My days are much longer... and happier since I started beading rubber flip flops.
And it all began when a friend casually mentioned that this time next year (it was the height of summer then) I'd probably be beading flip flops. Hmmm, I thought, why wait till next summer?
I bought a couple of pairs of rubber slippers, brought out my bead boxes, dug out a Japanese beading mag and in less than an hour, I had made my very first piece (not pair yet) of 'art to be stepped on.' BUT I had a major problem attaching the beads. You see, I first made a bracelet pattern, intending to 'mighty bond' it on the strap of the flip flops later on. But the stubborn glass beads won't stick to the rubber!!!
And so my first experiment was a beautiful failure that I sheepishly showed off to the same friend the very next day. Happily she (and a few others) saw the silver lining behind it. That same night, I shoved the glue away and harnessed the rusty sewing skills that had more that once gave me the highest grades in Word Education.
In no time, my flip flops were selling like fishballs :-) and I had a 2-week backlog on orders!
And I 've said many times, I'd rather be doing this but it is the writing that feeds the passion. So friends when your orders are taking some time, there must be a script, a concept, or a magazine article getting in the way.
My wish is to one day meet a total stranger walking proudly (stylishly and comfortably as well) while wearing a pair BEADmama flip flops.
