Dreaming of tango...

I don't know if I've already told you, but I am quite a passionate tango dancer. At least, I used to be... last years of my life kept me far away from my dance love. We'll see if the future will bring us more time to go back on that lost love, or not, but, until then, I keep dreaming of milonga's (for those unfamiliar with the term, that is the tango music party, where all friends and dancers gather and share their love and joy in the dance).

My daydreaming had also a positive outcome: even if I can't be on the track anymore, maybe my earring can?

So, here you have them: the first in the "Dreaming of Tango" series (yes, I plan to make more).

Enjoy!

Deep space nine ...

... or me just continuing exploring far away lands of jewelry making.

I have to admit: I like to play, and this time, I have a lot of new toys suddenly at my disposal.

Hence, I keep on playing and making these things, that just keep flowing.

Here, take a look!

These two were made to complete the previous post necklaces...
Then, I got a new idea! hanging stones on some wire... So, tried that out.

The shape was promising, so I had to try it again, with a little variation.

Then, I felt the urge of making something green... And I don't even like green!

Enough green! Time for some purple now!

 Worse part is that I just end one and the next one is already a work-in-progress... I already dream of red and black, of more purple, of gray silver and red..... and I can keep on going :))))

It cannot be two without three (old romanian saying)

...which means that if it happened twice, it will happen the third time as well.
Therefore, admire the third series :))))

Now, my only concern is: will I stop? But then, again, why should I?  :))))

It's growing and I can't help it :)

Help! I'm being taken over by a bead manic!!!!!

Look, there is proof:

I can't stop making these things, and I'm enjoying it tremendously!
I think I need professional help :))))

Spring is coming. Finally!

Wondering where I've been? Not far, just here, around the corner, busy doing this doing that, you know, small life things.

But there is one thing I would like to share from my recent activities.

I've been following a course. A jewelry making course, to be more precise.

So, here I give you the results of my first three lessons:

Lesson number one: learning how to make rounded ends and attach them to each other.

Lesson number two: using silicone-wrapped wire and stops.

Lesson number three: more silicone wire and more beads.

Now, there are three more lessons to go, and I do expect them eagerly :))).

But wait, that is not quite all ;). Wonder why I've got this sudden passion? well... I've discovered (duh!) that I can make my own jewelry. And that there is a name for a style that I love since I first loved a piece of jewelry.

The name is "steampunk". It's a combination between pearls, lace, leather, mechanical parts, brass elements and all a strange, SF, old and new mixture at the same time. A lot to talk about, but not now.

Therefore, armed with my first three lessons, I've proceeded creating my very first steampunk piece for personal use.

Behold, admire! Be dazzled by my glorious creation :)))))

Very proud of myself, can you tell that? :)))))

Oh, this is the lady teaching the jewelry course: Ruxandra.Thank you, Ruxandra!

Later edit: couldn't help it. All this talking about jewelry made me go back to my working table. These are the results :D

Thinking...

I was just editing my "wish list", how I like to call the list on the right side that is called WIP, and it's got me thinking. It is not a list with things that are really on-going on my desktop, but things that I would very much like to make.

OK, I'll admit, some are on my tables, in different stages, but some are just ideas. And, because I didn't get as organized as to have a folder/map/notebook/something with ideas, I'm using my side bar to keep track of beautiful things I would like to see coming out of my hands one day or another.

Now, that I'm writing this, at least three more projects are crossing my mind as being forgotten from the list.

Well, this drives me to some conclusions:

- I have to set a up a map/folder/notebook where I could put my inspirations/ideas/would-do things.

- I have to get a little bit more organized: ideas are crossing my mind, but they are quickly flying away, and when I remember, is already one year later. I think I'm getting pressed by the time :)

- I have to struggle more to really finish things. I've noticed that deadlines I can usually meet, even if that means I'm sewing till 6 o'clock in the morning of the day when I should deliver ;). So I guess it would be an idea to set up dead-lines: if you don't make this by then, then you have to let it go. But, on the other hand, isn't that a bit harsh??? On myself?

One friend (OK, Murphy too) said that conclusions are the places where you stopped because you got tired of thinking, but, in this particular case, I think it's a bit different. I was looking for conclusions, because I'm tired of doing things always in the last 5 minutes, because I'm upset of always missing something, because I just want my hobby to grow as a hobby and not as a pain in the ass :). (sorry for the word pain :P). I needed some points to relate to, some milestones to walk further, a line to draw between what it has been and what it will become.

I've been reading a lot lately. A lot of blogs. A lot of ideas. She wrote a bullet list, which I found very useful and pertinent. Someone else said other interesting things. She recovered from "I-just-want-to-quilt-I'm-quitting-the blog-thing", coming back and having fun again. There is more, but these are just the most striking things that stayed in my memory (I told you I need a notebook :D).

The final impression I have now is that one can have fun and do what she likes. As long as it doesn't transform into a "Friday 13" type of nightmare :)))).

The reason I'm sharing all this? No reason, just using my blog the right way: as means to share my personal crafty part of life. This is not a shop, it will never be. I think I'm not good at sales, and I definitely don't want to get annoyed by all the mechanics behind a shop. I want to sew nice warm colors, I want to live my dreams, I want to fly on my clouds, be happy with my loved ones, grow old and wise :P.

Thank you for reading this loooong self-exposing post.

Aaaahhhh, almost forgot!!!! I also have some news for my Bucharest friends: my (surprise) bags are to be found also in a real shop now: Hippie Hippie Shake, in Hanul cu Tei. Open even Sundays between 11:00 and 17:00 hrs.
These are some:

Honey, I'm hoooomeeeee!

Ski holiday is over. No broken bones, just some bruises :))). Beside that, we're all safe and sound back at home.

From the planned work I took with me, I managed to embellish just a part. About 3 and 1/2 bags. And two raggedy fluffy scarfs from a special yarn (Katia Triana). One is already confiscated and worn proudly all day-all night long, no matter to which event. The other is hanging in my closet, off course, the red one ;).

Alright, enough mumbling, let me show you some pictures.