Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Beads! Glorious Beads!

I've been going through my old columns from the paper I wrote for and thought I'd share one here:

By Caryl
11.14.05

Hi, my name is Caryl and I'm a beadaholic.

It all started out innocently enough. I was visiting my sister and her family, looking forward to helping with my niece's slumber party. "What can I do?" I offered. I was handed a big bowl of assorted beads and asked to pick out the tiny pins that had somehow gotten mixed in.

And so it began. Little did I know that simple task would develop into an obsession. Beads! Glorious beads!

As I sat that night, scooping up handfuls of the tiny, colorful spheres, noticing the way some caught the light and how various shades of color worked together, it became almost hypnotic. I separated out the pins, but found myself putting aside favorite beads as well, wondering what I could make with them.

When I finally looked up, the girls were asleep all around me in their sleeping bags and my sister was cleaning the kitchen. Oh, Devil Beads! I had been lured away by their beauty and I was theirs.

Back home, I began visiting craft stores, comparing prices and learning about jewelry making. I scored some exceptional supplies online. As I got deeper into the process of stringing and gluing, wayward beads showed up in my car, between the cushions of the couch and in my husband's lunch. The carpets had to be inspected before I vacuumed to prevent sucking up one of my precious little beauties.

Finally I had a thought that maybe I could sell some of this stuff. I was making more bracelets, earrings, necklaces, key chains, ornaments and beaded dog bowls than I could use in my lifetime. So, I took a deep breath and signed up for my church's annual Arts and Crafts Bazaar.

I must admit I'm a little scared. This is no rummage sale. The New Hope Bazaar has vendors who do this kind of thing for a living. I don't want to become a laughing stock at the next bell choir rehearsal. Despite my worries, I'm plodding on. It's something me and my beads have got to do.

So now that I've made this leap from closet beader to entrepreneur, I need a name. No biggie, I'm a writer, after all. I closed my eyes and allowed years of word play to fly into action!

I mulled over the words that describe what I'll be selling and tried a little word-play. "Caryl's Crafts", "One Crafty Mother," "Bling", "Bling Yourself," "Beads, Beading, Beadier," "Beader's Digest", "Bead My Love", "Refried Beads". Wait. What?

Not as easy as I thought it would be. So here I am, days away from the big bazaar and still no name. I'll think of something, but in the meantime I'm beading for my life. It's all I can think of as I rush to be ready.

The other day my son asked what was for dinner as I slid a soccer ball bead onto the black imitation leather cording I pinched in my fingers. I answered, "Franks and beads." Maybe I should look for a twelve-step program.

5 comments:

jerseyirish said...

Caryl, Cute article. You are a gifted writer. Last year when we were on vacation a new beading shop had opened. I was amazed at what they could do with the beads. After many stops in the owner said let me make you something. I had been looking for a bracelet to go with one hubby had bought me and she made me one, it is so pretty, wear it all the time. Going down this weekend to open hubby's sisters boat, not sure if the shop will be open yet or not, but I will be stopping back, maybe earrings this time out!!!


JI

caryl said...

My sister married a man who is boat-happy. He has about six small boats, but his 'baby' is a big sailboat. It's a big deal when they put it back in the water every year. Is that the kind of thing you're doing?

jerseyirish said...

Caryl, No their boat is a 43foot cabin Cruiser, her condo on water. It has two bedrooms, complete kitchen, bathroom with washer and dryer. The livingroom has two pull-outs and on the deck she could sleep a few more. Although her and her hubby pay a service to clean the boat after it is back in the water, she is not happy unless we give it a once over ourselves, so we stay in a hotel this weekend. The next time down we will stay on the boat. Its just nice to get away for a couple of days!!!


JI

caryl said...

Wow!! It sounds huge.

Sunny said...

Back when I was still pursuing higher education I operated a sand art booth. It was kid related, I did all sorts of school fairs, donating part of the proceeds to the schools, did art festivals. It was lots of fun and lucrative. Well at least until other folks started doing it as well and we'd have multiple booths in one show.

I also made art from it, sand candles, scene art bottles etc. My oh so stunning name? The Sand Rainbow. ha.