However, I am learning that the talents have been passed down yet again. My 14 year old daughter has been begging to paw through my studio over and over again. Out of fear of messes and lost supplies, I never let her do it. She always hints to me how bored she is, insinuating that she wants to be free in the splendour of the studio. The other day, I decided to throw caution to the wind, let her go and see what she can do. I figured the worst that would happen is that I'm out a little string or wire, but I can always recoup the beads from her terrible disaster. I sat her down to write a "Rules of the Studio" list we can post on the wall.
Rule#1 - Respect the studio and clean up your mess.
Rule #2 - Respect the tools. Any questions, ask Mom.
Rule #3 - Anything is fair game. Any questions, ask Mom. Except sterling silver and crystal supplies.
Rule #4 - NO WASTE ALLOWED!!
Rule #5 - Don't leave creativity at the door.
And...turn off all lights when done.
Now, anyone owning a studio will understand the possessiveness of it, and the fear that someone else will ruin it! This is a big deal to allow someone fair game in your haven of solitude! I gave her a box of junky glass beads intended for de-stashing on Etsy that are not high enough quality to work into my designs and cautiously closed the door behind me. After about half an hour, she emerged from the abyss of the sacred studio...and this is what she had:
It is a bracelet made from glass beads (some of them shaped like hearts) that she made for her best friend for Valentine's Day. After inspecting the piece (color choices are pleasing, spaces are even, wire-work is smooth), I praised her while she begged to go back in and make something for another friend. Feeling a little more relaxed about the situation, I let her go. Another half an hour later, she comes out with this:
Oooo...again, great color choices, tight string, glued tails...very nice! It is a glass candy cane bead and pebble bead bracelet with a glass dragonfly charm - toggle closure. Okay, Tayelor, I'm officially impressed. Great work for your first time doing it alone and not just watching me! I don't know who was prouder...her or me! I told her that she can go in the studio any time she wants as long as she adheres to he rules AND has her homework done. As you can see, she is very pleased about all this:
So...yesterday she comes home from school, runs to the kitchen table...spends a hour carefully toiling through algebra and biology (who are you and what did you do with my daughter!?) and disappears into the abyss of the studio. Two hours later, she comes down with more:
All Valentine's Day presents for her friends (the wood bracelet is for a male friend of hers...I did the wire hook for her, though. I have to get her a spool of junky wire to play with!).
Wow...did she surprise me! I am so glad I swallowed my fear and let her go. I really encourage anyone to do this with your kids (age appropriate, please!) because you just don't know what they are capable of doing! It's funny. Last night's conversation: "Mom, when I get better, can I open an Etsy shop?"
