I am back....sort of.....

It’s about time I check in. And get back to something of a routine as far as my blog and my beading goes. Several of you have kindly sent me emails wondering what I was up to. So it is time I come out from hiding in my cave.

First, let me tell you just a little about my month long trip. In a word, it was FANTASTIC. And that doesn’t even adequately describe it. I have been on many trips. If you haven’t seen this: http://fantastictravel.topdoggerwebcentral.com/ take a look. This one was probably the most intense (and I thought that my trip to China was intense!).

India is a riot of colors, sounds, smells. Every adjective you can think of, good and bad could be used to describe India. There is nothing I could write that would come close to painting an adequate picture of what you would experience in India. There are lots and lots of people. Women dressed in colors and jewelry that would take your breath away. There are people so poor and deformed that could make the most hardened heart cry. The streets are jam packed with vehicles, cows, pigs, goats, the constant beeping of horns becomes a symphony of sounds that you will never forget. And you wonder why there aren’t more accidents since it is obvious that few pay attention to any traffic laws (assuming there are such laws in India).

The food was fantastic, even though we had most our meals in hotels. The street food was tempting and smelled wonderful. To avoid the risk of “Delhi Belly” we were steered away from it.

The thing I was most impressed with, was the friendliness of India’s people. A smile was always ready. I never once experienced any hostility or unfriendliness. Often when one of us would take a photo of someone, a group would gather posing, wanting their photo taken. Sometimes the Indians were just as curious about us as we were about them! I caught one young man taking a photo of me and another traveler. I smiled at him. Next thing I knew, a few of us were posing with him and some of his friends, and laughing. He jokingly offered me a marriage proposal!  How funny is that??

On the Ganges in Varanese

Bhutan was fabulous. In contrast, it is quite clean, cool and by far less crowded. The hike I worried about to Tiger’s Nest Monastery was challenging, but not as bad as I thought it would be. It took about 5 hours, a climb of 2000 ft in elevation from the trail head to the Monastery which was at about 10,000ft in elevation. The hours of hard work at the gym paid off!

In Bhutan. See the white line (monestery)above my head on the cliff? That is where I hiked to.

Nepal (Kathmandu) was a cross between Bhutan and India. Not as crowded or dirty as India, but not as clean as Bhutan. Of course, once you get out of the city and into the country, it is a whole other story. We did not have the time to venture far as we were there only a few days.

Steve is going through my 4000 or so photos. It is a job from hell, but once he is done picking out and editing the photos, he will add them to the travel website so you can see. I will let you know when it is done.

While I was away, I found out that I am the winner of the Revere Academy Scholarship for Beaders!! I was really shocked. I applied for it on a whim. I never win anything at all. But they deemed my work to be worthy enough to be the recipient of this wonderful opportunity. The scholarship is for a 3 day class plus $100 towards materials, hotel and transportation. I elected to take classes in making clasps and findings and a marketing class. I am really looking forward to it! It might just be the shot in the arm I need.

Since I have been home, I have not picked up a single bead, and have only picked away at a pattern or two. It feels really weird (the workaholic that I am) to be doing absolutely nothing in the evenings once I am home from work and the gym.

Yes, I am in a bit of a funk concerning my beadwork. This actually started before the trip. This “funk” is the main reason I have not posted to my blog. I have wanted to keep my negative feelings away from everyone. There are moments when I think it is time for me to hang up my beading needle and give my beads away. But I think that action would break my heart too much. But I do need a change. The rut I have worked myself into is perhaps not a good thing.

Perhaps some of you could help me out with my dilemma.

Yes, I still like making patterns. And I will continue to create them, however I need a change of focus. I need to do something new, something fresh. But not something everyone else is doing. I don’t want to put my energies into making crystal jewelry. Bead embroidery is nice, but too commonplace. I still like the idea of bead art (non wearable) but what to do other than the bead by number formula I have worked at for so long.

Anyone have any ideas, or thoughts of what projects you would like to see or do, if you only could figure out the process? What types of projects in general get you excited? Is it jewelry? Do you prefer small simple projects, or do you like the challenge of something a bit bigger?

I know, it is up to me to come up with ideas of my own. But sometimes a nudge or input from others is enough to kick my backend out of a rut and see things fresh. I welcome any input  and ideas that you might have.