Chain of Thoughts...

Its amazing how one thought leads to another...

I was making a piece of jewelry yesterday for a friend P, and started thinking about her personality and all. I thought she used to be so quiet and almost formal earlier..much better now.

Me: Wonder if she talks more to others. Oh yeah, she talks to her colleague, J
change scene to cafeteria, where we are all having lunch

J: I used to live in LA earlier
P: How long were you there?
J: *mumble mumble*...I lived East of Hollywood

Back in my work room
Me: Hmm...Hollywood...I wonder if people think everyone in Hollywood is in the movies. As if everyone in Mumbai is related to Bollywood and movies. Nah.

Bollywood...why do all Miss India's become actresses? Being pretty doesn't necessarily mean they can act. Priyanka Chopra is ok though...

Priyanka Chopra...she was good in Fashion. Who was that other girl...with a shrieking  voice...Kangna

Kangna...bangle...why would anyone name their kid bangle? Well, if they can name them Payal, then why not Bangle. And if anklet and bracelet are ok, then why not name their kid "Angoothi"

Logically, this should have led to me thinking about making "Angoothi" since I was making jewelry at the time. But the chain stopped there because the name "Angoothi" sounds weirrrrrd.

So...from how shy a person is ... to ... would anyone name their child a "Finger Ring"

I like my mind, keeps me entertained ;-)

So...what was this new thing?

I think a lot of you know what my "new thing" was...

My handmade jewelry exhibition and sale :-)

This is something very very very special to me...in more ways than I can count!
But I'll try...

FINALLY found something that can hold my attention for more than a few weeks! I am truly amazed about this. I had tried soooooo many different ways of letting out my creativity...singing (I sang at a few public events), dancing (been the attention grabber of every dance floor I have ever been to), writing (...ahem....am doing that here), photography (I still like it...but not as motivated as I used to be), sketching, painting, etc (was fairly good at it, but decided it was not quite for me), fashion design (not sure where that bug went off to...I guess its still there somewhere on the back burner), crochet (too repetitive)...and I forget if there were more.

None of these, what I thought were my passions, survived for more than a few months. And then I accidentally stumbled upon making jewelry. That's a long story for another post...how all of this came about. The short story is that I gave myself a year to have something like a shop. And I did it in 9 months! Never thought I would have the patience, perseverence and whatever else is needed for this. I am still shocked, is this really me!?

Here's the first pair of earrings I ever made (and I think these are one of the prettiest ones too...bad pic though :(()

And here are pics of some of the pieces I had put up at my exhibitiion

First Handmade Jewelry Exhibition and Sale

I have always been a very very late riser....if I could have my way, I would get out of bed only when I am hungry ;-) And, I still can't believe this, I actually wake up at 6, and some times even at 5 to work on some of my projects. I dream of it, I stare at people's ears and necks, and... well, you get the picture. I have finally found my passion. I think :-)

One more reason...I can actually put into use all, or at least most of my other interests.
I have tried using crochet in a few of my pieces, and have plans for adding embroidery, painting and sewing in the mix. And of course, I now have a real reason to sharpen my photography skills, think about what settings I need to use to make the picture look as pretty as the piece of jewelry itself, learn about lighting, shutter speeds and what not. So its all good :-)

And finally, one BIG reason I am so thrilled about this is that the proceeds from all my sales will go to Project Why. I have always wanted to do more than just donate. Tried volunteering at one place here in the Bay area, didn't like the experience. Not brave enough to actually go and do the real work that needs to be done. But this seems like a middle way, I do something I enjoy, create something beautiful (yes, i think it is, and you better agree ;-), and also help out the little kids of PWhy. A win-win for all I think :-) Maybe the thought that there was actually a purpose to what I was doing was what kept me going. Don't know...whatever it is...its all good :-)

Ending with pictures of some of my favorite pieces (for those lazy ones who did not want to click on that link ;-))

Awright folks! Have a fantastic 2012 while I wonder where this "new thing" will go in this new year!