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Friday, December 4, 2015

We're All Ears :: December Inspiration

It occurred to me after the recent Thanksgiving feast that I didn't actually have any leftovers. You see, my sister-in-law's and I have divvied up the holidays over the year. My holiday to host is Easter. That means that I need to stuff myself silly on Thanksgiving, because I actually don't get to drag out the leftovers for a week.

But beading leftovers are no stranger to me. My studio looks like you pulled open one of those giant crackers and out popped all manner of beads, findings, leather, cord, clay, wire, metal and the like. When a bead rolls off my table (which they frequently do), I rarely bother to find out where it went. I just keep right on going. There is always another right there waiting.

If you are like me, then you have multiple projects happening at all times (and in my case, in various rooms of my house, much to the chagrin of my darling husband). When complete, the resulting project gets buried by the next one...literally. I imagine my studio is like an archaeological dig...strata of projects past are discovered as you dig deeper into the ever-growing pile. Every so often I feel the need to sort through it and {attempt} to put it away. But more likely than not, I am overstuffed from my marathon creating and I just push back from the beading table, vowing to tidy it up tomorrow.

There is only one thing to do with a bead feast craftermath like that: use your leftovers.

So in the spirit of the holidays, I challenge you to play the  
Leftover Transformation Game 
with me. Are you ready to play?

Make your own Keep Calm poster at http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

First, take a picture of the craftermath from your bead feast. I know it won't be pretty! I expect that it will be littered with beady crumbs of all sorts. But think of those bits as delicious morsels waiting for your inspiration to strike!

Next, find a divided box, bin, baggies or small bowls and go through the stash on your festive table picking out coordinated sets that you can use to create earrings. They don't need to be same... this is a good time to practice asymmetrical earrings! Put these pieces together with ear wires, chain, findings, etc in each division of the box. I have found that a mini-muffin tin is a great way to corral these bits! Work quickly! Don't take too much time, just focus on filling the sections.Think of this like your staging area for Leftover Transformation.

Now, kick your creating into high gear! Put on some fun music (I like A Profoundly Funky Dance Party mix on Google Play). Consider this a Quickfire challenge...Set a timer (challenge yourself to see how many pairs of earrings you can create in an hour...or 15 minutes... or make one pair a day for 7 days... whatever works for you!). DON'T think about it too much (leftovers are supposed to be easy!), just make it happen. Sometimes the best things happen when you are on a deadline and you can't afford the time to overthink!

Finally, share your bounty of tasty Leftover Transformation creations on Friday, December 18th with the InLinkz party right here. I would be surprised if you didn't make multiple pairs of earrings from this exercise. The bonus is that you will now have a ready-made collection of quick gifts for stocking stuffers, teachers, co-workers and friends just in time for celebrating all the winter holidays and festivities! (Or a different pair for you to wear each day until the new year!)

In the spirit of giving, I will offer a giveaway of a Simple Truths Bundle of the winner's choice from my website, valued at over $40. But in order to be chosen, you have to participate in the blog hop starting on December 18th! Winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries on December 25th (that will give you one full week to make your Leftover Transformation magic happen!).

Let's get this leftover party started...tell your friends to join in the fun, too!

 

18 comments:

  1. Wow Erin, what a great idea!!! I think I'd break my camera if I took a picture of my work table though. :)

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    1. :-P
      I am sort of dreading taking that picture...but it will feel sooooo good to actually make something with this mess! I hope that we get a lot of participation on this one!

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  2. I love this idea! And it gets me back to beads... always a good thing!

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    1. Woohoo! SO happy to have you along for the ride. This is going to be FUN!

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  3. Sounds fun! My table is pretty tidy at the moment, though. Perhaps I'll need to make a mess!

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    1. Teehee! No need to make a mess. Just grab a tray and start filling it up. My room is never tidy....

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  4. Fantastic idea! I have a big messy pile of leftovers and WIPs.

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  5. What a great idea! I simply can't do this one, but I hope to get it on next month. You have great imagination, Erin. :)

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    1. Feel free to participate any time you can jump in. It is supposed to be quick and easy (or I simply won't do it!). I will watch for you in a future month. But you can always jump around and comment on everyone's posts for the reveal. It is fun!

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  6. Oh this sounds like fun! But I may have to tidy the mess a smidge first :)

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    1. No tidying first! I will show my real space if you will!

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  7. This is such a great idea. I have almost totally stopped making earrings to the point that the last time I tried, I didn't like any of them and just gave up. No overthinking. Quick like a bunny, here I go!

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    1. Make it a fun challenge for yourself! Gather supplies. Set a timer. Put on festive music. Or maybe make one a day. I know that I tend to overthink as well. This will be fun!

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  8. your studio sounds like mine. including the ever patient hubby, who's only comment is "looks like your stuff exploded in here. " IF I can find my work table I hope to participate in this challenge. I often do marathon earring sessions amidst the mess, and sometimes my muse is NOT amused.

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    1. When it starts to creep into the hallway outside my studio (as it is right now....) that is when I get the stink eye. Let's get the Muses hopped up on caffeine and fun music and kick them into high gear!

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