Back in the saddle again...

It's been an interesting journey the past 4+ years. I can say the one thing missing has been fulfilling my desire to create things with my hands. Let me re-phrase that: my desire to create the things that I WANT to make with my hands, not things that I NEEDED to create to pay my bills. Where's the inspiration in that?
I have enough dreams, desire and motivation on my own. My biggest lesson learned recently: I can't take to heart anyone else's dreams. I can't dedicate my will to something I can't "own" 100% mostly because I like to get things done, make things happen.

Diving head first into beading again has been like putting on my favorite yoga pants :-) Why did I wait so long to do this?!?!?!?!

The piece I've been working on has been fun - I'm trying to be less strict and allow myself to use as many beads as possible. It's a HEAVY one already and I havent added any fringe yet. Hopefully I can get it done today as I have three more ideas in line in my brain behind this one - mostly focusing on freeform beaded pendants on simple necklace strands.

I have been trying to re-inspire myself lately so I've gone back to view the sites from my favorite designers. Way back when, Mary Hicklin of Virgo Moon was an absolute IDOL for me. Her designs are clean and streamlined, she uses gorgeous stones and pearls and she blends freeform beading into pieces in a way that isn't intimidating. And quite honestly, I loved that her pricing was (what I would call) high. I dont think I ever saw a necklace below $200, with her more extravagant pieces over $1,000! I guess when you use quality stuff + her skilled labor, she was comfortable pricing her work at its true value. This is something I still struggle with as 20+ hours on one of my pieces is not unheard of (so if I paid myself $15 an hour, some pieces should start at $300 PLUS materials...ugh - not in Central MA)!
ANYWAY....I digress...Mary lived in an inspiring home in CA that was caught in a wildfire and destroyed in 2003. I went back yesterday and read her inspiring story about the rebuilding of her home and how she continued making jewelry through it. She really is awesome!

So, back to beading! More pics of todays progress to come!