Blue Daisies

The May 2011 issue of Bead Trends arrived on my doorstep yesterday. My mind drew a blank as to which project was scheduled to appear in this particular issue. It wasn't until I flipped through the pages that I stumbled upon my Blue Daisies project on pages 78 and 79.

This necklace is the companion piece to my earrings that were featured in the Earrings, Earrings, Earrings book (below) by Barb Switzer. The photographer for Bead Trends did a wonderful job photographing my necklace.

I particularly like the story that Tatia Meyer, editor of Bead Trends, tells about a designer who was discouraged by a jewelry instructor. The instructor said that no magazine would want the student's work. Well, it turns out that this student's work is published in this issue of Bead Trends.

I can't believe there are people who would act in such a childish way, especially a teacher.  I had a similar experience when I was seeking to learn metalwork many, many years ago. I approached a metalsmith at a local arts festival, and I asked her where she learned how to design jewelry. In a very nasty tone, she replied, "From the school of hard knocks."

Little did this woman know that her answer drove me even more to find a metalsmith instructor, which I did. A year later I saw that same woman at my very first craft festival. It turns out she couldn't take the competition from a young girl who had the same skills, and she actually picked a fight with me at the festival. Back in the day, there weren't many metalsmiths, and I think she was intimidated. Yes, there are definitely nuts out there.