I Blame It On Beading

... my pain, that is. It's my shoulders, my neck, and my poor, poor fingers; stiff and swollen after two entire days of beading. I also blame it on me for not stopping myself, but mostly on Marcia, aka Beading Guru and Friend-who's-teaching-me-beading. It started with our recent Girl's Weekend Retreat where we were to be knitting and beading both. Both. That means switching off. Well, did it happen? No, it did not. Not really. There were a few token knitting attempts. But it was the beading that stole the show. That's when the hurt began to set in.

Marcia just shows up with these INCREDIBLE IRRESISTIBLE beaded items she makes. That's when the ogling and eye-popping begin. Then we move into the questioning phase; Can WE make THAT? and, WE HAVE to have THAT! and finally, Will YOU show US how? (How can she resist us?!) What she has, we all want. It's that simple. She's our Guru. Our Beading Guru, and she's taking us places we never dreamed we'd ever go.

We are making Under The Mast. Guess what? It's new, not even in her brand new book. We were guinea pigs for Marcia that weekend, so she could work out the kinks of teaching this project for an upcoming class. I am so happy to say that I am NEARLY DONE with this gorgeous necklace. I can't wait to wear it. Besides that, I have been making a modified project from the book, Teracita Earrings. These are the items that have stiffened my poor fingers, because I'm making them in every colorway from my stash possible. I cannot stop myself, I'm possessed by the beads... sigh.

Lastly, along with everything else, I am beading felt. The felt is being shaped, and embellished with beads. Did I mention that felting is my one true love (practically!). Well, the beads are making a stand, and it's not pretty...

Okay, well, yes it is. Very pretty, and I like it. Come see me at the Mission Hills Preschool Craft Fair on Saturday morning, Oct. 17 from 9am -12 noon. I will have these lovelies for show and sale. If you like them, do get them now. I have promised myself I WILL NOT be a beader, and I WILL NOT be a jewelry maker. However, as a Felter, I will sometimes allow myself a foray into the jewelry world, but I promise you, it's NOT FOR LONG!

Happy beading! And as far as for me... wish me happy kneading out the kinks from my shoulders and back...