A CHANGE IN DIRECTION
.....Sort of.
Most of you know me as a fractal artist and or photographer, but years ago before the severe Carpal Tunnel (CT) I worked with glass and gemstone beads doing repair and design. I eventually started my own small business and repaired/designed bead and pearl strands for about 25 stores here including repairs of costume jewelry for a large west coast chain. That ended in 1992 with the development of the CT.
Since then, I have had to continually re-adjust my creative drive to adapt to the cranky arm. We all know that if you're an artist – the art has to come out some way! By late 2007/early 2008 it was to the point that I had to turn mostly to photography as the CT had worsened. Doing computer work had become nearly impossible for too much of the time. (I won't give up fractals or photography completely)
Photography helped my arm rest but then came this last winter of 2009/2010 – and it has not been a good winter weather-wise for many really good photos. Coupled with the fact that the arm was not cooperating at all – I was going nuts trying to think of something creative to do!
It occurred to me that maybe I could take up the beadwork/jewelry work again – IF.....I did it a bit differently and – VERY slowly. I normally had hand-knotted beads which takes a lot of fine finger work, so I decided to switch to metal/chain/wire work which by handling pliers, uses the larger muscle groups.
For the past 3 months I have been slowly working on some new necklaces – doing maybe 1 a week instead of 2-3 a day. If my arm starts to hurt the slightest I back off until I can feel the soreness no longer – however long that takes. So far so good – until yesterday. I was making my daughter a birthday prezzie and out of the blue with no warning the severe pain came on. (usually I get warning which allows me to stop before it gets too bad) Fortunately for me, I already had a few necklaces done and will start submitting, while I wait for the arm to get better.
I hope you enjoy seeing the "old creative side" of me and while I won't be able to submit often, I will try to keep the quality high.
As far as being back...I don't like to make a big deal of things. I just missed all my friends and it's impossible for me to build a new account and following anywhere else due to the CT. I'm here for my own reasons – not anyone else's.
For anyone wondering about the CT...my Endocrinologist and I finally have been able to attribute my CT to my Grave's Disease which is Autoimmune. (many doctor's do not know it can cause CT). While the Thyroid can be treated, the autoimmune part of the disease affects nearly every body system and has no cure, including the CT. It's rather like battling a dragon that won't ever go away no matter how many times you vanquish it. I have learned to wait for the good days.
As a former nurse, I have spent 2 years researching it - if you want to know more about Graves' here are links from reputable sources: emedicine.medscape.com/article…, www.cmaj.ca/cgi/reprint/168/5/…, www.thyroidmanager.org/Chapter…, www.thyroidmanager.org/Chapter…, graves.medshelf.org/SymptomsTo ALL of you who have been so supportive over the last 4 ½ years I owe you a huge debt of gratitude! THANK YOU! You have inspired me, comforted me, (a few have chastised me, wink, wink), made me feel accepted and caused me to laugh when I needed it most. You ALL rock and are the best!!
Huge Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
Anita – the artist chameleon
