So what ya into? (Your hobbies thread)

[ajax]

I've made lamps out of a clarinet and a trumpet, both from yard sales. Not as funky as a white armless manikin!

Ajax

[kinako mochi]

Okay one more hobby.

One of my buddies is into making prayer malas out of semi-precious stone, like sodalite, lapis, and jade, as well as many others. There're mostly for those traditions that rely on beads like rosaries to recall teachings (he makes those too).

Recently he taught me to make my own, and I like it because it's a very tedious task that forces you to focus on what you're doing, so it keeps my mind from wandering (the beads end up looking like crap, so you know where you're at). A lot of fun, not expensive, and people end up with something that can help others out with their own fears and doubts. Hand work is the shiznit.

One example, with 108 beads, a meaningful number in Buddhism. Knots between the beads mean no hair gets caught in them.
Sodalite is so nice to look at.

[Llewellian]

Well, i have a mix of hobbies ;o)

Reading Comics and collecting them (only french/belgian), following Webcomics, medieval and roman reenactment, fantasy and sci-fi live action role playing, leather working, sewing, sailing, hiking and cooking.

Oh - and reading books. Anything written...doesnt mind wich theme. SciFi, Fantasy, Realworld Stories, Science-Books, Learning books about languages, cookbooks and and and.... ;o) Oh yeah. And listening to 60ties to 80ties Music.

[amazon princess]

Ho ! one more thing !

I love making guys like tanukitsune faint with my sexy comments. Makes me happy

[azalea2]

...making prayer malas out of semi-precious stone...

Oh wow, that is gorgeous!

I like handwork, too. Do you have instructions for how to make these?

[kinako mochi]

Sure!

The ones I used are all 8mm beads

[azalea2]

*head spins*

I must take some offline time to process this information... =)

[Kestralyn]

[quote="kinako mochi"]Keeping the floss together is going to be a hassle, and you'll wish you had three hands. I hold one end in my teeth and the other with a big office clip screwed to the wall

[kinako mochi]

Oh, how to use a mala:

It is not denomination-specific, but if you are interested in how to use your mala if not only as a beautiful piece of jewelry, then here is what I do.

Malas were created to recall teachings, and to bring them to the forefront of your mind, so you can put some energy into contemplating them. This of course can apply to any tradition, as well as non-traditional uses (studying to recall a mnemonic, for example).

You take a phrase of the teaching or tradition you belong to, and concentrate on it while you hold the first bead next to the guru bead between thumb and first joint of the forefinger, or whatever feels comfortable to you. This way, what you're thinking about has a physical sensation in your body, and when you twirl that bead again, the opposite happens

[EdSaari]

Browsing here (I have an enormous curiosity) I wondered - seems like a Fly Tying Vise would be useful. Those hold *very* securely.

Like most things, there is SO much more to Beadwork" than meets the eye....

Could you PM more information, and a "price list"?

[kinako mochi]

Sure, Ed

[Elliot]

I've recently gotten into video editing like for short subject but I hope to do something with features too.

[Kestralyn]

I've recently gotten into video editing like for short subject but I hope to do something with features too.

We hadn't noticed, Elliot

Loved BananaMan!

[kinako mochi]

Welp, time to reveal another pasttime, art.

Inked illustration, to be specific. Here is an example from 2003

[Fhqwhgads]

Wow. Can't see the original but I don't think I need to. That's Quality's what that is. The big-Q Bob Pirsig kind.

Reading all these webcomics and seeing what people can do with a pen the last couple of months has really increased my desire to be able to produce something of Quality with a pen myself. I've just never never ever done it so I can't produce anything I like. No shock there I suppose but I'm sort of frustrated that I can't pursue all my top-level priorities and everything else all at once. I want, like, 48 hours to a day. Minimum. C'mon, is that too much to ask?

...

...Bah.

[kinako mochi]

I think the inspiration to create has to come first, the product second. You have to be as in love with the process and how it affects you as much as what you draw, or it just becomes to unpleasant to do. And if you understand that even if what you draw doesn't meet your standards, someday, given enough fuel, it will. Look at how far Pablo's art has come

[Ryalyn]

What is S&G?

[Fhqwhgads]

I do believe he's referring to the sh*ts & giggles thread down below with the gi-normous action/fantasy story that I'm sorry to say I have not had the time to enjoy fully yet.

Yay pictures! Dude it's always worth it Kinako :):)

'Gads, have you tried any other forms of creative outlet?

Well, I play bass & drums. Mostly bass. I wanna learn to draw like Pablo though. Or David Willis or (especially) Tatsuya Ishida. That guy's an alien, he's so good. I think what I'm crabbing about more than anything is the lack of time to learn to do everything I want, as well as I want. Which would (given the lack of 48-hour days) fall squarely into my area of responsibility re: prioritization & time management, etc. But I'm working on it.

[Fhqwhgads]

A kitty is a young cat and a canoe is made of plastic and I have no idea what you're all laughing at.

This still cracks me up every time I read it.

[Ryalyn]

I do believe he's referring to the sh*ts & giggles thread ....

Aaaahhh! That would make sense. That'd be awesome to see!!

Starts chanting Do it! Do it! Do it! etc...

This still cracks me up every time I read it.

[ajax]

Yes, Kinako, let's see some of your art! S&G would be a fine place to start, and there's a fanart thread in the main forum too.

Ajax (the dancing- and drawing-impaired)

[kinako mochi]

Kick. Butt.

'Kay. Here goes

[Fhqwhgads]

Oh man. There went my productivity for the next 3 months.

...Awesome.

[azalea2]

what, no:
* David Mack (Kabuki, especially Circle of Blood arc)
* Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise, say issues 1-12 of series #3)
* Stan Sakai (Usagi Yogimbo)

?

[kinako mochi]

Stan Sakai! I forgot all about Usagi Yojimbo