it's a bit like knitting, i'd imagine. i can sit on the sofa with a handful of beads and wire and pliers, and the hours vanish into each other. loop, insert, loop, stretch. the repetition is relaxing, even soothing, and i forget i'm doing anything at all.

unlike painting with watercolors or tending a garden, i know exactly the way it will turn out because it's how i planned it. if i make a mistake, i just chomp through the wire and start again.

there's something beautiful and comforting about that.

this is my latest creation. i call it sherbet.

the polka-dotted bead is my favorite.

it's heavy around my neck, but i'm getting used to it.