Last week, she introduced me to a lady named Beth, owner of Beads and Beyond, who showed us tray upon tray of wonderful beads and components. I felt like a little girl in a candy shop. They sparkled and winked, beamed and beckoned. Such show-offs, so hard to resist. Tell me, what’s a girl to do?
Fill up a tray, of course. Never mind if the last time I worked with beads was late last year when I busied myself making beaded floral wraps for every special little girl I knew. I was able to make and give away over a hundred of them. Although they were intended to embellish a ponytail, Juliana showed me more imaginative ways to use them, either wrapped around a happy wrist or chubby ankles. After that, I did two maskipap (maski papaano) brooches that I asked Lila Almario to permanently attach to two evening bags of her design. I gave them away last Christmas to two special ladies already blessed with almost everything.
There I was with more than a dozen trays before me, my amateur and recreational beading skills more rusty than I would dare imagine, but enthused nonetheless. I ran the many different shapes and textures through my fingers, and mindlessly picked out in threes the ones that appealed to me. Intermittently, I would dream up the finished products to either be brooches, neckpieces, napkin rings, bag charms or chunky key holders. Nothing definite, all I knew was that I wanted to have all these wonderful components handy for when inspiration (or desperation) struck, whichever came first. After all, beading (or any creative outlet for that matter) is like eating. Happy or sad, you can do it with much gusto.
In the car on the way home, all I could think of was starting on something, anything. I played with the beads while I tried my best to mentally locate where in heaven’s name I placed my beading tools. I knew it wasn’t in my beading basket. I had used it just a month ago to fix Juliana’s beaded princess crown and a rosary I bought during a trip to Boracay that had fallen apart. Juliana must have played with it again. I remember putting them high up where she could not reach it, most probably in the tin where I keep my manicure set.
When I finally got home after stopping by Richard’s badminton game and Randy Ortiz’ dress shop, Juliana met me at the door, jumped into my arms and searched my bag for a surprise. Of course, she found my box of beads and proceeded to play with them. After promising to be very careful not to drop even one, I let her be. I think I enjoyed her unabashed enthusiasm for what probably was a feast for her senses more than I would care to admit. I did not have the heart to ask her to stop clinking them and scooping them up in bunches with her plastic play spoon. Thankfully, she was careful and not one bead was chipped.
It wasn’t until two days ago when I finally found time to sit down, organize my new loose finds, and yes, finally start beading again. Did I mention that I found my set of beading tools exactly where I thought they were, in the tin where I keep my manicure set? Anyway, I took out my pretty beading basket (actually a huge sewing basket with compartments) and noticed that somehow, the pastel colored design on the fabric had faded considerably over time. (I think I’ve had it for over almost five years.) It was even more muted than I last remembered. And I was in for more surprises apparently, for when I sorted through the contents of the basket, I realized that I had totally ran out of beading wire. I probably used them all up on the beaded floral wraps I made last year.
As if that were not enough, I was half-horrified and half-amused to discover at the bottom of the 1.5 feet deep basket a plastic bag that contained half-finished beaded projects that I started as far back as three years ago. I found, among others, would-be lariats I had yet to attach to their suede or silk cords, the ninth piece of a set of 12 napkin rings that was supposed to be a birthday present for a friend of mine, a vintage bead necklace I had to restring, bag charms that were in various stages of un-finish, and a key holder waiting for just the perfect shade of green tassel. Whew! I was bemused and amused at the same time. All these little projects I started in bits and pieces. So many loose ends to tie. Some that I thought were so neat years back all of a sudden looked decrepit, while some, which I was not particularly very happy with, surprisingly appeared promising. Other pieces succeeded in stirring up new inspiration, while others had to realistically be taken apart and pushed into oblivion, but not without hope of reincarnation.
I guess it’s like re-reading a well-loved book or watching over again a favorite movie – each time there always still seems to be something new to discover, something new to appreciate. I guess we are perpetually on different levels of listening, various stages of awareness and learning. We can look at old things with new eyes or look at new things with old eyes. Maybe that’s what makes any journey interesting.
As for me and my beads, I do not know what I will start with. First things first, so I guess I will have to get ample supply of beading wire. Then, I can either choose to pick up where I left off and work on all those little projects lounging in boredom at the bottom of my basket, or I can start fresh on an entirely new one. Bahala na how the cookie crumbles.
At any rate, I will remember that when I do need to oil my suspiciously rusty beading skills I can take up Tita Inday on her offer to teach me a few beading techniques and, in the process, make my imagination and spirits soar.
Try to find time to work with your hands. I just know it will do your heart good.