Beading Class.
Granted, we were the youngest people in there by a factor of several decades, but it wasn’t a problem.We grabbed our sterling silver wire, cut the string on the beads we chose, and settled in for our beading class. “Cut the beads loose on the string and we’ll begin working with the wire.” The instructor said, a young and fashionable lady of about 35, sporting a few impressive pieces that I’m sure she brilliantly crafted up herself. Of course, I snipped the string and watched as a few beads flung themselves off the side of the table and rocketed to the floor with a clatter. “Sorry…” I mumbled as the bevy of old biddies twittered at me. I have never taken a beading class before, but it was really cool. We used those fancy little wire tools and forced the sterling silver wire to bend to our will. (Note: Batman was whining about the fact that her fingertips ached from pressing against the wire. I, however, had two decades of diabetes on my side and the scar tissue pads on the tops of my fingers made the wire bending a breeze. Kerri: 1, Diabetes: 0) The best part was using the stone and the little hammer to beat the crap out of the metal to assist it in keeping shape. Pain in the arse cat. Not sure what kind of class to take next - any suggestions?
Comments
What about pottery? Useful skill. You could make something to store used syringes in. ;)
Posted by: Lucas | January 30, 2007 08:34 PM
Wow! Where did you take that class at? Looks like so much fun!
Posted by: Sara | January 30, 2007 08:52 PM
Cats! Can't live with them, can't live without them.
Definitely have seen an easier time with certain tasks because of the calluses forming on my fingertips. Including continued nail biting. Sigh.
Posted by: Rachel | January 30, 2007 08:57 PM
I agree, try pottery!!!
Posted by: Drea | January 30, 2007 09:02 PM
What about knitting?
Fun way to keep your hands busy and pretty easy to learn the basics.
Plus, Siah can join in the fun and steal your yarn.
Posted by: Em | January 30, 2007 10:30 PM
So D makes us born beaders due to our tough fingertops. Another D advantage! Pretty jewelry!
Posted by: Chrissie in BElgium | January 31, 2007 04:35 AM
You're brave to go for beading after what happened with the glitter!
I've always wanted to try my hand at painting. My mom took a stained glass class and made a beatiful lamp shade for me...it's right here on the desk by the computer (on a lamp base of course).
Pottery is a great option too.
Posted by: Shannon | January 31, 2007 08:52 AM
I think I have to officially "delurk" to this post. I am 28 and was diagnosed 2 years ago. D actually was the reason that I started beading. I try my best to be somewhat fashionable, so when I was diagnosed I was immediately drawn to the fancy beaded medical ID's with the interchangeable bracelets. However, those things are not cheap, so I decided to learn how to bead and now I have about 4 or 5 that I have made on my own. I've been reading your blog since almost right after I was diagnosed and it really helps me to stay positive and feel less isolated, so thanks!
Posted by: liz | January 31, 2007 09:02 AM
Em - My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 13, so I've been doing that for the last fifteen years. (Whoa.) I could never get knitting down - something about going from one needle to two had me all tangled up and dropping stitches like crazy!
Sara - I took the class a a beading store in RI last weekend. If my friend Batman is reading this, maybe she'll leave a comment with the store name because I can't remember it for the life of me.
Shannon - You don't have the lampshade on your head? ;)
Lucas and Drea - Painting or pottery would be awesome. Maybe I'll look into that for my next project!
Chrissie - Our tough fingertips give us all the power!!
Rachel - That damn cat doesn't leave well enough alone. She doesn't leave anything alone! Last night, she stole some papers off of Chris's desk and chewed on them. It's like having a dog.
Posted by: Kerri. | January 31, 2007 09:03 AM
Hi Liz! You must have been commenting while I was commenting. I love the idea of making my own medical jewelry. That's sort of why I wanted to take the class in the first place. I have a bracelet I bought from Creative Medical ID but I want to take a shot at making my own. I'd love to see what you've made - if you want, email some pictures!
And I'm glad you delurked. Thanks for reading. :)
Posted by: Kerri. | January 31, 2007 09:05 AM
Ballroom dancing. That's what I've ALWAYS wanted to learn. A few adjustments on the ol' pump and it can be done. If not, maybe...woodworking or small engine repair? :-)
Posted by: Dee | January 31, 2007 09:28 AM
Those are very pretty. I hope you've found the ones the cat filched!
My sister took pottery classes and made me a gorgeous wine chalice for Christmas. I don't have a creative bone in my body and I am the Queen of Klutz, so the thought of doing pottery or anything crafty scares me. I'll probably blind someone or burn the building down. Or something.
Posted by: julia | January 31, 2007 01:07 PM
Ahh classes. I love them and am absolutely addicted to them!
Pottery: worthwhile experience and I made myself and my friends some very hideous kitchen knicknacks: spoon rests, wind chimes, unmatched wine chalices. The only thing that really turned out was the cat's dish!
Stained glass: Loved this one and the pieces actually turned out very nicely too!
Cooking: Fun and useful. There is definite danger in the snacking and tasting part though.
Knitting: This has been the hip thing to do for a while, but unless the market for really long skinny scarves dries up, this is not the craft for me.
Yoga, Pilates, Belly-dancing, Hip-Hop (ha!), Step Pump, Running Club (half-marathon) and various other fitness classes: Love them all - variety is the spice of life! I especially loved the belly-dancing class which surprised me. I highly recommend it!
Life-long learning is the key to long life!
Posted by: Christine | January 31, 2007 07:06 PM
Kerri,
I would love to teach you to knit anytime. It's so wonderfully relaxing, you'd love it. Although belly dancing does sound very fun...perhaps our significant others wou;d enjoy that more!
Posted by: LeeAnn | February 1, 2007 10:34 PM
Hey Kerri - Sorry I am a bit behind on reading the blog. the Store is called Bead and Wire - here is the website
http://www.beadandwire.com
Cheers!
Batman
Posted by: Batman | February 3, 2007 09:23 PM
What about painting on pottery? There are tons of stores around here, anyhow, that offer all kinds of plates, mugs, frames, vases, etc that you can paint. You can even do multiple firings if you want to get really fancy on your painting....We had my DD's birthday party in a bead store last year, and she loved it. Been trying to get back to make her some medical-alert bands for her bracelet and haven't yet; you've inspired me again to get with it! You made some pretty things; hope you rescued them from the cat. :)
Posted by: Anonymous | February 3, 2007 10:16 PM