Day 326

What do 28 and 18 gauge brown wire and black drop beads have in common?

Another beading class courtesy of the beadclub. My sister-in-law and I took yet another wire class tonight and this one was called Berry Vines. I have one segment out of nine completed, but just honestly enjoyed a kid free evening hanging out with my partner in crime.

Day 270

This morning my beading partner in crime and I skipped church to take a jewelry class by Scott David Plumlee. The gal who owns the beadclub in Woodinville managed to get him to teach some classes over the weekend, so we jumped at this chance. Normally, Scott teaches at beading shows and the cost is significantly more. Today we learned how to use an electric screwdriver to make components of wire and beads and then used jump rings to make a chain. I always enjoy learning new techniques and how to use everyday tools in creating jewelry.

Day 130

My favorite bead store has a Mother's Day event where women, usually moms and daughters, can come in and make the bracelet the store has designed for the days event. This year, my beading partner in crime and I were given permission to do as we wanted, so off to Woodinville we went this afternoon. We (SIL & I) have somewhat of an 'in' with one of the owners as we have been going to beadclub since the doors opened and we have a lot in common including the fact that all six kiddos have been born weeks apart. The owner gave us a heads up on the indigo sapphire beads. She had made a sample bracelet with the indigo beads and then realized their stock probably wouldn't last the afternoon, so she took the bracelet apart and put another one together. I decided I would do the indigo sapphire beads in my bracelet and here is the end result.

Day 11

The completed beadclub 5th Anniversary bracelet.

Every year, my favorite bead store has a drop-in bracelet event to commemorate their anniversary. This past August was the event, but I went camping with my family in Eastern Washington hoping for camping with no rain. No luck, but that's for another day.
My sweet sister-in-law picked up the bracelet kit and instructions for me. She had left various notes about the construction of the bracelet which were very handy. Today, I finally finished working on the piece. It's not my favorite, but that's fine with me.

This was also a lesson in photographing jewelry. I played around with my camera and the various settings, but lighting was also an issue. If I had lots of extra cash, I would probably buy a better camera and all the gadgets, but I'm going to Hawaii in 14 days :)