Cleaning The Clutter Out Of Your Mind

When ever I get really upset, stressed, or just plain worked up I find that the simplest tasks help to get me through the moment. I will almost immediately reach for the vacuum and let my mind roll and drift amid my sea of thoughts.

The thing for me, with cleaning and pondering, is even if I do not come to an enlightening answer for the question or problem of the moment it is just nice to let the my mind bounce around while keeping my body active doing some mundane monkey task. I guess the same could be said for those that work out. It is a therapeutic form of pondering and expelling of energy that helps to keep ones mind de-cluttered and out of the sea of insanity, plus at least at the end of my pondering session the house is clean :-)

3D Bead Craft

I have to say that this craft skill holds a great amount of excitement and curiosity for me. My interest was first piqued when my mother in law went to an art and craft fair on the island that she lives on and purchase the most beautiful and interesting bracelet for my daughter. I had never seen anything like it before and have wanted to learn how to make it and similar items ever since I first laid eyes on the piece. After scouring the web I have managed to find a few informative articles that I would like to share the links to. There seem to be a few books on the topic of which I have not yet read any, as well as what looks to be a few really good ones in French.

http://3dbeading.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/3d-beading

http://www.beadjewelrymaking.com/beaded_animal.html

http://beadbanter.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=1160;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;guest=6579443

http://www.squidoo.com/how2beadit

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/mk.perles/

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=310847.0


One article specifically was especially interesting although I had to translate the pdf as it was also in French.

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/mk.perles/paon.pdf


While these creatures and projects are beautiful and I am sure fairly simple to make once you get the hang of it one thing has stood out to me the most in all of the articles and instructions on how to make them and that is just an overall lack of detailed specific instructions. Each set seems to have a lack of the most basic instruction of tieing the project off. Maybe you are supposed to already know or at least that is what they expect. I don't really know although I find it quite frustrating to say the least.

Starting Wire Jewelry Making Book

Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry; By: Linda Jones
This is an excellent book for those just getting started in the wire jewelry craft. It includes a great list of starter supplies and overall tools, wonderful instructions and illustrations on use and basic techniques, as well as some fun and simple project ideas.

Bead Projects Books

Getting Started With Seed Beads; By: Dustin Wedekind
This is a good book that illustrates the different stitching patterns as well as some very fun, simple, and interesting projects to follow.
I have chosen to do, what appeared to me to be, one of the most simple projects outlined in this book.

Best Bead Books for Getting Started Beading

While my first love and study is of fine art painting I must be clear that I enjoy all arts, crafts, and similar hobbies. Growing up I enjoyed a vast spectrum of arts and crafts projects. As a young teenager I loved to make beaded jewelry even though I had no real knowledge of the techniques and materials used I loved the glitz of the beads and would muddle my way through what ever project I had come up with at the moment.
My sister recently sent me a beautiful beaded bracelet that has spawned my renewed interest in the art of beads and jewelry making
I have not made anything as of yet as I have been reading internet articles and books on the topic. I would like to take this opportunity to start an informative resource on the subject, of must read books and articles to get anyone started off on the right foot.

Getting Started Stringing Beads; By: Jean Campbell
This is my number one choice for anyone just getting started in the bead and jewelry making world. She gives an excellent description of all of the different tools and material and all of their uses. An absolute must have.

The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques; By Sara Withers & Stephanie Burnham
This is another great book that gives good descriptions of the different tools and materials and their uses as well as a vast array of techniques accompanied by excellent photo documentation that you just cannot beat.

Missed Thoughts

It seems that when ever I am driving down the road I tend to have the most creative, and in my opinion, rather philosophical thoughts. I will then consciously note that it would be a lovely and worthwhile topic to blog about upon my return home; or where ever my computer happens to be at the moment. I go about my daily grind and when I do finally sit down it is only to find that what ever grand idea or thought that I had earlier has fled my mind. A creative moment passed, a thought fled, an opportunity missed.....blah blah blah left in its place.............what a disappoint.

Comcast Cable Rate Hike

Well..... close to the start of the new year the local cable company (Comcast) announced a rate increase of almost 30%. Yes, you read that correctly that was 30% my friends and the service has remained exactly the same. So, in the midst of company layoffs and this wonderful volatile economy, instead of at least keeping the rates and service the same for their customers, or offering a little more competitive rate to garner new customers someone at their round table came up with the brilliant idea of INCREASING their current rates for their spotty service 30%. Why improve your service and get creative to bring in new customers when you need additional sales when you can high jack your current customers and poof it is like you have brought in an additional 30% in sales. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comcast you now get 2 thumbs AND 2 toes down!