My First Pair of $300 Earrings!!!

I am SO EXCITED!  I have been so wishy-washy about the whole jewelry-making journey.  I am the type that when I decide to do something, I really DO IT!  I didn't want to spend the money if it turned out I was awful at it or that I didn't enjoy it.  What would I do with all these pliers!?  Plus, I didn't have a clue what beads or stones to buy, so I just picked a bunch of stuff off the wall that I thought was pretty.  What would I do with all of them?

When I was in my 20's and had perfect eyesight, I started cross-stitching.  I went out and bought EVERY color skein of thread there was -- a big binder that you cut the thread in 18" lengths and tied into it -- probably over 100 pamphlets/books of cross-stitch designs -- all kinds of fabric with the little squares (can't remember what it is called now) -- and anything else that seemed appropriate at the time.  I bet someone went nuts when they found ALL OF IT years later at the Salvation Army Thrift Store.  I did make a lot of cross-stitch pictures in those days.  Here are the only ones I seem to still have:

 

 

Can you tell I really like pink and blue?  Always have. 

And what does THAT have to do with $300 earrings????

Well, here's what it has to do with $300 earrings.  When I decided I was going to attempt to make jewelry, I decided I was going to need all the tools the girls were demonstrating in their video classes.  After all, how can I do what they are doing without them?

You saw yesterday my new tool bag full of pliers and wire and my bead box full of various beads.  Up to now, I have spent a little over $300 total, and as of one hour ago, I have made one pair of earrings. 

I actually am DELIGHTED that I was able to do this so quickly.  The wire wrapping technique came quite easily to me.  I am seeing already, however, that I should have bought the more expensive tools.  I had my choice of $15 pliers or $50 pliers.  Imagine what the more expensive version would have cost me?

So here they are.  The cutest earrings I have ever owned, and I am so excited that I actually made them.  Even the hooks that go in my ears. 

You can see that I didn't do a real good job of squising the wire wrap at the top of the beads, but it wasn't for lack of trying.  I guess I need ANOTHER tool!  So the goal is to make a pair of earrings -- or a necklace -- or a bracelet for every new blouse I make.  Won't that be fun?

The guys are here today tearing up my kitchen.  One cabinet is down off the wall, and the next one is not cooperating.  These guys show up at 8:30 and go to lunch at 11:00.  I asked them if they were coming back just to make sure.  They said they are.  I'll post pics tomorrow of the demolition derby.  The plumbing under the sink is all disconnected.  No water and no drains.  They BETTER get it back together soon or I may become a bit crankier than usual! 

Hugs, Joy