My Creative Space: Snowbound!

We're well and truly snowed in in these parts---drifts between 5 and 10 feet have closed the freeways, the government offices, and---most importantly---my kids' schools.  We received those wondrous tidings early yesterday afternoon, and settled in for a proper snowday.  A proper snowday, for those of you in more tropical climes, requires three sacrosanct elements:  chocolate chip cookies (which did double duty as supper chez nous), a raging fire (preferably in the fireplace, but one can't be picky about these things), and a stack of movies to entertain les enfants as Maman settles in with a good book, a hot drink, and a heating pad.

So, the book-drink-heating pad endeavor kept me amused till about 7:30.  Afterward, I hopped it to the dining room table with my jewelry-making kit, unabridged dictionary, and a box of Q-Tips in hand.  (Not all at once, mind you.  It's quite a sizable dictionary, and juggling was never my forte.)  I'd been tormented for hours by visions of a paper bead bracelet, and Operation Snowday gave me the  opportunity to crank it out. 

Thus equipped, I began the frustrating and tedious process of rolling the beads.  (Which was compounded, no doubt, by the fact that I neglected to cut the cotton buds off of the Q-Tips prior to rolling.  Cotton and glue is seldom a winning combination, and this instance was no exception.)  Roll, Mod-Podge, wait.  (I despise projects that involve drying time, but I really wanted to see this one through.)  Whilst my sticky beads languished on their fuzzy Q-Tip sticks, I turned my attention to the production of the wire links that would eventually hold the bracelet together.

It was at this point that I decided I'd really like a jig---a peggy contraption that enables the wire-worker to produce identical links rather than the somewhat sketchy method yours truly employed, which involved round-nosed pliers, the frequent removal of spectacles, and an ongoing string of muttered oaths.

Once the links were formed, I began the systematic whacking and pounding that "work-hardens" the metal.  I like this part the best, and have a recurring tendency to name the pretty bits of metal as I hammer at them.  (Don't tell my therapist.)

Long story short, I called it a night at this point, though the loinfruit were still happily ensconced in front of The Box.  I resumed my book-heating-pad regimen, but nodded off after a few chapters.

Morning brought with it the realization that there was bound to be a heck of a lot of shoveling on the day's agenda, and I felt compelled to occupy myself indoors before being drafted into battle against that wicked, white, stuff.  The usual bouts of laundry, dishes, and food service ensued, keeping me from my little jewelry-making-spree till well after lunchtime. Having settled the munchkin for her nap, it was time to play with harsh chemicals.  I gave the now-dry-but-not-stuck-to-the-Q-Tip-stick beads a good glossing over with clear varnish, then did it once again for good measure.  While they dried (I hate drying time...) I made a big batch of jump rings to attach the links.  I have to say I'm a little in love with the finished product, but I can't show it to you because my %#@!* card reader is on the blink. As soon as the roads are passable, I'll pick up a new one and upload photos.