i don't mind if the person has sincerely put a lot of effort into their art - not everyone is created equal and such, but it really bothers me when a swap partner treats things somewhat flippantly, because then you never know if you're getting their honest effort. but you never know.
i figured earrings were pretty safe, so here's the five pairs i made, all for different people.
this one was copied straight off of my partner's wist. it turned out to be originally a post from craftster, so i don't take credit for the design. i think i did a decent job with the execution though.
this pair was for someone who loved all kinds of metal, except bright gold, vintage themes, and greens and earth tones. et voila:
ah, this partner was fun to craft for. we had a brief e-mail exchange and i think i nailed her tastes right on. yes, she has two piercings in each ear. the charms are a rose on the left, and a key on the right.
this particular girl liked shorter styles, pearls, swarovski, blue, and birds. she also liked the color orange, but it didn't seem to go with the theme too well.
and the last pair. this partner, i believe, was brand-new to swapping, and i really didn't get a lot of information off her, but what i did get i think worked okay. she liked dangly earrings, yellows, blues, and greens, beach themes, squares and circles. the pieces in the middle are natural shell beads, and i had to wrap them a bit with really fine guage wire to get them to hang right.
all in all i really had fun designing all the different pairs. my fiance wonders why i don't design for a living, but i know i just do this for fun. if i could get someone to bite, sure, i would. as it is though, it's just a hobby. and now i'm heading back to school (university in the fall!) so i might have to enjoy buying beads while i can!
all in all i really had fun designing all the different pairs. my fiance wonders why i don't design for a living, but i know i just do this for fun. if i could get someone to bite, sure, i would. as it is though, it's just a hobby. and now i'm heading back to school (university in the fall!) so i might have to enjoy buying beads while i can!
speaking of, how come i will never pay $30-40 for a bracelet in the store, but i'll happily spend that much money to make it myself? i made this bracelet after seeing all the loaded charm bracelets in a different swap, and i haven't taken it off since! (well, i do to sleep). my palm was still bruised when i started all the earrings too, so it's been quite a weekend.
but, yes, i am returning to college in the fall. gettin' out of the current business, and i'm not too sure how i feel about it. i'm excited to go back and study something different, and i know the change will really open up my career opportunities, but in principle i feel bad about leaving my current industry. as for my specific situation, i'm not sure i feel so bad. but in general, the career field... i'm having a little trouble coping with leaving. maybe i can take an independent study to keep myself current or something.
anyway, if i dig up any photos of the art dolls i sent away, i'll post 'em.
i actually have homework to do already - i'm taking a six week writing course through the u, and it's free! one of the perks of being chronically ill with something or other. it really is pretty good therapy. sometimes i don't feel so good right after i write, you know, digging in and exploring all those feelings, but it's like pouring peroxide in a cut. stings and first, feels better later.
if i get up the courage, i should post some writing here. not the uber-personal stuff, but some of my routine exercises.
