A Twist on DNA

I'll try anything once when it comes to learning to make jewelry. Having too many skills when it comes to jewelry making falls in the same category for me as having too many beads...there's never enough!

Every third Saturday of the month, I hold a jewelry making meet up meeting here in Richmond, where a group of interested jewelry makers get together to learn new techniques through classes or from one another. We share ideas, help one another and have great fun.

Well for today's meeting, one of our members taught the DNA Spiral Bracelet technique. Now, as you already know, I'm not a fan of anything too intricate that takes too long..chain maille ringing any bells? But I'll do anything with these women to support the group, and so it began at 2:00 pm, this day, the 16th of April, 2009, Dee learned to make her first beaded jewelry design, and here is about how it went.

After pulling out about 6 arms length of thread (yes thread), I had to untangle my mess. Then after about 8 tries, I finally got the needle (yes needle) threaded. Then it was time to start. I was only as far as step 2 when I already needed help... I had another knot! After Tracy, the instructor for the day, got me all untangled and back on track, it was time to move on. By step 3, I was stuck again, because I missed these directions, trying to get untangled by myself from step 2, so Tracy had to stop again to get me all caught up. My friends... I hope you have a very clear picture by now of how this class went for me, I would really hate to go any further with the details! By now, we're all laughing really hard because, I'm the one who's usually helping others in these meetings. Needless to say, I got less than half way through in 2 hours time(above picture). But I learned an important lesson. I can make beaded jewelry but IT is NOT for me!

There are some talented artists out there who make stunning beaded jewelry and art, and I admire their talent, patience and skills, but this is one project that I probably won't be taking on again. I do however, promise Tracy and the group, that I'll be completing my bracelet by next Month, because if I don't, I'll never live it down!

Because my project doesn't do the art justice, here's a beaded necklace by a fellow jewelry maker over at Blue Bonnet Jewelry Designs , Yvonne's work is absolutely beautiful! You can also follow her on her blog.Unveiling and still a tangled mess,
Dee