boyfriend take me to Michael's. The part he knows is that there's a couple things I'm looking to get to alter some of my necklaces (or, more specifically, to turn one of my necklaces into some of my necklaces.)

But I think I want to actually start playing around here. After making one decent set of earrings from a bunch of stuff left over from other earrings I'd taken apart, it's occurred to me that I haven't really given my tinkering nature an outlet at home (various psychological experiments on the cats aside.)

So, Michael's. So, a kit. Probably. One with some basic tools and maybe enough stuff to make a couple simple pieces. And some cord to work on that necklace issue.

I think my first real creative effort is going to be making some sort of decorated elastic hair tie. Something nice to tie off the the end of a braid. I have a couple ideas, I'll let you guys know if I come up with anything interesting.

Wish me luck, and remember the mantra...

It's all Lynn's fault. It's all Lynn's fault...

[lynnzop[$]]

I was waiting for that last line.

Another convert....heh heh heh.......

[emeleel]

Me, too.

I'm here for ya, Eris, I'm one of the ones she got to...

[hadassahchana[$]]

I'm still holding out hope for the vaccine.

[lynnzop[$]]

muhwahahahaha and lovely things y'all make too.

[emeleel]

Isn't a vaccine no good when you've already been infected?

[conradd]

Take cash and leave your credit cards at home. Speaking from experience here.

[lynnzop[$]]

I'm totally innocent, I swear.

(and just wait until you get into wire...I got a nice big box in the mail yesterday and drooled over it....two spools of copper, one 10' spool of sterling, and a couple of foot-long sections of really heavy gauge sterling...about $75 without even trying...)

[eris esoteric]

OK, got a kit, got some tools.

Fixed the necklace, so now they're necklaces. (Don't really know what's the deal with necklaces with multiple beaded strands and one really chunky pendant stone. I've seen a lot of them lately. Don't like them at all. But easily fixed.)

First thing I did was a set of earrings. I'm proud of how well they came out.



Fixed a bracelet.

Made a new bracelet.

Made most of a necklace. Fortunately, the work uniform has a shirt with a slightly large oxford collar, so I can get away with just the front part looking pretty (Which is what I've been doing for the necklaces formerly known as necklace.) For now, it's a nice three strand connected by tiger tail. When I swing back to Michael's I think I'm going to get some chain.

Dang, is that all? What have I been doing all night?

[lynnzop[$]]

Nice job Eris!!! I like the way you've wrapped those little rondelles at the bottom, and seriously, that's a very neat job on the crimps!

[emeleel]

Very nice!

[eris esoteric]

Thanks, guys!

I love my new tools. LOVE them. I think half the reason I got into this was so I could have something to use tools on. The cameras, they just don't move me.

The boyfriend has plier envy.

The wire cutter that came with the kit is garbage, but the flat head pliers MORE than make up for it. Sadly, crimping pliers did not come with. So I'll be keeping an eye out for those. And I'll probably go to a hardware store and just invest in good wire cutters.

Just finished another set of earrings. So now, I'm at $32.00, and I've gotten two pairs of earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and a hairbob. This is WAY cheaper than buying stuff! Even when I'm buying stuff from Meijer's and Target.

[emeleel]

You know what I use for cutting my beading wire? An old pair of toenail clippers!

[emeleel]

Note: That's for beading wire, and lightweight crafting wire ONLY. Harder or thicker wire is a no-no. Those you've got to use real cutters on.

[lynnzop[$]]

Yep, what Melanie said. Nail clippers work great for beading wire. You can get by with a lot of less expensive stuff for a long time when you are starting out. I made due with a pliers I stole from Dan and a nail clippers for a long time.

I currently have about two dozen pliers, a steel block, three hammers, a half-dozen files, an anvil, a couple of clamps and various saws, draws, mandrels, and ring sizers. Not to mention a Foredom and ring maker tool. My husband has serious tool envy, but I go out and steal his cordless drill and vise every so once in a while.

Tell Boyfriend it could be worse.

[mtbat]

I think the earrings look great Eris

[eris esoteric]

Thank you, Fridai.

More pics:

~~pics edited out to make room for better stuff~~


(beware the novice beader with a photo-philic boyfriend)

[mtbat]

those are very cute

[eris esoteric]

Well, I've been busy. First, some experiments with junk beads.

And I do mean JUNK beads. I swear this set was assembled by sweeping the floor. Still, I'm rather proud of what I was able to accomplish with them.






And a nice, simple piece made with some NICE beads:



And they said I'd have to be crazy to try to make a 6 strand sead bead bracelet with stretchy string. Fortunately, I AM crazy. This necklace/bracelet set is my new favorite:

[lynnzop[$]]

That last set is stunning, Eris. Really. I'm just amazed at how far you've come so quickly!!!

The other sets are very cute too...nice color, size and shape balance! Are you doing those leather ends from scratch or a kit?

[hadassahchana[$]]

How pretty! I like the first one best - that colour is beautiful. There are so many clever and talented people on this board!