Every once in awhile, I find it is necessary to throw in the proverbial towel, throw up my hands and cry "UNCLE"!! Such was the case this past week when I went back to the project that I began working on in my recent Beaded Wire Bracelet class. (You can read about the class here.) Deciding to try another Tac , giving up on what is already underway is always a valuable lesson and one that I must always remind myself, can be a strong teachable moment. Still the frustration level is very high and the waste of time factor defiantly feeds my frustration!!!
The bracelet was crafted using black enamel coated 16 g wire for the frame and Blue Steel enamel coated 26 g wire for the bead work. AS I progressed I started to notice that the Blue Steel enamel coating was flaking off the 26 g wire. NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!! With each turn of the wire, more color was flaking off the thin wire and the project looked terrible, really bad. No way to continue- FULL STOP!!!
The temptation to put it all in a bag and stuff it at the back of my beading boxes was also very strong. Out of sight out of mind! Ever been there?? Ever done that????? ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Relief!!
I have begun again with new Titanium 26 g wire- no coating to flake off, and the same 16 g black frame and the same beads- different bead work though as I never plan anything and the beads and wire begin a new conversation and tell me where the placement should be.
It is always good to be reminded that to deconstruct a project and to begin again, is always a better path than to continue with sub standard materials.
The phrase Garbage in Garbage out comes to mind!!!
A good lesson to be taught again and again, even in our art adventures!
5 comments:
Garbage in garbage out was always a favorite of mine too. Nice work there oh bead goddess. xox Corrine
I totally agree with you. It's no use trying to fool yourself when you know in your heart that something's wrong with your project. It's better just to accept that you'll have to rip out that seam, unravel that wire, change that colour, and then do it. Good luck with your project!
Elizabeth,
Starting a project over can be so frustrating, especially when it took so much time. But it's true, sometimes the best course of action is to start again. Better to spend time on a false start than to spend hours staring at a piece you don't like and wishing it was better.
When I don't like a piece, sometimes I wait a few days, a few weeks, before I take it apart -- once I've forgotten how much work went into it. I rarely regret the decision!
I'm new to your blog, Elizabeth, but I enjoy reading it. I know exactly what you mean about the frustration when something isn't going well, and how the wasted time figures into that frustration. But, not being satified with something is just as bad. So, rip it out and move on is all you can do!
Oh, hon, that sucks! Glad you got it worked out. I am a beader, and avoid most colored wire because of that problem - same with silver plated. Try Artistic Wire - that stuff is pretty good! I've used it without problems, even on wrapped loops.
Your bracelet looked beautiful, despite its woes. Never be afraid to start over! :)
Post a Comment