I'm usually very proud to wear the jewelry I've made; I'm just loathe to admit I made it for fear people will think I'm fishing for extra compliments.   Which is bad, in a way, because I think I would like to try to sell what I make.  I mean, one can only wear so much!  Gotta justify the bead buying, right?  

 
I think the necklace is lovely, and no, I don't think anyone will look down on you for your handmade beauty.  I think most women will be green with envy as they look at their boring, store-bought, mass produced items.

 

I wouldn't worry about what people will say or think about your jewelry - chances are you'll hear a lot of "I wish I was creative like you".  That's the most common response when you make something beautiful.  Personally, that statement drives me nuts - I feel that 99% of 'uncreative' people just aren't trying hard enough.

And if people do turn their noses up - like they seem to do about scrapbooking - then just feel sorry for them, I say!  You know how relaxing and enjoyable being creative is, and they're just missing out.  I suspect anyone that doesn't respect your interest in hobbies is probably jealous that they're all thumbs when it comes to making something aesthetically pleasing.  Or maybe they just like to poo-poo in general.  Would they make a fuss if you were obsessed with baking pies?

Be proud of what you do, and be your own best customer.  Everything else is just icing!

Morti

PS - I understand being nervous about what to wear at a wedding.  My sister-in-law is getting married in three weeks, and I'm obsessing over losing a few pounds in the meantime.  Girls, eh?

You are both so right! I know when I make it I will be proud of it (provided it goes well, and the wedding isn't until the beginning of October so I can take my time and make adjustments if necessary) so all I need to do is keep hold of that pride and go to the wedding with my chin up (to better show off the necklace, lol!).

I feel so much more confident now, thankyou! *thinks...Bead&Button as self -esteem therapy?!?!*

Know what you mean about family weddings Mortira! I don't think I'd be stressing at all if it was just a wedding of friends. It's that face that mothers do, where do they learn it?! Don't worry about those few pounds - chances are it's only you that will notice. I say get some of those knickers (panties!) that have, like, scaffolding in, lol! They work wonders. Or even better, wear a beautiful piece of jewellery you have made to draw their attention away from any areas you aren't happy with. Hell, part of the beauty of the necklace I intend to make is that hopefully nobody will be looking at my fat arms!

I'm glad to hear you've decided to make and wear the necklace!  Most likely what you think other people say about your jewlery and scrapbooking is quite the oposite of what they really say.  It's your own insecurities that are giving you trouble.  As the other ladies have said, wear it with pride.  It will be quite an accomplishment, and a beautiful piece of work!  Alice 

Hi Louweasel,

I followed the link to see your necklace (it will be fabulous), and then to the main page for the magazine. They've posted a correction to the pattern. In case you hadn't seen that I wanted to try and give you a heads-up. Good Luck!

Alli

Hi Louweasel 

I totally agree with what everyone else has said on this topic - and would add that you shouldn't be too surprised if you end up with an order for a necklace like yours, by the end of the evening ;-)

What about suggesting that you make the bride's necklace too? I recently made my dear cousin's wedding jewelry (Fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystals) and received a lot of very positive feedback.

 Enjoy and have fun

Amanda

Wear your necklace and enjoy it! Almost every piece of jewelry I own is something I made and I wear the stuff all the time. When someone comments on a piece I'm wearing, I usually say "thanks, I made it." I've never had a negative reaction but a number of people have then asked if I sell my jewelry (which I generally don't because I always miss it afterwards).

As to your questions about whether people will think you're weird, they might but who cares? You can always come back here for positive. There are any number of us who'll be happy to point out that those people who have no imagination or sense of style.

I generally wear jewelry that I've made. There's no better way to compliment an outfit than making jewelry to match. It's also my best form of advertising. And it works. Your choice of the Rose Garden looks stunning, as stated in the pattern instructions. Try this out on your family: pretend that it's a purchased piece and see what their opinion is. If they approve of it and then look askance when they find out it was your creativity that produced it then you know that they're daft, not you. ;-) If they disapprove in the first place you'll know that your taste and theirs just don't coincide.

NoPunyNerd, I started photographing the jewelry I make when I started missing pieces I'd sold or given as gifts. Not quite the same, but it's the next best thing.

Definitely wear your jewelry to the event! What a great compliment to them that you would go to all that effort in order to look nice. And, where else can you get a piece of jewelry that matches your gown perfectly!

If anyone is discouraging, use the USA Southern woman comeback, "Well, bless your heart dear, it's a shame no one ever taught you to appreciate beautiful things."

Hi!

I know how you feel!  I felt the same way for quite some time and then thought 'What the heck, I like it so why not wear what I made?' I got many compliments on the necklace I wore and that gave me confidence to make more and wear them all!  I make necklaces and bracelets that are not of the norm- nothing trendy but always of my own design and those are the ones that I get the most compliments from.  People are always amazed at the time I spent working on a piece, but it's always well worth it.  So... go ahead and wear your creation with pride!  Chances are you'll get a lot of compliments and maybe a request or two for one of your creations! I also make pieces as gifts for friends and they are always telling me about the good things people have said about the gift I gave them.  It's a wonderful ego booster!

Hi!  I agree with the other posts.  Wear your necklace with pride!  It's beautiful!  Most everything I wear every day is of my own making and I get compliments from those who appreciate the effort and the desire and the others.....well....they have their own thing and I just don't worry about it.  I don't pay much mind to the folks that are not interested.  If it is not what some people deem "art" or "beauty" = no worries!  Pay attention to the compliments and you just might find that wearing what you make is a special gift and that others will either admire your ability or will ask for you to make one for them!  Good luck!  =)

I would not be ashamed or think it silly to wear your own work.  That is pretty much all I wear.  I work pretty hard at making nice pieces and feel proud and confident wearing them.  When I make new things, I like to "test drive" them to make sure they are of the best quality workmanship.  I do get compliments on my work and enjoy any good feedback that I receive.

So wear your own work and be proud of it.

What the heck do they mean  -  do I wear what I  create? If I didn't love it, I wouldn't have made it - I thoroughly dislike making the same pattern a dozen times or more for commercial purposes. (I've done it, both retail and wholesale.  I felt it cheapened the product and it was boring.)  Then I did wear what I could for advertising. Now, I make what I want to and if it is mine wear it with pride - a lot of me work is made for family or friends by request.  If someone asks if I made what I'm wearing I'm proud to say yes.  I'll take an order for a piece - makes pocket money - but always warn that handwork seldom turns out clones. 

 Make that lovely necklace!  Wear  it and be proud.  A couple of weeks ago, I was wearing one of my beaded crystal necklaces, and a lady bought it off my neck.  First time that's ever happened, but it tickled me!

 Chris (http://ninth-dimension.com)
 

Go ahead and wear the necklace. I have seen it in Bead magazine and it is beautiful (very mouthwatering) I got over people not liking the things I made by making all my friends something for them to wear. It's lovely to see them wearing my creations. And I get some lovely comments. Be proud of your creative ability. Even shop bought things had to be made by some one.

i read how you were worried about wearing your beautiful Rosegarden to a wedding, and i just want to say that it's wonderfully Beautiful, and i believe that if you worry about what everyone thinks about anything, then you need us to tell you not to worry!  who cares what busy bodies say...they don't matter. you did a wonderful job making that piece, probably hours and hours went into it...days and weeks..?  wouldn't surprise me. wear your Pretty to the wedding, that's what we do! that's what THEY do, so if anyone complains, just smile at them and realize they are jealous and have nothing better to do than judge others.  you may suggest to them that they should take up beading, so they won't be so bored that they have too much time to judge. LoL..."huh, she hasn't made an effort for my special day, turning up in a bit of old tat she's cobbled together herself".   ROTFL!

ok, that was too funny what you wrote. :)  you have a great sense of humor....just use it on the dafted. ;)
...family....<sigh> they just don't understand the 'need to bead'

and p.s. ....i live where the tree-huggers live, literally. they just climbed down the other day when the lumber co. got new owners. ;)  oh, link to my literal tree-hugger photo. ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wing69/434494757/in/set-72157600775042063/   hope it makes you laugh. ;)

Daft? Hardly! More like jealous! Where it with pride. That looks like quite an accomplishment. Maybe friends would want one made for them.  Have fun with it, you earned it!

Wendy Lucka, Germantown, Wisconsin,USA

Just to let you all know, this project is well on the way! I think at least three-quarters done. If I do say so myself I think it is going to be stunning and I'm feeling much more confident about the whole thing. I was also talking to my mum on holiday and she was saying how she loves the things i have made for her and how she always tlls people, 'my daughter made this' so that was a lovely boost.

 Thanks for all the encouragement!!

Don't worry about what other people think - if your beads make you happy - wear them. Other people might be thinking "I wish I had a beautiful necklace like that". Though I don't crochet things for jam jars I am a bit of a hippie - Birkenstocks on my feet and flowers in my hair - but I've always had a positive reaction from people about my beads. I think people who don't like beaded jewelry just ignore it; most seem fascinated by the sparkle and some stop to talk and admire, even if it's not something they would wear. Enjoy your beads without fear!