Every once in a while I wake up determined to create. Everything has to line up just right, though. All the big daily chores have to be caught up (It’s extremely hard for me to be creative with a dirty kitchen floor.); the to-do list has to be managed to where the items can wait a few days; there needs to be food in the house. But when all that happens, I’m off and making a mess.

The problem is knowing where to start. I am, like my parents before me, a consummate hobbyist. Some hobbies have been gentle on the budget while others can go nuts. Some require little in the way of space. Some are big and messy and expensive. I’ve always avoided woodworking – though I love the things created – because I’ve watched my father acquire machinery that eventually filled an extra building near the home. Beading, or really beaded jewelry making, has been kind on the budget and the shelving.

Last year I made some of the young women on the list crocheted beaded dot necklaces similar to these. It took a couple of tries to get the spacing and length correct, but I loved how they turned out. (I have no idea if these were even worn, though!) For my sister-in-law I made something a little more sophisticated. (Darn it! I need to start taking pictures of this stuff! I can’t find anything similar to show you.)

This year I have my heart set on putting together a few of these. (DIL, you can’t click there!) I met a woman in Florence who wore one, and I really liked it.

Somewhere around here, I have all the supplies I need.

Somewhere.

And that’s the problem in a nutshell when it comes to me and crafting. A lot of the stuff I do overlaps and supplies get moved around. Today I’ll need to find the ribbon embroidery box and the pearl supply and the thin beading needles and the good jewelry findings. It could take a while. When it all comes together I’ll be happily diverted for a few hours and end up with gifts no one else could buy.

—

You know, this Christmas rush will be all over soon. A friend has promised to teach me how to knit.

Now where are those needles?