Wednesday, August 7, 2013

A Necklace for Me (with Random Thoughts on Randomness)

On a recent visit to my Almost Local Bead Shop, I fell in love (for obvious reasons) with this little pendant:


Though it looks perfectly fine on a plain silver chain, I envisioned it combined with mixed green beads...


...casually strung in a random, irregular pattern.

But Randomness is difficult for me, as I am Addicted to Symmetry, and Very Fond of Repetition. So I compromised with...


...cube beads strung at regular intervals, separated by mixed beads in a carefully unregular pattern.

How hard it was to pick up the beads in no particular order! I even tried to come up with a formula which would give an appearance of randomness (no luck there).

All of which raises a philosophical speculation or three. What is randomness? That which is contrived cannot be truly random. Is true randomness achievable in a strand of beads? And if it were, would I like the results?


Never mind. I like my new necklace. It's casual, it's fun, and it has a bicycle on it - good enough for me.

~ ~ ~

Afterthought: maybe what I really wanted was not randomness, but spontaneity. (Within bounds.)

Do you prefer symmetry or asymmetry? Do random or spontaneous combinations come easily to you?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted by Mrs. Micawber
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34 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 7, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    I love your new necklace! You have a great eye for color and beading. I love symmetry, and start to stress if my project isn't symmetrical, but I admire 'randomness' on other people's items. :)

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:04 PM

      Thanks Cogaroo! I don't do much beading any more (except on commission) so it was fun to make myself something. :)

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 7, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    Symmetry all the way. I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

    Love the necklace. The colors on the beading is just beautiful!

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  3. BeedeebabeeAugust 7, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    I so get what you're saying! My mind tends to always lean towards symmetry, but I also like neat randomness. I do love how your beaded necklace turned out, and that bicycle pendant is adorable! :) Paulette

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:05 PM

      Thank you, Paulette - symmetry seems to be winning so far. :)

      Delete
  4. andamentoAugust 7, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    Ooooh, I like that!

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:06 PM

      Thanks Anne! I take it as a compliment coming from you. :)

      Delete
  5. MeredithAugust 7, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    Ah my friend I am just like you, symmetry is my thing even though I try to be a bit wild and do something crazy like string beads randomly every once in a while. IT is so difficult for me to do. I am a control freak, I need order, not random bead chaos. Love your necklace.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:07 PM

      Oh dear, I never thought of it as a control issue, but perhaps it is....

      But that's okay! Control is good. :)

      Delete
  6. ellenAugust 7, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    I am not certain about what I like, but I do KNOW for certain I love this creation of yours and what a wonderful serendipitous find. And, I do think that is matches that darling Miss T. to a T.
    xo

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:07 PM

      Thank you so much, e! I was thrilled to find that little pendant. :)

      Delete
  7. AstriAugust 7, 2013 at 7:58 PM

    That looks just like Iris. Random spontaneous symmetry for me. ;-)

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  8. BabajezaAugust 7, 2013 at 11:42 PM

    There is always repetition, a pattern ... ;-)

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:09 PM

      You are so right - even when I tried very hard NOT to repeat myself, I noticed that some sections were just like other sections. :)

      Delete
  9. ClaireAugust 8, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    Love your necklace Sue and trying to be random is a hard one.......
    I like symmetry but also appreciate asymmetry too.
    When I try to be random in my 'work' it turns out to be quite hard to achieve.
    Like abstract art, some peoples work looks like a 5 year old painted it but when you give it a go.......whoa, who would've thought it could be so hard to do......

    Claire x

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  10. silverpebbleAugust 8, 2013 at 1:25 AM

    Ooh I love your bicycle pendant. My favourite frock has bicycles on it - such a cheery image.

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:10 PM

      Thanks Emma - and your frock sounds delightful. :)

      Delete
  11. SandraAugust 8, 2013 at 2:19 AM

    I love that little bike pendant. You have had fun making it into a necklace too!
    In answer to your question, I quite like asymmetry, things arranged artfully in careless abandon!

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:11 PM

      Careless abandon takes quite a bit of artfulness, I find. :)

      Thank you, Sandra!

      Delete
  12. sueh617August 8, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    LOVE green! Love your necklace! Raised by a perfectionist, I once liked symmetry in everything. As I have aged, I prefer randomness which is like nature to me - imperfect yet very beautiful.

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:11 PM

      I like green very much too - it goes with everything, I think.

      Thanks for weighing in! :)

      Delete
  13. BethAugust 8, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    While I appreciate both, I always go right for symmetry. Like a pull I can hardly resist.Your necklace is so pretty. You did a great job. I probably would have put the bike on a chain, you took it to a whole new level.

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:12 PM

      Well, I did put it on a chain at first but it seemed so boring (also I have a shamefully large bead stash so I can claim this as de-stashing). :)

      Delete
  14. Stitchy Mc Floss August 8, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    Oh, I love your necklace...the beads are so pretty and the charm is perfect for you!

    I have to say I am a symmetry freak. I think that is why I love making doilies so much. :)

    Sending hugs and blessings your way dear friend.

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:13 PM

      Good point about the doilies - an asymmetrical doily just wouldn't look right. :)

      Delete
  15. kathy bAugust 8, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    I LOVE the green with they bicycle. I never would have thought to create that necklace. Hooray for you . Is T jealous?

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:13 PM

      Not yet ... but any day now I expect to get a demand for a turtle-size necklace....

      :)

      Delete
  16. Annie CholewaAugust 11, 2013 at 4:58 AM

    Repetition with variation, which is what you have here, always does it for me :)

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:14 PM

      Perfect phrasing as always! You have it in a nutshell. :)

      Thanks Annie.

      Delete
  17. SnowcatcherAugust 12, 2013 at 3:45 PM

    That turned out so beautifully! I can see it on you even across the miles! Love the beads you selected to go with the adorable pendant.

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    1. Mrs. MicawberAugust 13, 2013 at 8:14 PM

      It's getting plenty of wearing too. :) Thanks Deb!

      Delete

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