But You're Never Going to Make Earrings!

Famous Last Words From the Craft Room

There are a few things I've said with absolute certainty since I started this whole beading adventure.

"I have no interest in making earrings."

"I don't intend on ever making earrings."

And just in case anyone missed it the first seventeen times, I'm fairly certain I've repeated both statements to anyone who would listen.

I meant it, too.

Apparently, I am not a woman of my word.

It Started With a Christmas Bracelet. In October.

Yesterday morning, I sat down at my craft desk with a to-do list approximately seventeen miles long.

Thanksgiving was coming, there were projects to finish, photographs to take, blog posts to organize, and about a hundred other things demanding my attention.

Naturally, I decided to make a Christmas bracelet.

Yes. A Christmas bracelet.

In October.

With Thanksgiving practically knocking on the door.

I'm not entirely sure how I got there. I wasn't just off track. I'd wandered right off the map and into the forest.

Eventually, I gave myself a little talking-to.

You are supposed to be photographing Halloween bracelets.

Right. Halloween bracelets. Focus.

One Thing Leads to Another

Out came the Halloween bracelets Barb and I had made.

Now, you'd think this would be fairly straightforward. The bracelets were finished. They just needed their moment in front of the camera.

Except apparently, what I thought looked fabulous last week wasn't quite so fabulous this week.

So I started restringing a few.

A bead here. A different color there. A little rearranging.

You know how it goes.

Eventually, I was happy with the changes, and that's when I noticed something.

I still had a ridiculous number of Halloween charms left.

Not just a few, either. Multiples of several designs.

And then a thought wandered into my head.

You know, these charms would probably be perfect for someone who makes earrings.

Perfectly reasonable observation.

Followed almost immediately by another thought.

Maybe I should try making a pair of earrings.

Excuse me?

WTF?

Who said that?

Certainly not the woman who has spent months announcing that she has absolutely no interest in making earrings.

But then I started thinking.

People like Halloween earrings.

I've already got the charms.

I've got the beads.

How hard could it be?

And just like that, another perfectly good declaration went straight out the craft room window.

Enter Alexis Carrington

The first pair was a set of the cutest little ghosts.

I used beautiful white and soft gray faceted beads, added a little gold, and paired them with those adorable mother-of-pearl-looking ghost charms.

And wouldn't you know it?

They were absolutely darling.

Not just cute.

Alexis Carrington cute.

If you grew up watching Dynasty in the 1980s, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Alexis wouldn't have been caught dead without a fabulous piece of jewelry. Even if she was simply heading downstairs to insult Krystle over breakfast.

These little ghosts had just enough sparkle, just enough elegance, and just enough attitude.

I could practically see Alexis wearing them.

Well, perhaps a slightly larger version. The woman wasn't exactly known for subtle accessories.

And the best part?

They matched one of the Halloween bracelets Barb and I had already created.

A coordinating set!

Oh, this was getting dangerous.

Money. Power. Pony Beads.

The Bead Dynasty had apparently entered its jewelry-design era.

One Pair Became Five

You can probably guess what happened next.

I made another pair.

And then another.

And another.

By the time I finally looked up, I'd made FIVE PAIRS OF EARRINGS.

Five!

From a woman who was never going to make earrings.

I would like to point out that at no time during this little adventure did I officially announce a change in policy.

There was no meeting.

No committee approval.

Not even a memo.

I simply started making earrings.

And apparently, I liked it.

And Then Barb Showed Up

Despite my unexpected detour into the world of earrings, the day actually turned out to be surprisingly productive.

I finished everything on my to-do list.

Yes, everything.

Even dinner.

Which, quite frankly, should qualify me for some sort of award.

After dinner, Barb popped in.

Naturally, I couldn't wait to show her what I'd been up to.

"Wait until you see what I made!"

I proudly brought out the earrings and the matching bracelet.

She looked at them.

"I love them!"

Excellent. A glowing review.

And then, almost before the words were out of her mouth, she switched to that unmistakable mocking voice.

"BUT YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO MAKE EARRINGS."

Well.

There it was.

I knew it was coming.

I just hadn't expected it quite so quickly.

Apparently, Barb has been keeping receipts.

And apparently, I will never be allowed to forget this.

Never Say Never. Especially in the Craft Room.

So here we are.

Five pairs of earrings later, and I have officially joined the ranks of people who make earrings.

Am I going to become an earring-making enthusiast?

Will there be more?

Am I about to start collecting earring supplies like I collect beads?

Good Lord, I hope not.

I already have enough hobbies to keep three people busy.

But I will admit something.

They were fun to make.

And there's something rather satisfying about taking a handful of leftover charms and