Knitting Beading Goddess #9
OK, not really a goddess. More like a demi-god. Or perhaps one of the teeming masses or some such.
But still, yesterday, I went to AC Moore with Anne and Libby to find fisherman wool for Anne's chair. Alas, there was no fisherman's wool to be found. Nor was there any Paton's Grace. Generally, I like AC Moore. It's a step in between Michael's and your LYS. But AC Moore seems to be phasing out more and more of the good staple yarns in favor of more and more novelty yarns so everyone can make their eyelash scarves on size 13 needles. And that's fine, but do you really need Lionbrand Fun Fur, Patons Cha Cha, Bernat Boa, and the five other brands I don't remember in 12 other colors?
But then I found the bead section. I didn't know AC Moore HAD a bead section. And they had a sale. And then I bought these:
Craft pliers! The essential part of beading. Along with the beads and oter stuff. They were about $6 after my coupon, so I'm pretty sure they're the equivalent of Susan Bates needles, but I'm at the beginner level here so I can have beginner level supplies. (5 minutes into working on projects, one of the springs fell out)
Beading is a very sporadic thing. I made my graduation necklace and earring as one of my first projects.
That's hematite. I made them wandering into my school's bead/organic lotion/vintage clothing shop with a friend. I was bored and wanted something to do. I made a pair of beautiful earrings for $3. I got hooked. But it's hard to find the time when you don't have the proper tools and my local bead store won't let you use theirs during peak hours.
So, my purple necklace that my cousin made me as a Christmas present broke last August. I bought the supplies to restring it in October. I restrung it last night.
Of course, the camisole that it matched has since gone to the rag pile, but it will still work with other things.
And then I made some stitch markers.
These are so much fun and a great, quick project. They're also a fun way to use beads that you like but don't want as earrings or are too expensive to use in a necklace. The fish, the browns, and the two mismatched are the first ones I made on my own. The greens have gone to Anne as a going away present, because she heads off to Boston at the end of the week for law school. (The bitch! How dare she live her life!) Also pictured is the Altoids gum tin. It makes excellent storage.
The flowers... well... here's the thing. I really like making stitch markers. But there's only so many you need. And if I, say, put hand beaded stitch markers for sale up on the site... perhaps 5 for $10 or 6 for $12 with a buck or two for shipping... I'll show some close ups later. They're about right for between 5 - 10.5 needles. Which, when you think about it, is where the majority of knitting is done. Though I can make smaller ones (1-6 needles) and larger ones (10.5-17ish). Would you buy them? Would you love them? Would you tell your friends?
Seriously, comment about this. I'm strong considering this but I don't want to go to the trouble of making a bunch of stitch holders that no one will buy.
Next blog entry... beads meet yarn. Who wins? I do!
And... gosh darned sleeve sizing!
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