Another Hobby To Add To My List

Well, I've posted my first picture on my blog! I know, I've had it for quite a while, but I guess I never had anything to post a picture of. Until now!

The necklace you see to the left is one I made on Sunday, August 16th after buying some charms and two necklaces at Michael's and Hobby Lobby. Two of my most beloved craft stores that I can't get enough of. This is the first necklace I've made myself and was surprised at how little time it took. Once I got the right tools that is.

Although later on, at the time, I was surprised at how much it takes just to make a single necklace. There are many intricate details and small tools you have to use in order to make everything come together. But being a craft fanatic myself - see my last post entitled Self Professed Craft Fanatic, I learned the so-called tricks of the trade fairly quickly. Running into a lady at Michael's who makes custom necklaces and such for people was a bonus as well. She was the one who introduced my Mom and I into things such as jump rings and all of the tools one needs to complete a necklace. She was a huge help in explaining things, as crafts, no matter what you're making, can become very complicated.

I've noticed that a lot of intricate details are involved, whether it be coordinating colors on a necklace, counting a certain number of chain links on a necklace to space charms apart just right, or holding a jump ring in order to slide another one through to hold said charm. All of this goes with my detail-oriented personality, which is probably a huge reason why I so easily became a fan of making my own jewelry. I'd like to move on to earrings next. Which is even more intricate due to their small size. I've bought several homemade earrings already and love the look of them. Now I can try it for myself!

As for the necklace I posted on this blog post, you can probably tell by its look that I'm a fan of antiques. Which was the look I was going for with this necklace, especially with the skeleton key, which is real. While up in Michigan visiting my Grandpa I mentioned to him that I've been looking to skeleton keys, and although I've been to numerous antique stores in Sheboygan, I have yet to come across a single one. Apparently, but not surprisingly, they are all the rage now. So my Grandpa called up a friend of his who brought me a metal skeleton key that I'm looking to put on another necklace. The one shown in the picture is one my Aunt gave to me, which is an original as well. It actually opens a door to her house.

My craft making has extended far beyond card making, and I'm glad that I'm branching out into other categories, so to speak. I've always admired homemade jewelry, as well as anything else crafty that's homemade. As I've said before, each piece is unique and there's something satisfying about replying with "I made that" when someone asks you where you got it.

So perhaps a few blog posts later I'll be posting a picture of some earrings I made. Or a card perhaps? I'm looking to making Thanksgiving cards this year, instead of just Birthday and Christmas ones.