Episode 3 # My New Findings

Episode 3
Place: University Dormitory

The friend with whom I had gone to see the handicraft exhibition, later contacted me and asked if I could repair something for her. It was a Rosary. A part of the knots were broken off and it needed to be made again newly. It was not something that I could just add a bit of a thread and finish.

This was the condition of the rosary. 

All I was thinking was that why would somebody want to repair a rosary. They could discard it and get a new one. But my friend said that the person who asked for the repair was not able to find anyone who could repair it for them and that it belonged to his/her grandma. They wanted it to be made in the similar knot pattern. So I said I can do it but would need some time to learn how to make such knots. But that was not all. It seems that this rosary is something that the grandma cherishes and that she would like to hold onto to it till her last breath. 

This background inspired me to put in more effort to do my best in repairing this rosary. And I decided to repair it before Christmas. But another shocking fact was that the beads of the rosary were made of  real stones which made it heavy. 

I took 4 days to repair it and this was how it looked.

This gave me ideas to do more with beads like weaved, knotted and elastic bracelets. I asked my friends where I could get beads and everyone told me the same place which is Dongdaemun Market.

 I searched the place through internet and found the market. It was right in front of the subway gate. There were buildings with 6 floors and each floor had different types of raw materials. Lace, Jean cloth, swatches, raw material for making clips earrings, blankets, tote bags and what not!!!

I wished I could own the whole building. Everything was so beautiful. 😍😍  I spent 3~4 hrs in beads section of that building. 

A lady saw me checking the beads at her store and asked me whether I make rosaries and I said yes. She showed the beads that were in fashion. She gave me a cup of tea. I asked her if she could teach me how to make the last knot for elastic bracelet and she showed me and told me that if there is anything else I would like to know she is ready to let me know. I bought beads from her shop and looked for more at other stores too. 

 These are some of the things I made using the beads. It helps me to think about new ideas and do more things with just beads and strings. 

Some days I decide that I will revise a certain portion of my studies and make one bracelet. Just to make the bracelet I try and finish studying as soon as possible. Its a reward I give myself. And its the best creative reward.