Every
Craft Has a Story 08/06
Have
you ever rummaged through your grandmother’s
jewelry box? Or perhaps through your
grandpa’s closet to find old
straw hats or his unique silk ties?
It’s amazing of all the items
that you can find! But did you ever
stop to think of the stories behind
them? Imagine the decade of events!-Maybe
even the turning of a century! Everybody
and everything has a story.
The
same concept goes with your handmade
crafts. Each special moment that you
worked on your craft, a story was
in the making. What were the major
current events going on during the
creation? Something in the news, entertainment,
or family could have inspired you
to design your special treasure.
Also,
the supplies and contents that were
used to make your craft each had its
own personal saying as well. Perhaps
it was those old antique mother of
pearls that were used to design a
handmade bracelet-or that oak wood
from your favorite tree in that backyard
you used to play for hours at a time
as a child. Then again, maybe it was
a special heirloom charm that had
been shared from many family generations
through the years.
When
creating, think about your story and
what you want your piece to say. How
do you want it to inspire others when
they see or use it? Life is short,
but it’s the little things and
the story that it represents that
will make your special craft last
an eternity.
Cherish
your moments and hold close those
stories that you keep in your heart.
Creations by hand are the best treasure
of all.
Read
this at Ebay Guides!
| Finding
the Right Bead For You
|
 |
Beads.
Ahh, the world of beads!! If you
are a jewelry maker or handmade
jewelry lover, then you know what
I’m talking about. There’s
so many to choose from, that it
makes it hard to decide which ones
are best for your own personal designs.
Sure, if you are following a specific
pattern, then you purchase the beads
that the instructions call for—but
what if you want to spread your
own wings and flourish from that
pattern? Then you go to the world
of beads!
First, you find a craft store or
bead store – You can find
some of the neatest beads at chain
stores such as Wal-Mart. Then there
are craft stores such as Michaels
or Hobby Lobby. Of course, then
you have your specialty stores too.
But then—its not always about
the store----its about the BEAD.
Now, look deep into your very crafty-or
should I say… “Beady”
soul. What colors scream you? What
designs catch your eye? Do you love
the water? Do those clouds up above
just mesmerize you? Are you just
a faithful lover of the color blue?
Then go look for those pretty shades
of blue… Sky blue, navy blue,
ocean blue, and/or turquoise, etc.
Then you can find patterns with
flowers, cat-eyes-anything to your
hearts content.
Baby—if you love blue—then
bead the night away in blue.
How about nature colors? Our mother’s
great outdoors have just color that
travels a million directions! You
have the soft green grass, the colors
of leaves in autumn, all of the
animals, brilliant pinks and purples
in the flowers. There is just so
much color in the world of nature!
Take your favorite picture of nature’s
outdoors with you when choosing
your beads—this will help
you wonderfully.
Of course, there’s even more
patterns and colors that can help
you decide. Perhaps you already
have favorite colors you like to
work with. It’s almost like
taking a test—Your first instinct
is always the right answer! If there
is a bead that is just talking to
you-go for it! Pick her up-touch
it, feel it, and imagine it in your
studio—with your designs!
I promise you-it will talk to you.
Everybody’s perfect bead is
different.
There
is no right answer in creation.
Your designs, your colors, and your
beads—they are all about you.
And ONLY you. Create from your heart-
our heart is always right-no matter
how much you might want to ignore
it at times.
Read
this online at Ebay Jewelry Guides
| Handcrafted
Bracelets....Something to Cherish
|
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Handcrafted bracelets
are a piece of jewelry that is something
to cherish--and when I say handcrafted--I
mean-strung, woven, or wired BY
HAND. Sure you can be at Wal-Mart
or the latest hip store that might
be selling some beaded jewelry in
the jewelry section--but most of that
has been factory made--in a line of
assembly.
A handcrafted bracelet
is when an artisan personally picks
out the beads and colors him/herself.
And then decides on a design, stringing
material, and what kind of impression
this piece of jewelry should make.
There really is alot that goes into
the thought process.
I can tell you that
I personally create all of my bracelets....
I take a whole evening, or even days
to create a special piece. In my jewelry
box--you can expect to see that not
one design is exactly the same. I
get so many compliments on my work
that they ask me--where did you buy
that?.... (of course the ones who
know me well know that I have made
it myself, and compliment me on my
artwork)--but for those who don't
know me, they will just sigh in amazement
that it seems almost impossible to
create..
So when I say a handcrafted
bracelet is something to cherish--I
truly mean it. There is so much work
from the heart that goes into it-thats
why its so hard for a true jewelry
artisan to part with his/her jewelry--It
becomes a part of us.
--The next time you
receive a handcrafted bracelet or
any other piece of jewelry--take it
as a compliment. It means that you
are special to that person and they
wanted to find something original
and unique to give you...
A handcrafted bracelet
is....something to cherish.
Read
this online at Ebay Jewelry Guides!
