(no subject)
I haven't written anything of substance in quite awhile. I can't guarantee this will be of substance, either, but I'm going to write for awhile anyway.
I had my birthday a few days ago, and I appreciated many of the gifts and wishes. All in all, I have hauled an awesome dinner, a nice lunch, some beads, a book on kumihimo, some macrame cord, a book on macrame, a candle set, a gift certificate to Bella Beads, a shirt embroidered with the words "Enchanted Visions," a dish scrubby, a spider decoration with magnetic legs, and several books by authors I haven't read yet.
Of these things, I liked Rachel's present the best: some beads, the macrame cord, and the book on kumihimo. This is because this is really the first time she has really thought about what someone would like in terms of a gift and purchased based on that. She used some of her own money, and my grandma covered the rest of the somewhat large total. I really liked the things she got me, she was very excited, and I was highly impressed by her consideration.
Ira and Barbara went to China last month, and they brought me back some beads (per my request). If I would have known what it entailed, I may not have asked. Apparently, bartering is how you go about things if you wish to purchase things where they went. They brought me back maybe 20 beads or so - and some very interesting ones, at that - but their guide and friend had to barter for every single bead. I found this especially intriguing, as Ira said the quiet woman argued as if she was trying to save her first born child - on each thing! He also said this was a common way for women to barter there.
Mostly, I have been working and beading. For those of you who don't know, I have been working as a "bead fairy" - I have been testing patterns. This is a pretty good deal, as I pay shipping on the beads, but I am given my pattern and the beads. I keep the piece and send my bead fairy godmother a picture of my completed work. I have completed 5 pieces and made amulet bags: 2 ladybugs, a deal, a woman dancing, and a cheetah. The cheetah is my favorite. I recently have tried a lion, but it was a bad pattern.
I have also started working with a technique called Micro Macrame. I have been enjoying it, although it was my first introduction to macrame. I have also been teaching myself Kumihimo (mentioned above), a Japanese braiding technique.
Well, that's all I have to say for now. I have much I wish to do today. I hope everything is well with all of you.
I had my birthday a few days ago, and I appreciated many of the gifts and wishes. All in all, I have hauled an awesome dinner, a nice lunch, some beads, a book on kumihimo, some macrame cord, a book on macrame, a candle set, a gift certificate to Bella Beads, a shirt embroidered with the words "Enchanted Visions," a dish scrubby, a spider decoration with magnetic legs, and several books by authors I haven't read yet.
Of these things, I liked Rachel's present the best: some beads, the macrame cord, and the book on kumihimo. This is because this is really the first time she has really thought about what someone would like in terms of a gift and purchased based on that. She used some of her own money, and my grandma covered the rest of the somewhat large total. I really liked the things she got me, she was very excited, and I was highly impressed by her consideration.
Ira and Barbara went to China last month, and they brought me back some beads (per my request). If I would have known what it entailed, I may not have asked. Apparently, bartering is how you go about things if you wish to purchase things where they went. They brought me back maybe 20 beads or so - and some very interesting ones, at that - but their guide and friend had to barter for every single bead. I found this especially intriguing, as Ira said the quiet woman argued as if she was trying to save her first born child - on each thing! He also said this was a common way for women to barter there.
Mostly, I have been working and beading. For those of you who don't know, I have been working as a "bead fairy" - I have been testing patterns. This is a pretty good deal, as I pay shipping on the beads, but I am given my pattern and the beads. I keep the piece and send my bead fairy godmother a picture of my completed work. I have completed 5 pieces and made amulet bags: 2 ladybugs, a deal, a woman dancing, and a cheetah. The cheetah is my favorite. I recently have tried a lion, but it was a bad pattern.
I have also started working with a technique called Micro Macrame. I have been enjoying it, although it was my first introduction to macrame. I have also been teaching myself Kumihimo (mentioned above), a Japanese braiding technique.
Well, that's all I have to say for now. I have much I wish to do today. I hope everything is well with all of you.