Really, Really Outside The Box

My little sister had this string of huge black beads lying around at my mom's house, that was being abused. As in, these kids were hitting each other with them when they weren't being left between the couch cushions. So I asked to take them, thinking maybe I could figure out something nice to make with them. But they were kind of huge, so I set them aside and waited for inspiration to come along.

 Tah-dah! Striped and zany and chic. I combined them with some paint-splatter black and white beads and striped seeds that I never thought I'd use like this. Went asymmetrical, completely outside my 'monochromatic' box and got creative for a change. Never again will I write beads and components off so quickly for being too big, or too this, or too that, or anything. I can't wait for my next trip to Michaels!
I bead almost every day, so be sure to check out my studio when you're looking for unique, handmade jewelry

Outside the Box

There are two sides to "thinking outside the box." Sometimes the box is a good thing. Keeping a box allows you to perfect it, and it's various sides and aspects will gleam from all the polish. Then there's that stubborn one that shows so much promise but yet won't line up the way it's supposed to; the flaps are nonadjacent, and you're about to chuck the whole thing all together... but a new idea dawns and you begin using tools outside the clumsy box to make it right. Good Times.
Fifteen years of jewelery making and the possibilities are always staggering. See the results of my favorite "formulas" here: www.artfire.com/users/Drunkenmimes