Bookworm's Musings

Well, I've pulled out the beading kit several times this past week. Not only have I made some new earrings, but I also took apart some of my old earrings and remade them using the new techniques and some of the things that I have learned about attractive design since I first made them. I have spent close to a hundred dollars on beads and findings recently, but at least part of that was at a rummage sale, where I picked up some lovely focus beads on the cheap. Despite that, I am once again out of gold earring hooks. Either I have to go back to silver, or buy some more gold ones. Frankly, except in a few cases, I really prefer using the gold-tone findings, as it appears to lend a much more finished look. Besides, my watch and rings are all gold-tone, and this way my earrings match properly.
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And that's it for now. This upcoming week, I'm planning to get started on my summer sewing projects. First, I will read the manual for my new sewing machine. Next, I will do the mending, etc. that has piled up. Then, I have two pillow covers to make. Then, I'm making mom two flaxseed pillows. Then, a muslin pressing cloth. Then, an apron for my brother. Then, it will finally be time to make the muslin for my new skirt. I wouldn't bother, except that I'm a little concerned about the fit around the hips and waist. Finally, if all goes well, I will start on the actual skirt early next week. So expect more pictures soon.

I finally got around to pulling out my bead kit and making a pair of earrings to replace the pair that broke about a month ago. I'm really pleased with them, they look really finished. I went with gold-tone findings instead of silver this time, and I finally got the right kind of pliers for making loops, so they look pretty professional, I think. I got the idea for the flower cups from a beading book I glanced through about a week ago, and I liked the results so much that I bought some more cups today, in several different colors.
Estimated cost, not counting labor: $2.25 per pair.
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No matter how hard I try, whenever I actually buy beads, I never leave with less than $25 worth.  It's amazing how quickly those $0.05, $0.10, and $0.35 beads add up! I had only planned to pick up some more gold-tone findings and some more flower cups today, but I ended up spending about $26.00. I found some really cute green leaves that should look lovely as leaves for the flowers, and about 10 different colors of flower cups, among other things.