help Kuci get his gf a christmas present

[Jaguar]

He used the word "adamant." And women aren't nearly as nuanced as men make them out to be sometimes. They like attention, which does not necessarily mean money. Time spent is probably more important to her than money spent. That's why I say he should make it himself.

[Boris Godunov]

He should use his own blood as pigment to paint it. Then she'd really know how much he cared.

[Nanimo]

There was a huge craze for creating your own bracelets and necklaces crystal beads in Hong Kong a good six or seven years ago. Loads of girls and women really got into it, creating some relatively complex designs. However, the main reason that this craze took a grip on almost every female in the region was because it was extremely easy to create the simplest of designs, and it still looked very pretty and delicate. Also, the fact that it was cheap, and that you'd made it yourself meant that if it did happen to snap or whatever, it was simple to mend.

The main materials were transparent fishing line, the plastic rubbery stretchy kind. So that it has plenty of elacticity, and the line can't be seen through the crystals.

There were two ways to join the ends, either buy some proper jewellery clasps, or tie the ends together so that you just have a loop of crystals. The fishing line should have enough elasticity for you to just stretch the bracelet over the hand.

The actual beads themselves were usually glass or plastic. During the craze, these could be bought for stupidly low prices in HK with huge varieties of colour and cut. I've found that most habedasheries in the UK sell some beads with a pretty poor range, and are incredibly expensive. However, if it's a one-off, then you might as well buy them , they're not going to break the bank. However, if you can afford it, I would go for Swarovski crystals.

The clasps can be bought in habedasheries too, go for the "claw" kind, rather than the twisty ones which are incredibly annoying and almost impossible to put on.

In fact, you should also be able to find earring attachments and things too. So if you're feeling incredibly patient, creative and loving, then you could do her an entire set.

Of course, it might not be to her taste, since they are really delicate and girly.... soooo... what you can do, is buy those coloured plastic clay things that you can shape and then bake until they're solid. So you can do whatever shape you want... big bright and chunky, tiny round beads, candy-shaped etc. I think it's called polymer clay, and the brand name is Fimo?

I'll be back with some image examples, and instructions for the crystal beads in a bit.

[Nanimo]

Originally posted by Jaguar Time spent is probably more important to her than money spent. That's why I say he should make it himself.

I have to agree here...

In fact, what would be nice, is if he makes one item, and if she likes it, teach her how it's done and they can go on to create the rest of the set together. That could be quite sweet.

[joncha]

Originally posted by Jaguar
He used the word "adamant." And women aren't nearly as nuanced as men make them out to be sometimes. They like attention, which does not necessarily mean money. Time spent is probably more important to her than money spent. That's why I say he should make it himself.

lol write her a poem LOL

[Jaguar]

That's a dumb idea, but she'll probably love it.

[joncha]

Please please PLEASE post it here if you do.

[Jaguar]

Oh yes.

[Nanimo]

Originally posted by Jaguar
That's a dumb idea, but she'll probably love it.

Ehhmmm.... only if it's not terrible....

Having had a re-think about the "money" thing, I think it would really depend on her tone when she said not to spend too much.

I think most girls would prefer to have something sweet and thoughtful.... however, if it also happens to be decadent and exquisite then it will be a bonus. Mmmm.... how shall I say it... if you knitted her a scarf using soft fluffy wool, then it would be really sweet and nice, and she'd definitely adore it and be completely happy with it. But if it was cashmere, then that would make it that little bit more lovely.

.... you could knit her a scarf in stripy colours?

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by joncha
lol write her a poem LOL

About Aylon Cerenkov? (sp?)

Perfect!

[Jaguar]

joncha and I were making snarky remarks about that.

THIS POEM IS NOT FINISHED

[joncha]

!!

[Elok]

Oddly enough, my GF is mildly synesthetic as well. She says the phone rings in pale pink. If you can call her a GF, given that I know her only online. Someday, maybe...oh well.

Wait, you know enough of her colored alphabet to spell her name correctly? Unless she's named "Ann" or something similarly short, that's an unusual amount of specific knowledge right there. That ought to be impressive all by itself.

Anyway, I don't think it matters if it's fancy, provided it isn't shoddy. Women will wear ugly craft products made by their children, just for maternal pride, but (I'm assuming) she's not your mother. And I'd make it a bracelet, so she can wear it discreetly without hurting your feelings if she thinks it's ugly despite your best efforts. Then again, you know her tastes better than us.

(Hmm...d'you think I've posted enough on topic to get away with asking Kuci which of his hands....aaah, better not risk it. We'll save that lame barb for another occasion.)

[Nanimo]

Examples of some nice simple DIY bracelets:-









Fimo bracelet... I wouldn't really try this unless you're really good with your hands....

[Nanimo]

Then some people go crazy:-






Froggy:-