February 17, 2006
Portable beading.
Yesterday I talked a little about TSA guidelines and what’s allowed to be taken on an airplane in terms of tools and supplies. Today, I’d like to mention that it’s easy to bring beading supplies with you anywhere you have a “wait”, it just takes a little planning!
Two-three times a week, my son has an hour to 90 minute karate class. Every two weeks, I have an appointment where I have to sit quietly in a room for 30 minutes (my own personal time out, LOL). Once in a while, I get caught in a doctor’s appointment or other down time where I am “waiting” for someone or something else.
I always have a book or magazine in my car or office for unexpected wait times, as well as scratch paper (or even better yet, a notebook!) and pen/pencil to jot notes or sketches. When I know I’m going to have some down time, however, I’ll try to plan something a little more elaborate.
Tonight, for example, I grabbed an oversize tote my husband got me for Christmas, and dropped in a work in progress (contest entry for RingsNThings, if you must know!), tools, wire, and a small cup to toss wire components into while I worked. I was able to nearly complete the project during the time that I could have spent reading a month old Entertainment magazine or watching Madagascar. 
Instead of “wasting” precious time, I not only was able to gain significant progress on a project, but I also had several people asking me about what I was doing. (I supposed using my hammer and anvil to harden some wire probably added to the curiousity factor! I was told jokingly by one gentleman that “you need to find a quieter hobby!”) Working on jewelry in a public place adds to the knowledge that my work is handcrafted, and people are interested in watching a “demo”, which I always will gladly do as I’m working.
So next time you know you’ll be sitting around, with nothing to do but twiddling your thumbs, drop a half finished project into a bag and bring it with you. Who knows, you might just sell it before you even get to take it home. 
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