No knitting...lots of jewelry...

Well, not really. I have been knitting and even took photos. I downloaded a couple along with the shots of jewelry. And for some reason(weird cyberspace hoo-doo or totally airheaded mistake), I cannot find the knitting stuff. So, I give to you the wire and bead things I have created in the last week.

This is how I make the jumprings for chains and connecting pieces. It's actually fun to make the sterling coils and cut them into the rings. Here I have used 18 gauge sterling wire. And I'm learning to create my own closures.



By learning this simple technique, I have discovered that I can create my own chains. The flat coils are something I did by using an anvil and chasing hammer. The next step is to learn to solder the rings closed...which involves a torch. Which I'm a bit intimidated by...fire and me? A bit scary!



I made another flower pendant...this time with jasper and pearls. I like this design. Someone actually offered me money for the carnelian pendant. Except I have absolutely no idea what to charge for these things. Have you ever sold any of your own creations? As flattering as this is for me, I can't imagine ever accepting cash for something I've made...I'd gift it before anything else.



These earrings were inspired by the view from our home(there's a saying here, "Lucky you live Hawaii!")...



And I love the honey color of these drops...



So...back to the knitting. I am still working on the Bias shrug from the current IK and have started the Lucky Clover Wrap for the KAL that Lolly is hosting. I have to admit I love knitting with Rowan even if I'll be frogging for the third time tonight. It's like the difference between Hershey's and Godiva...I love chocolate and I will eat Hershey's, but whenever possible a bit of the fancy stuff is wonderful.

Speaking of IK, I just saw this and now I must have it! I know I already have a gazillion things going on! Some of you know how it is. And I envy those of you that are monogamous to one project at a time. How do you do it? Such strength and willpower I can only dream of...

Oh well, I am on vacation until April 2nd. Maybe I will finish the shrug?

Yarn, beads, wire, and books...

Oh, my! It's been a super busy week. Besides work, my creative energy has been in overdrive. I made some progress on my Bias Shrug...



There were a couple of hairy moments where I thought I might have to frog the thing and start over, but I think they are minor enough for me to ignore. See..if I don't mention them here, no one will notice(yeah, right!).

And I've had a surge of inspiration and ideas with my bead and wire jewelry. The following project is from the Interweave folks. I am beading the Sacred Healing Bag. This is my first attempt at the peyote stitch and despite the itty-bitty size of the seed beads, I've managed to enjoy learning something new. The instructions are pretty clear and I only had to undo my stitches once.




I don't remember where I first saw the following project. But a trip to a nearby bead store gave me tons of ideas and I fell in love with these carnelian beads.



I found some beautiful freshwater pearls for the center and picked up some 24 gauge sterling silver wire. The original project calls for teardrop shaped, side-drilled beads which lays nicely while wire-wrapping. I had a bit of difficulty keeping the round beads from moving around while maneuvering the wire. But I really love the end results. I'm looking forward to creating more jewelry.

I also went on a book buying binge! There is a knitting book in that pile...



Knitting for Anarchists by Anna Zilboorg. A passage that really prompted me to think more about how and why I knit is this...

"If we take control of our knitting and do with it what we like, we have nothing to lose but our chains and we have a world to gain."

I have a tremendous desire to create. Whether it be knitting or beading or something as simple as a meal for my family, I derive a deep satisfaction from these activities. I believe it is that age-old adage that such activities connect us with our history and to the spiritual cloth of being on this planet. When we create something, we are offering up to the world a part of ourselves. We are saying, "Look this is me...can you relate to it?" I realize this has all been said before but sometimes it helps me to regain my center after a stressful period to remember why I value creativity.

I am waiting on my yarn for the Lucky Clover KAL. I ordered ten skeins of Rowan yarn in black from Janette's Rare Yarns on eBay. I'm a bit excited because this is my first Rowan purchase. Is Rowan as great as I've been reading? Will I fall in love with their yarn? Stay tuned...

Progress report...

Quick progress report on the IK Bias Shrug before I start a busy work week...



I just finished the third pattern repeat(correct terminology?) of the first sleeve. Ten more to go before I start on the increases. This shrug is moving along quicker than most other projects I've worked on. Maybe it's because I am really enjoying having to use a chart. Is that strange? It's very straightforward and much easier to see where I am going with the pattern. What with all those symbols and graphs, it's more like a map(I love cartography). There weren't many patterns in the latest IK that caught my eye. Besides the shrug, I like the Bi-Color Brioche and Cable-Eight Top.

I will be working through next Tuesday with two huge projects due(aargh!). Hopefully, I'll have at least one sleeve done by then...

Here is a treat my mother gave me today. There is only one location in Honolulu to purchase these. I hear the lines are frighteningly long...



Mmmm...but so worth it!



Have a great week everyone!