A Very Mery Unbirthday challenge

That's both a mouthful and a strange idea!

What in the peaceful world is an 'Un-birthday'? Well - is Mr. Rabbit's way to celebrate every day that's not one's birthday (if you haven't yet, I hope you'll read Alice in Wonderland, it's one of the loveliest books ever) - and Marlene's and Shelley's way of implementing it with a swap.

This time my partner was the wonderful Ginger Bishop. When Ginger mentioned she's in Japan I recalled her immediately from the first Bead Soup I participated in. I don't remember the jewelry she made, but I still have the memory of the lush vegetation she used as a prop and for some reasons it stayed with me it's somewhere in Japan. We talked about ourselves a little bit and found out many things we had in common (our sons turn 10 almost withing a month from one another, add to that my hubby and her son almost share a birthday too!), down to what we love to wear. She's a 'Diamond' birthday girl, I am an Emerald (I know - precious girls, aren't we?!) so we had to work around the 'specifications' a little bit.

I agonized over what to make her. I actually made 2 different pendants - one was almost a loss (I salvaged it in the end, but I couldn't send it as a gift, even if I still love it and wear it almost daily), the other one I tinkered a bit too long with it (there is something to be said about knowing when to stop; in fairness I knew when - I just couldn't, the glass kept popping out... but it was a great learning experience).

So here I was - learning a lot, but still having nothing to show for it. Now I got into desperation mode: the deadline to mail our gifts passed, the child was being sick again and I had to do something!

One thing has worked for me very well so far: when in doubt, go back to basics and KISS. Seems fit to KISS for a birthday gift, doesn't? Keep it simple (stupid) I did: the argentium wire came out, the jig was put together, swirl, swirl, hammer, hammer, wrap, wrap, attach, attach - yes, everything went into pairs... because... this is what went in the mail the next day:

Kiley: graceful (Argentium, Sterling Silver, Swarovski)

I agonized for weeks over what might Ginger reaction be. I love them, but then I love (almost) everything I make, so that's not a good measure. We both received our gifts on the same day - and, happily for me - Ginger loved the Butterfly Earrings!

I won't keep you any longer - I will just show you the beauty Ginger sent me: she created the most elegant and beautifully flowing necklace with the one material I longed for for a long, long time - sea glass. I wanted for so long to use or simply wear some - and now I have been given that opportunity by my lovely partner!

It went around my neck the very next day and I just love how it feels: graciously dancing and whispering of some unknown secrets of the deep. The pearls are just the perfect touch and the little sun keep me smiling and hoping I will see it for longer periods than 10 minutes here and there (this winter is brutal). I tried to will the summer into arriving and it actually worked for one day (yesterday we had a whooping 25 Celsius!)

Thank you, Ginger, for the wonderful gift - and thank you, Marlene and Shelley for yet another wonderful challenge.

Please make sure you visit Ginger to hear the story of the sea glass necklace (I am curious of it too!)

Then please visit the other participants - to learn about their own adventures in Unbirthday land!

Our hosts: 

Marlene Cupo

Shelley Graham Turner

Ali McCarthy

Alicia Marinache <= you are here

Anzia Parks 

Audrey Belanger

Cheri Reed 

Cheryl Dunham 

Chris Eisenberg

Christine Schlicht

Cynthia Machata

D Lynne Bowland

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell

Gina Hockett

Ginger Bishop <= My partner!

Gloria Allen

Janeen Burlingame

Joana Perez Stribel

Lori Schneider

Mary Govaars

Mischelle Fanucchi

Paula Gaskill

Renetha Stanziano

Robin Reed

Sherry Baun

Shirley Moore

Sierra Barrett

Susan Bowie

Susie Harris

Mowse Doyle

Cindy Muse

Ellie Grossman