Description:

I often take my 11-year-old daughter to Art Shows that I do. She makes jewelry, handbags, and delightful baby tees, which sell really well, often faster than my "fine" art.

Recently at an Art Show, I had a bad experience with one of the organizers. On Mother's day (the 3rd day of the show) about 2 hours after opening, a organizer came and told me that I had to take down Hannah's baby t's and handbags because they weren't on the application, I had a copy of the application with me and showed her that they had been included, thinking that would be the end of that. But she stated that because Hannah's t-shirts weren't handmade (the shirts themselves) that they were excluded and I had to take them down. I thanked her for squelching my 11 year old's artistic endeavors and took them down. I was not happy! And in my mind I thought Art Snob!

It got me to thinking ... do I help or squelch artistic endeavours of those who are not at the level I am? I teach, I encourage and help people out often. I love this site because of its helping people to grow in their craft attitude. But I kept thinking...

Stringing beads. That's how this all got started, oh so many years ago. As a 3 or 4 year old I strung my first necklace, macaroni I had colored with tempera paints, then strung on a piece of yarn for my mother. I was hooked! And jewelry making became a passion for me.

I have strung many a necklace, bracelet and anklet in my day. As I grew as an artist I began to make my own beads in polymer clay, stringing them to my hearts content. Then I grew more as an artist and started working with stones, glass and gems. Clay beads became a thing of my past. Then 5 years ago I began to work with wire, another growth spurt for my artistic side and stringing became a thing of the past too.

And I rarely stringing anything these days, I make my own chains and usually links make up my bracelets. Oh no, I have to say "Yes I admit it I am a stringing snob". Stringing for me was a stepping-stone to more complicated things, so I left it behind. Until now.

Last year at the Farmer's Market I was asked by many a child looking longingly at my sparkling jewelry, "is there anything here, just for me?" The answer was no, most parents are not going to invest in sterling silver or 14K gold for their 3 year old, whose interest may be passing or may lose it just down the street. These little faces of disappointment have stayed with me.

So, this year at the Farmer's Market I am hoping not to disappoint. I have started a children's line of jewelry. Every night bright colors in my past medium of polymer clay are strung on stretchy cord for small wrists. Stringing is just as fun as when I made that first necklace.

So "Just for Me Designs" is the answer to the questions asked of many a little girl last year. And this year the answer is yes, these are just for you! And maybe just maybe a few little girls will string a macaroni necklace for Mommy, and then the jewelry journey for them will begin.

And to those grown ups that have discovered their passion by stringing beads yesterday, last week, last year or years ago, first my apologies for becoming a stringing snob. And second, my best wishes to you! Welcome to an amazing journey. May your journey be as delightful as mine is and has been!


Blessings to All! C.

P.S. No longer a stringing snob!