learning to move from idea to completion… using frustration to help, not hinder…
I have a bracelet my mother made me when I was a little girl. It was the mini to her many. When I went off to college, I could still hear her walking up the stairs calling my name, arm full of trade bead bracelets jangling. Even though she doesn’t wear them anymore, it’s still her. Bracelets on the left, red pen in her right hand. Mommy.
I have two bracelets, actually. The one that belongs to elementary me and the one that I wore when I finally stopped caring if something looked “African” and I started looking different on purpose. I haven’t worn it in ages. A bead broke and there’s a link that comes undone. I’ve been too, let’s call it distracted, to fix it.
I’ve been thinking about making jewelry, again. It started a few months ago. Thinking about things that would really work for me. I’ve made stuff and worn it. It’s all been fine, but I was never able to really get past the kinda *pursedlipsshrug* like to hardcore ♥. I’ve been almost there, but never there there.
The thing is I hadn’t figured out what I wanted. Um, done. It’s like if Tom Binns hung out with Les Nubian in ’03, ate potato rotis in DC from West Indian carryouts and dreamed of Mississippi juke joints while cleaning houses in the Chicago suburbs in gear made by Rei, Yoji, Rick and the Belgians. Oh, and with home movies and family photos taken by Andrew Dosunmu.
Yeah, that’s a lot. And so am I. I need to embrace it.
So, I’ve been playing with the idea of doing something with trade beads. Just something simple. When I was home last month, Mom offered some up. A lot, really. And they just came in the post. I’m so excited. I want to make pieces that will build on what she gave me. Build on my memories.
While I’m doing design research and sourcing materials for something new, I’m going to fix the link on my bracelet and probably replace that missing bead.
Starting somewhere.
N♥