Recyling at Its Shiny Best!

Posted by missjunebug on Tuesday June 9th, 2009

A Jumbly Bracelet Past Its Prime! Photo by mjb2009

The Final Result! Photo by mjb2009

Mr.JB found a junky old bracelet in the bottom of his gym bag today. He thought maybe it was his girlfriend’s but happily it turned out to be missjunebug’s. (JK, Mr.JB: Remember that was your joke!) The bracelet was still sparkly but the elastic was all stretched out and the piece looked pretty sad. That did not daunt missjunebug! She grabbed her jewelry-making instruments and went to work!

A short hour or so later missjunebug had herself a nifty new necklace! It was the best kind of semi-instant gratification ever. Now she just needs MrJB to take her out somewhere so she can wear it! She hopes she doesn’t run into the girlfriend.

Beads! Beads! Beautiful Beads!

Posted by missjunebug on Saturday May 30th, 2009

missjunebug's Fab Class Project Bracelet! Photo by mjb2009

missjunebug decided to shake things up a bit and expand her skill set this week by taking a jewelry making class. In three short hours her world was transformed!

She still loves to bake and to knit and to watercolor, but she’s crazy-happy about jewelry making. So far she’s made a little bracelet, her class project, and a necklace that is having a few crimp bead/clasp problems still to be solved.

But that’s part of the fun! Things fall apart (to borrow a phrase from Yeats and Achebe) and missjunebug can put them right back together with her awesome tools: crimping pliers, chain nose pliers, round nose pliers, crimps and clasps. She’s not-quite-ready-for-prime-time wire wrapping, but she’s had a few practice wraps that didn’t look horrible. So there’s hope!

missjunebug has a theory that the older women get, the more fascinated they are by jewelry. It’s their way of counterbalancing with beads and baubles what nature takes away. A sparkling La Vie Parisienne pendant necklace or a pair of drop-dead Swarovski crystal earrings draw attention away from the inevitable imperfections. Not a perfect trade-off, but hey there are a kagillion beautiful beads out there waiting to be strung into necklaces and bracelets!

There’s still plenty of room in missjunebug’s jewelry box!

mjbTip: Get crafty!