Beading and macrame were passions in the 60's and 70's. I even got the hubby of the moment to get into the macrame and he helped with larger projects. I remember hanging rope from a patio arbor to make plant hangers and wall hangings. I was doing the free-range thing way back then with combining various cords and yarns for texture. I did many little projects with crochet cord for jewelry as in the bracelet to the right. It's all that remain of those days. We didn't have much money, and hippy crafts were cheap. I loved beads, but hated rat tail cord that always broke during wear and left me scrambling up beads from their scattered landing spots. I gave it all up until I was a Cub Scout den mommie and my cubbies did some beaded key "chains" to satisfy the Indian badge. It was a brief resurgance and then years later, I had a wonderful Union Bay denim man shirt that I wore the poo out of. At some point, I got out a shoe box and did some bead work for the shoulder seams. About 2 years ago I upcycled that shredded shirt into small shoulder bags. I tried to sell them on Etsy, but Etsy has never been golden for me.
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| gorgeous wrap bracelet found on Pinterest |
This week has seen me returning to beading. I am drooling over a gorgeous wrap bracelet I found through Pinterest and tangent searches. After pinning it, it has been climbing in popularity, and I have wanted to make my own version. The hammer and torch-ering metal is on hold for a while as my right side is sore from neck muscles down to the right hand fingertips due to what I jokingly refer to as "man-handling" (lifting and moving) during care-giving activities. Repetitive stress injury can be devastating and I want my body to heal and take it easy while this level of care continues. I have moved the bed position so that I am using my left side more, and trying to be more mindful as I lift and move her in the bed. Now that she has been bed-ridden for nine months, I am simply forced to take better care of myself.
So, this is my little project. ...Just getting started, and I plan to add some leather and wrapped cord too.
Sujets like right out of my life :-) The beading days of the sixties, giving macrame classes way beyond pothangers in Chicago - ah, the Golden Sixties as they were quickly called. Thank you for bringing that time back to mind. Care-provider:I wish you had time to take care of yourself as well. In Europe, the hot water thermal springs as well as hot mudbaths are often quite helpful for soothing muscle pains.
ReplyDeleteI am slathering myself with Magnesium Oil. It works wonders for relaxing muscles a well as the mind. Both need R&R at this point. You will be happy to know, my dear friend, that I will have a respite in less than two weeks. I will be in the "Endless Mountains" of Pennsylvania, staying in a sweet little log cabin named " The Tree House."
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