I Am Drowning . . .

in a sea of beads! My entire work surface is covered right now as I pull and cull, trying to make appetizing mixtures for an upcoming jewelry party. I told T-man this evening that no matter how much I make, I am still going to end up feeling like it's not enough. My biggest problem is that I don't like doing cookie cutter inventory. I really want my customers to walk away with one-of-a-kind pieces even if it's just a pair of bead-on-a-headpin-dangle earrings. Who wants to wear something that you're going to see on 100 other people? Not me! There are a few pieces that are similar but they are still different and, yes, there may be a very few that are identical. So I sift and sift, match and match, put together and take apart, looking for the unusual combos to mix up with the unusual chain, clasps, ear wires -- nothing blah here! I've been working for a couple of months now and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I am pretty darn sure it's a freight train.

Oh, and did I mention that yours truly has been *ugh* stringing?!?!? (Okay, once in blue moon won't kill me, right?)

Pictures next month -- right now I must concentrate on finding that elusive, just right, unusual color combo for a new necklace! Later, beadlings!