The Great Hobby Search

This past fall, Spencer, Grace and I were wandering about through a local, outdoor Arts Festival. As we walked, we talked about which of the arts displayed we could see ourselves really getting into. I chose jewelry making, mostly because I love earrings and saw it as an "easy" way to accumulate LOTS of them.

Spencer chose glass-blowing. He's always thinking big. Watch out, Chihuly.

Once this lovely, little stroll down artsy-lane came to a close, I thought very little about our conversation. I thought a lot about starting up new hobbies, but kept all of them theoretical. I'm really good at having theoretical hobbies. In my mind, I'm quite the seamstress. :) And, periodically, I do a fantastic job of refinishing imaginary furniture.

Spencer, strangely enough, thinks theoretical hobbies are silly.

Now, if you looked up supportive in the dictionary, no doubt you'd find a little, smiling picture of Spencer sitting next to it. Spencer thinks I can do anything. I can't, mind you, but because I know that Spencer thinks I can, sometimes I dare to dream. That is, stop dreaming and turn my theoretical hobbies into reality. :)

For Christmas, Spencer surprised me with a simple jewelry making kit and a few beads to begin with. The part I like best, however, is that he sat with me for the better part of Christmas afternoon and helped me make my first creation:

I know it's not much, but I felt pretty good about my first attempt. I twisted and bent all the wire and was surprised at how simple it was. There's a lot I still have to figure out (the necklace doesn't hang right most of the time...), but...I'll get there.

And I'll have you know, I've already made at least three more fantastic pairs of earrings in my head.

And, as if that wasn't enough, check out this beauty that came to live with me on my birthday:

How many people can say that they have a hand-crafted, literal jewelry tree? Far too few, I tell you. Far too few.

That Spencer; he's done it again.