Senior editor Naomi Fujimoto and I participated in High Interest Day at a local elementary school this morning. In addition to our beading class, the kids had the option of taking classes on magic, foreign languages, pizza-making, beauty school, hip hop, fire safety, yoga, and popcorn-making. It was a great experience — the kids were energetic and engaged, yet also respectful and well behaved. And they were all very creative!
As the kids were finishing up their bracelets at the end of the first hour, I asked if they planned on keeping them or giving them away as gifts. (Mother's Day is just around the corner, you know.) Almost every student responded with an enthusiastic "Keeping them!"
I was pleased that the kids liked their bracelets so much, and their reply made me think about my own tendency to give away most of the jewelry I make. I love giving jewelry as gifts, and I think that most people really appreciate the thought and effort that goes into it. However, it might be time to start building my own jewelry stash a bit, too.
What about you? Do you prefer to keep your jewelry or share it with others? If you do both, how did you find the balance that is right for you?