Hoarding - the confession

Hoarding ... this is literally what I've been doing with a wonderful stash of beach stones, for a year now! I've always loved the "river rock", "beach stone" thing ... and had dreamed of creating jewelry with some. Perfect designs, that are versatile and can easily be worn with many different things. Pieces that bring a unique touch to your look, definitely custom, and wonderfully neutral, yet interesting. Love them, love them, love them! Last year, I was able to shop for some in person, and was BEYOND delighted! 

The whole purchase experience should've given me a hint of what was to come. I almost broke out in a sweat, looking over all these wonderful organically shaped stones ... trying to decide what and how many to get. I had an idea for every single thing I saw. I loved every single one I saw. I wanted singles. I wanted coordinating groups. I almost had a meltdown! I couldn't even get my mind focused to decide how much I should spend on them at one time. I finally settled down enough to select a handful of tiny pebbles for bracelets, some matching pairs for earrings, as well as a few nicely sized focals. It pains me even now, to think back about the others I left there ... I should've known I would not be able to let them go!

I admire them weekly, thinking about how great it will be when I can wear them. But for a year, they've sat. You see, I have a real problem making jewelry for myself. Every time I finish a piece that would be perfect for me, or one that I'm really in love with for one reason or another ... I can't let myself keep it. I keep thinking, "If I love it this much, then surely someone else will love it too ... and that would be one more sale ... so I really need to let it go". It's like I would be wasting it if it stayed with me. -I know, it's a little nutsy. After all, a woman who designs this much jewelry, should be able to wear a piece or two of it herself! Although I couldn't bring myself to keep them, I also couldn't bring myself to let them go! And so the hoarding was in full swing.

I was digging through my stash the other day, amidst a driven intention to use materials that have been around for a while, and came across some great lampwork glass. Some were tiny - perfect for earrings, other pieces were more medium-focal sized. I instantly had visions of some great beach-themed jewelry, that was neutral enough to be worn in a  "non-beachy" way. I made myself pull out the stones and had THE BEST time working with them as I brought my visions to life!

I'm really happy with the way the pieces I've completed so far, have turned out. I think each piece nicely complements both the stone and lampwork components of the designs. I believe I was able to successfully get past the hoarding, because in the back of my mind I kept thinking ... "since they're kind of beachy and I'm posting them online, I'm sure they'll be around for a while - so I can still enjoy them". That's the problem with making almost entirely one-of-a-kind jewelry designs ... once they're gone, they're gone! 

I'm not sure if this is a confession, or something to make myself feel better by getting it "out", since I'm letting them go! It's funny how we can create emotional stress for ourselves in our minds - I'm the queen of it! Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!