Valentine's Day is approaching fast! Although I'm not really one for "Hallmark Holidays" I do believe in showing the one's I love that I care ~ everyday!
Yesterday a few of my son's friends (who always call me mom) were at the house trying to get my son to finish his chores so they could go play basketball. While he was lollygagging around I asked the boys (teenagers) what they were giving to their mothers for Valentine's Day. I got a few giggles and a basic quizzical look upon their faces so I asked if they would like to make something for them. I showed them a few possible things they could make and between checking their iPhones for text messages and Facebook posts, they managed to tell me what color beads they'd like to use. I pulled out what I had and gave them free range of choosing their favorites. I have never actually taught a class for money, although while working in a bead store I've shown many people (who have never made jewelry) basic methods and some of my personal tricks that I've come up with over the decades to making jewelry that is simple but sturdy.
When I took out the tools that they'd be using one of them said "that's a lot of tools"! Funny thing is that I only took out the round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and wire cutters as I figured that was all they needed for basic wire wrapping. At this time, the iPhones were pushed to the side!!
We started off by attaching a silver bail to the crystal. It seems that at times I take such a simple step for granted because it comes so easily for me, but watching the guys trying to get a grip on the crystal while putting on the bail proved to be a bit challenging (and comical - shhh!). Granted that this was the first time and while cheering them on I also told them that it gets easier as with anything you set your mind to doing. Finally, step one was accomplished and they moved on to figuring out the bead patterns and slipped them onto the wire completing step two! Now for the more difficult act of wrapping the wire into a loop...I showed them how I do it but explained that everyone holds their tools different and they would need to do what is comfortable for them while mentioning that if they didn't succeed the first time, I have plenty more wire and they can do it until they were satisfied with the results. Each was to chose the length of chain they wanted to attach to the crystal suncatcher. After the lengths were decided it was time to put the chain through the wire and wrap up the loops which is when the wire cutters came into play. I was holding the chain tight to make it easier to cut but at one point I realized that I might get clipped, so I gave it to them so they could figure it out! No better way of learning than receiving instruction but doing it yourself!!
When the crystal suncatchers and earrings (both embellished with crystal and glass hearts by the way) were completed the boys were amazed at how nicely they came out! They did question me about how I said it wouldn't take very long though! My response was that next time they will already be skilled and should be able to do it quicker, but quicker isn't always better when making something from the heart.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
THE SWEET PART OF THIS ACTIVITY was the priceless conversation that was going on as one of the boys was talking about how one was for his mom's car and should be about 6 inches while the other was for his sister's bedroom window and needed to be a little sorter. The other one was hoping that the colors he picked were perfect. As I listened without sound, I could honestly feel the love they had while considering each piece with precise calculations. I thought to myself about what great kids they were and how wonderful it is that my son has chosen to have good-hearted people as friends - my heart grew ten times it's size! This is reassuring to me being a single parent as I have tried so hard to make good choices, set good examples, be honest and be oh-so-ever involved in his activities in this ever-changing world we live in.
The reminded lesson of the day is to appreciate the good things in life and share the love!
