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I had lunch with Teresa last week, and of course we got to talking about beading. She had a great insight about beading: that it can be dangerous to begin a design from “love of the materials.”
This really hit home for me, because it’s unconsciously been my own approach to jewelry-making, and it really shows in the finished product sometimes. I always fall in love with the beads, but don’t have much idea of what to do with them.
Case in point: these beads I picked up in San Luis Obispo. I loved the green rose beads, so I grabbed some other things to go with them. And that little bag of beads has sat in my wallet ever since. The combination doesn’t really excite me now, and by the way, I never wear these colors.
What if instead I started with “I need a choker-length piece to wear with that sweater.” Methinks, a more wearable result and fewer beads sitting around.
Does this “love of the materials” approach ever bite you, too?
For this exact reason, I usually avoid walking into a yarn store without a particular project in mind. :o)
For this exact reason, I usually avoid walking into a yarn store without a particular project in mind. :o)
I have a wardrobe of hand-knit sweaters that don’t “go’ with my purchased items because i have such a love of the materials that the time and practicality of matching yarns to what i have takes away from the ‘cast-on now’ high that i so enjoy.
I have a wardrobe of hand-knit sweaters that don’t “go’ with my purchased items because i have such a love of the materials that the time and practicality of matching yarns to what i have takes away from the ‘cast-on now’ high that i so enjoy.
You are kidding, right? I thought the love of the materials was the main idea!! (of course that would explain the craft table that exploded into several rolling carts, shelves and a few assorted baskets!) :)
You are kidding, right? I thought the love of the materials was the main idea!! (of course that would explain the craft table that exploded into several rolling carts, shelves and a few assorted baskets!) :)
I have so much yarn I don’t know what to do with it all. Same with beads. Btw, those beads would make an awesome necklace. Do you not have an etsy store? If not, I’m local, I’d buy them from you.
I have so much yarn I don’t know what to do with it all. Same with beads. Btw, those beads would make an awesome necklace. Do you not have an etsy store? If not, I’m local, I’d buy them from you.
Hmmm, isn’t that why I have 30 boxes of fabric, not to mention needlework and other art and craft supplies and vintage and antique clothing and textiles that have now been moved three times in the past seven years, each time into a smaller space? Moral: RESTRAIN YOURSELF!!!
Hmmm, isn’t that why I have 30 boxes of fabric, not to mention needlework and other art and craft supplies and vintage and antique clothing and textiles that have now been moved three times in the past seven years, each time into a smaller space? Moral: RESTRAIN YOURSELF!!!
I do have a similar problem. I just went bead shopping tonight, and it was hard to stay within the project I was shopping for. I do have a lot of beads and yarn that have no purpose yet, but I am working on that.
Especially in this economy I need to work that stash!
I do have a similar problem. I just went bead shopping tonight, and it was hard to stay within the project I was shopping for. I do have a lot of beads and yarn that have no purpose yet, but I am working on that.
Especially in this economy I need to work that stash!
Not only has it bitten me, it has infected me with it’s were-bead making and vampire (needle) felting conditions. I buy the wool because it’s so soft…and then…it’s night and the needle calls to me….HOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWL!
Not only has it bitten me, it has infected me with it’s were-bead making and vampire (needle) felting conditions. I buy the wool because it’s so soft…and then…it’s night and the needle calls to me….HOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWL!
Yes. Which is why when Andrew and I moved in together and we were making space for him in my closet, he found a box of broken mirror shards that I’d been saving for … holy crap … 8 years. I’d never used one of them.
Yes. Which is why when Andrew and I moved in together and we were making space for him in my closet, he found a box of broken mirror shards that I’d been saving for … holy crap … 8 years. I’d never used one of them.
OMG, I have done this so many times. I have little bags and boxes of beads that I have fallen in love with and am stashing away.
But everyonce in a while I go through my stash and find something perfect for a new creation.
It’s a good feeling to put them to use.
OMG, I have done this so many times. I have little bags and boxes of beads that I have fallen in love with and am stashing away.
But everyonce in a while I go through my stash and find something perfect for a new creation.
It’s a good feeling to put them to use.
I do this all the time. I have a large collection of beads that haven’t been used for their planned project, and I rarely go into a bead store without spending more than I had planned. I just try to stay away from the store until I’m actually running out of something. Buying my findings online helps with that: no beads to browse.
I do this all the time. I have a large collection of beads that haven’t been used for their planned project, and I rarely go into a bead store without spending more than I had planned. I just try to stay away from the store until I’m actually running out of something. Buying my findings online helps with that: no beads to browse.
That used to happen to me all the time… now if I see a yarn that I really want to make something out of, I have a good long think about how I can make it into something that I would wear. The result has been lots of wearable items, thank goodness!
That used to happen to me all the time… now if I see a yarn that I really want to make something out of, I have a good long think about how I can make it into something that I would wear. The result has been lots of wearable items, thank goodness!
huh? What is the point if you don’t love the materials?! In the perfect world, you start out with loved materials, put them into an amazing project- which you love doing- and end up with a loved product. The problem I see when buying materials for “love”, is that they become too precious- no project is good enough for them! And if you really love them and have no project, put them in a clear container and hang them on the wall- enjoy them until the perfect project comes along. There is more then one way to love your materials :-)
huh? What is the point if you don’t love the materials?! In the perfect world, you start out with loved materials, put them into an amazing project- which you love doing- and end up with a loved product. The problem I see when buying materials for “love”, is that they become too precious- no project is good enough for them! And if you really love them and have no project, put them in a clear container and hang them on the wall- enjoy them until the perfect project comes along. There is more then one way to love your materials :-)
You’re not alone! I have so much fabric, yarn and bits of odd habadashery about my flat, and at my mums, because I’ve seen it, had to have it, and have no project to usse it in. It all sits there, waiting patiently, until the right idea comes along and it gets a chance to leap into action and be made into something wonderful. I’m now trying to operate a ‘one-in-one-out’ policy, but its not going too well….thank god I have under-bed storage, or I’d be lost!
You’re not alone! I have so much fabric, yarn and bits of odd habadashery about my flat, and at my mums, because I’ve seen it, had to have it, and have no project to usse it in. It all sits there, waiting patiently, until the right idea comes along and it gets a chance to leap into action and be made into something wonderful. I’m now trying to operate a ‘one-in-one-out’ policy, but its not going too well….thank god I have under-bed storage, or I’d be lost!
Umm, yes, this happens to me all the time. And since I am a buffet crafter, it happens with many different craft supplies.
For example, fabric. I am often drawn to cute, Japanese imports. Do I dress like a cartoon character every day? No. Okay…well that’s debatable, but not *EVERY* day. So I buy the fabric. The fabric sits…and sits…and sits…
Umm, yes, this happens to me all the time. And since I am a buffet crafter, it happens with many different craft supplies.
For example, fabric. I am often drawn to cute, Japanese imports. Do I dress like a cartoon character every day? No. Okay…well that’s debatable, but not *EVERY* day. So I buy the fabric. The fabric sits…and sits…and sits…
You couldn’t have described a fabric addict any better. We buy fabric, put it in our stash and think “what now”.
You couldn’t have described a fabric addict any better. We buy fabric, put it in our stash and think “what now”.
Yes, it’s terrible. I’ll buy a needlepoint yarn because I like the colors, which is why I have a bucket of Watercolours.
I also do this with beads, which is why I have a file box of them right now in storage. Once we move I’m going to do some serious jewelry-making to whittle it down, then no more beading for me.
I did try knitting once, but gave it up when I realized I couldn’t possibly knit fast enough to use up all the yarn I bought. Now I only buy yarn I can needlepoint with.
Of course, that hardly explains the five skeins of a white wool/angora yarn I bought on Sunday to dye, possibly for needlepoint, possibly to sell.
Keep Stitching,
Janet
Yes, it’s terrible. I’ll buy a needlepoint yarn because I like the colors, which is why I have a bucket of Watercolours.
I also do this with beads, which is why I have a file box of them right now in storage. Once we move I’m going to do some serious jewelry-making to whittle it down, then no more beading for me.
I did try knitting once, but gave it up when I realized I couldn’t possibly knit fast enough to use up all the yarn I bought. Now I only buy yarn I can needlepoint with.
Of course, that hardly explains the five skeins of a white wool/angora yarn I bought on Sunday to dye, possibly for needlepoint, possibly to sell.
Keep Stitching,
Janet
Yarn. That’s my big downfall in this area. And I even go so far as to slog through entire knitted projects (*not* a fast craft!) only to realize, “Oh, yeah… I won’t wear that.” Sigh.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one… perhaps I will remember this post next time I go for a yarn or project that I just won’t wear.
Yarn. That’s my big downfall in this area. And I even go so far as to slog through entire knitted projects (*not* a fast craft!) only to realize, “Oh, yeah… I won’t wear that.” Sigh.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one… perhaps I will remember this post next time I go for a yarn or project that I just won’t wear.
You know what? I never thought of it like that, but you are 100% correct. Not only do I do it with beads, but I do it with fabric also. Yikes!
You know what? I never thought of it like that, but you are 100% correct. Not only do I do it with beads, but I do it with fabric also. Yikes!
Ah, my entire studio is a testament to material seduction . . . and yes, it’s just about time for a good cleanout . . . but I cannot tell you how many times I’ve looked around and gone, “Oh! But that’s perfect!” and an item gets included in a project I never would have originally considered. The materials inspire me, delight me, and lead me down new paths . . .
Ah, my entire studio is a testament to material seduction . . . and yes, it’s just about time for a good cleanout . . . but I cannot tell you how many times I’ve looked around and gone, “Oh! But that’s perfect!” and an item gets included in a project I never would have originally considered. The materials inspire me, delight me, and lead me down new paths . . .
You’re not alone (so I see from all the comments *g*)! I, too, got into trouble. Setting a budget limit and shopping ONLY for a project really helped me curb my magpie hoarding tendencies. I still lust after papers, embellishments, shiny beautiful beads and findings, and lovely scrumptious fabrics and buttons! But then I remind myself that I have a lot of stuff I’ve yet to even take of their packaging or unfold and wash, so back onto the store shelf they go. My bank account thanked me tremendously!
You’re not alone (so I see from all the comments *g*)! I, too, got into trouble. Setting a budget limit and shopping ONLY for a project really helped me curb my magpie hoarding tendencies. I still lust after papers, embellishments, shiny beautiful beads and findings, and lovely scrumptious fabrics and buttons! But then I remind myself that I have a lot of stuff I’ve yet to even take of their packaging or unfold and wash, so back onto the store shelf they go. My bank account thanked me tremendously!
Well, most of the jewelry I make is one-bead or one-pendant earrings, so I have less of a problem in that arena. But like so many knitters who’ve already commented . . . this is a big problem for me with yarn.
Well, most of the jewelry I make is one-bead or one-pendant earrings, so I have less of a problem in that arena. But like so many knitters who’ve already commented . . . this is a big problem for me with yarn.
Material seduction…hmm let’s see I’m moving huge box of beads into storage that I madly love but have no idea what they will ever become. I am also a magpie hoarder but since I make altered and mixed media art boxes and books I’ve always justified my hoarding with the words I will use it someday.I’d love to hear from more mixed and altered artist on the hoarding odd items to make thincs side.
Material seduction…hmm let’s see I’m moving huge box of beads into storage that I madly love but have no idea what they will ever become. I am also a magpie hoarder but since I make altered and mixed media art boxes and books I’ve always justified my hoarding with the words I will use it someday.I’d love to hear from more mixed and altered artist on the hoarding odd items to make thincs side.
Lol. I’m just glad to see, from your entry and from the long list of comments that I’m not the only one!
And not just beads, either. Not by a long shot. I always, always think I’ll find something to do with those lovely materials. (Sometimes I do, too!)
Lol. I’m just glad to see, from your entry and from the long list of comments that I’m not the only one!
And not just beads, either. Not by a long shot. I always, always think I’ll find something to do with those lovely materials. (Sometimes I do, too!)
You just rocked my world! I am a new woman!
You just rocked my world! I am a new woman!