Pearls before Swine

I thought I would be able to show you my knotted necklace last night, or even today. It turns out that I am a perfectionist about making knots. I'm not a perfectionist. I have never unstitched when I could fudge or cover up or stitch over (really!). I have never used a toothbrush to clean the house. I have never stayed up all night to get things just right (especially not for work or school). But when it comes to making knots between semiprecious beads, I've got to get them right. So I spent a lot of time taking knots out of silk cord with extra-long tweezers last night. (At home, I could use needles which worked a lot quicker.) At 10:10, I put in the last knot, but I need to glue it. Then I can attach the clasp. I will have to wait until next week to finish my necklace.

The necklace--which I might give to my mother--is made from crazy agate and goldstone. I'm totally in love with goldstone, and I may have to do many, many more pieces with it.

The pearl stringing teacher, Renee, was great! She was very patient, especially with me because it took me a while to get it. She even encouraged me to leave some of the knots I made in the necklace. (They were too loose! I was having none of it!) She commented on what a great group of friends we were. Given that of the 12 of us, only two pairs knew each other before, it is a great group. Everyone encourages each other, and everyone thinks I have a great eye for color. I never get tired of hearing that! It does, however, make me shudder when people pair light pink pearls with a medium blue lapis drop, or ruin a perfectly fabulous carnelian necklace by using a silver clasp. Am I allowed to discourage them? It's for their own good.