Postings from Germany

Baubles, Bangles and Beads

Today was a craft fair in Bremen. Before Easter, a bit like before Christmas, there are lots of markets where creative people can strut their stuff. I fantasize about joining their ranks, but it is so intimidating! Ideas! Execution! Commitment! I seem to lack some of the essential elements to enter the craft market.

Nevertheless, looking is lots of fun and inspires me a bit to go home and do SOMETHING.

Our friend Ursel got inspired a few months back. She got a 5-kilo bag of assorted glass beads for next to nothing, all sizes and colors and shapes and all in a jumble. But she has a great eye and before long they were sorted and organized and began turning into lovely necklaces and then she ordered more beads and then she took apart some old necklaces of hers to add to the mix and, well, this is part of what happened.

Back to the craft fair. A young friend was visiting so of course they made a necklace but the center bauble just didn't quite get it. Wouldn't you know, a glass artist was at the fair and she had the perfect bead!

So back to Ursel's where she finished the necklace for Wiebke and then said:  Well, my dear Sharon, I think you need a new necklace.  And it should be turquoise. That's a good color for you.  Well, OK!  Let's make a necklace.  

First we chose a range of colors, then set up the row, then chose the smaller beads to go between, then found a much better center bead, then restrung it all and -- ta da ! a masterpiece.

 So, is turquoise a good color for me? I vote YES. Thanks, Ursel, it is beautiful!