Jean Campbell is the senior editor of Beadwork and a
contributing editor to Beading Daily

I sat down the other day to write a note to a dear friend. It read, "Hi, Henry! I've been running the hamster wheel a little faster than usual this month. In the last 4 weeks I've traveled to Denver, Portland, and West Palm Beach. I tech-edited the February/March issue of Beadwork, wrote 4 blogs, built a retail booth, orchestrated the construction of 200 kits, and helped design my personal website, all the while taxiing kids, helping with homework, and finding time to brush my teeth every once in a while."

When I re-read the note I realized how nuts my schedule has been. I'm thankful for all these great opportunities, but I know it's just too much. I also know I'm not alone in doing too much. Whether it's working a job, taking care of loved ones, or simply trying to make ends meet, I find that more and more of the people around me are waking up to the fact that they're just moving too fast.

So, my fellow hamster-dancers, what to do? Well, I for one, have decided to put my foot (and my derriere) down. I've declared the next few months a season of regeneration. There's a foot of snow on the ground where I live, and, like the strong oak trees that line the streets in my neighborhood, I'm going to spend the next few months quietly rebuilding my creative reserves. Part of this season will be about doing things for me, like cleaning closets. Catching up on my Mad Men episodes. Baking. Taking naps. But most importantly I'll spend those extra hours in my day exercising my creativity, designing new projects. And I'll certainly share my creative adventures all winter long right here on Beading Daily.   

Nice Rock by Dustin Wedekind

I'll admit, I'm not a huge square-stitch fan, but it's a wonderfully strong stitch that I know I need to embrace. This cigar-band style ring looks like a quick enough project that I'll have the patience to make it from start to finish. Plus, it'll be dang cute to wear.

Chinese Lantern by Joyce Zborower

I'm completely intrigued by this little wireworked cage pendant. Can't you just imagine the possibilities here? I could fill it with beads, charms, or even a little statue. The description in the store says "extremely easy," but I know I'll learn a thing or two about wrapping wire with this one.

Columbus Chain by Jeanne Jerousek-McAninch

This seems like such a versatile chain mail design! I'm eager to learn this classic-looking project. Who knows? Maybe I'll incorporate the pattern into the strap of one of my metalworked designs.

Basket Weave Links by Judith Wood

I find delight in tricksy beadwork techniques, and when it's done with a run-of-the-mill stitch like ladder, then I'm all up on it. I can envision all sorts of designs that might incorporate this basketweave design, and I have loads of bugle beads that are just waiting to be used.

Easy Felted Beads by Amy Clarke Moore

I've messed around with felting wool into beads a few times, but I think it might be a good idea to get some good tips from Amy Clarke Moore, editor of Spin-Off magazine (and one of the most creative people I know). I know that making these the proper way will encourage me to design something with the little fuzzies I produce. Plus, rolling wooly beads between my palms might be just the thing to calm this busy girl down.