In January I went to the Craft Super Show in Anaheim, California and had an amazing experience. At first thought I was disappointed there wasn’t more “scrapbooking” to do there… but really, do I need to make ANOTHER card I don’t love, or an altered picture frame that’s too country for my modern home… not really… so I started to explore all the other crafts available at the show. I fell back in love with sewing… ok I don’t know if I was ever “in love” with sewing, but I loved tinkering around with my JCPenny Special machine that I got when I was probably 8 o r 9. I also had a chance to try beading. I have always wanted to learn how to do this hobby. I’m fascinated with the pretty beads and charms, and love the look of chunky necklaces. I have a metal allergy, so being able to make myself jewelry out of materials I can wear, and to be able to change things up and match my wardrobe, I was excited. My first stop was a booth to make a pair of earrings with the Crystazzi Crystals, they are so sparkly who could pass them up. At this booth I learned a simple technique that I would take home with me… making a simple loop. The concept seems easy, just take some wire and bend it into a loop at the end of the bead… although its not that hard, there is just a little trick to making them look pretty. So with my knowledge I had my earrings and continued exploring the show. At the Hancock Fabric booth, I was treated to making a bracelet, where I was able to use that “simple loop” I learned and perfect it by the end of the bracelet, and the fire for beading was lit. Since January I have been making necklaces, and bracelets… and this weekend I made some fabulous charms. These charms are for a swap I am participating  in at Reflections in just a few weeks. I was excited to participate in this swap, I have never done one with charms before. I was able to use my simple loop technique, as well pulling out some old scrapbook techniques to make this fun charm. I’m exciting at taking my new beading hobby and working it into my scrapbook pages. I already have a fun idea for a greeting card… I will be sure to share my beading journey as it happens.

~~Thanks for looking