Domestic Geek

While I was on vacation this last summer (both times we went to the Dakotas), I kept being drawn to beaded necklaces. I don't know why. The first time we went, I couldn't afford the one I wanted. The second time, I couldn't find one I liked. That got me to thinking that I could just make myself one exactly as I picture it.

Since then, I've been looking at all the bead sections and seeking out bead stores. Add to that that wonderful crochet bead bracelet I wrote about a few days ago and now I seem to be fixated on beads. I'm doing my darnedest not to go on a crazy, out-of-control bead buying spree. There are just such wonderful beads out there. I keep wondering if there is any way I can make money from this craft.

I've written before about how craft crazes are cyclical. Everybody and their cousin is beading right now. Eventually, beading stores will go the way of scrapbooking stores and be few and far between. Do I want to venture down this road or am I already too late? So far I'm keeping my head and not going off the deep end. I have to keep reminding myself of all of the craft supplies I have and my promise to myself not to buy more until I finish up a few things.

I wish my crafting passion wasn't so darned fickle.

I keep seeing these neat beaded bracelets on Etsy. At $40 or so, I couldn't justify getting one. I was sure they were time intensive and worth every penny the sellers were asking, I just can't spend that much on a bracelet for myself. I've got a plan brewing that I hope I can share soon, but at the moment, I need to save every penny I can. I saw on someone's blog yesterday (can't remember where, I surfed a lot yesterday) that she had been shown how to make one of these bracelets. Now I was determined to learn to make my own. I came across this tutorial (posted below) yesterday. As soon as I dig out my beads, I'm going to give it a shot.

AnnBenson Bead Crochet Primer

ETA some additional links to help me:

http://www.designstolove.com/thread/1058/bead_crochet.aspx
http://www.beadseast.com/primers.html
http://www.beadpatterncentral.com/tubecrochetprimer.pdf
PDF chart to graph designs: http://www.beadpatterncentral.com/graphtubecrochetPDF.pdf

While surfing around, I came across the web site of a store in St. Charles, IL called My Eclectic Mess. This is exactly the kind of place I've dreamed of owning. It doesn't specialize in any particular craft, say scrapbooking or knitting, it encompasses a multitude of different crafts. Her web site is adorable, too. Really fits with the theme of her business. If I ever end up back in that area, I'd definitely like to check it out.

EDIT: The retail shop is closed as of April 2009, but she still does business online.

When I was shopping at a yarn store that was rather far from me, the owner asked where I lived. After telling her Aurora, I lamented that I'm not really close to any yarn stores. The closest one is about 9 miles away and I don't care for that particular store much. The store that is actually in Aurora is 10 miles away and is kind of off my regular beaten path. Anyway, she told me that she had heard a store was going to be opening in either Lowry or Stapleton.

Well, I just read on Ravelry (an online knit/crochet community to which I belong) that the store is open! It's called Modern Ewe and is located at 200 Quebec in Lowry (6 miles from home according to Google maps). As I practically drive past there on my way to work, it is definitely convenient for me. Sadly, the store is not open tomorrow, but I'll be checking it out later in the week. I really hope it's a cool store and some knitting groups form there. As much as I love the group that I currently attend, sometimes I don't go because it's just too freaking far to drive.

I was on Ravelry today and found this pattern for an awesome pair of Tux (the Linux Penguin) Mittens. How cool are these? I wish Marcus wore mittens (I'd make him a pair), but I think I'll just make them for me.