Gem Stoned
I think I’m in trouble. Remember that woman on Oprah’s debt diet episode who spent all her money on crafts? Well, before I went on vacation in December I spent a few hundred dollars on a bunch of beads — gold vermeil Bali beads, petal pearls, garnets, tourmalines and so on — with the thought that I’d have some downtime during my travels to make some jewelry. So I packed my bag of pliers and three mini plastic tackle boxes of beads and lugged them 8,000 miles to Vietnam and back, and each time I had to repack and check my bags for an internal flight, I cursed my ridiculous underestimation of the combined powers of jetlag, vacation daze and too many tourist activities.
So after my beads racked up some 16,000 miles, they’ve been sitting in my living room in a big clear plastic bin I got from the Container Store. Haven’t used a single briolette, Bali bead or crimp since — not a one!
And that’s not even the trouble I’m talking about. I’ve just found out that one of my cousins owns a bead store. (Both my parents come from huge families — I haven’t met half my relatives, hence my being so late to the party.) And now I’m dreaming up all sorts of bead “needs” that she is all too happy to encourage. Suddenly I have a new co-conspirator, and this one comes with wholesale contacts. It’s like the best and worst thing that could ever happen to me. I’m thisclose to asking her to tell her sister (who’s on vacation in India . . . with some gem-procurement on her itinerary) to buy me some honking huge rubies. For what, I have no idea! It’s like I’m mesmerized by the flash of the gems. I’m starting to make plans to take a one-week intensive course in metalsmithing this summer. Did I mention that I haven’t worn half the stuff I’ve made? Help! I think someone needs to revoke my license to bead!
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March 3rd, 2006 10:56
OMG, I am SO JEALOUS!!!! Don’t expect any help here. I can read about your shoe and bag adventures and enjoy them, knowing it’s not the sort of thing that’s ever going to happen in my life (I so do not have a Fendi or Manolo budget), but this …!
Don’t even get me started on desperately wanting someone to bring back a few bolts of fabric, since India has, IMO, the most beautiful fabrics in the world, ranging from gossamer cottons to dazzling gold-woven brocades. (Yes, I am a Fabric Junkie: I’ll Buy A Bolt Of That, Please.) But the beads!!
Yes, I too bead. I too have picked up a silver pendant set with rubies which is the size of a frisbee (and now I need earrings to go with it). I too pick up pearls by the bushel (well, by the cupful; I’m working my way up to bushel) - in fact, right now I’m wearing a pearl necklace with an amethyst clasp which I made myself. I lugged a surprisingly hefty suitcase on a trip with my sweetheart (observation: it’s like carrying a box of rocks! Because it is a box of rocks! (Since he had classes, I did actually churn out several pieces and work on a dinosaur quilt). And at the end of March (24,25,26), at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Intergem is having its International Gem & Jewelry Show (30-70% off retail prices for beads, supplies, estate pieces, you name it). And of course, although I have bunches of stones, there’s always something else I wind up needing in order to finish a project. I may have rose quartz, but I need some gold rondelles. I may have pearls, but I need faceted 8mm garnets. I have beads, but I need findings. I would love to get some huge honkin’ ruby beads. I would prefer faceted, but round would be fine, too. I need to get a bunch of pearls, too: I want a pair of bracelets, 6 strands of 8mm or better (because if I don’t wear them as bracelets, I can fasten them to each other as a necklace).
Now you’ve done it. I’m. So. Jealous.
(Jealousy is an ugly thing, so I’m struggling hard to rein it in to Wistful.)
March 3rd, 2006 11:14
Oh, and I’m sure it’s already occurred to you that if you have suede boots which are getting a little elderly, or which, for some reason, you’re a little tired of, you can brighten them up by stitching on pretty designs with genuine gems, for your very own princess boots!
March 3rd, 2006 11:31
You could always set up a website to sell your surplus (etsy or something).
March 3rd, 2006 11:52
Uh oh, I think we may need to start a support group here. You are too funny.
I forgot to mention- I’m going to Dallas next week to see the ‘rents… but also to go to the Intergem show that’s there next weekend!
Well, my cousin is coming to New York in May for a buying trip and she promises to let me tag along. If there is something you are dying to have, let me know and maybe I can get the hookup. See, I just can’t help myself–I feel compelled to make others complicit in my bead badness.
March 3rd, 2006 12:53
Okay, I’m jealous, too. For the past several years, I’ve so wanted to learn how to bead, make jewelry, etc., but I can’t do it. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my hands can’t handle that type of detail work. Fortunately, I do have a sister-in-law who has been making jewelry as a hobby for a few years, so I do get some lovely handmade jewelry each Christmas.
March 3rd, 2006 20:50
GIA offers homestudy courses. They’re expensive but worth it. They’ve got staff in NYC, for your convenience. www.gia.edu
March 3rd, 2006 21:36
You know what luv, I’ve gotten myself into the same ordeals as you have. The answer is compromise. Whatever you are thinking of buying, when you talk to your cousin make sure that whatever both of you want to buy, compromise it down to half of what you want. That way you can walk away knowing that at least you got what you really wanted, while compromising. I feel your weakness, I’m a fashion designer myself and so I find myself purchasing whatever sounds cleaver from whoever I can find a common love interest from.
answer: COMPROMISE! and ps can we get a view on your full garments? Watch out for me in the next 10 years BIA clothing from Canada just starting up my business recently.
March 4th, 2006 00:23
Thanks for the advice, Natalie. I like the idea of still getting lots of things, just fewer of each. I think that’s still gonna be a lot of stuff, but baby steps, right?!