>Purple Beads

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Here, you can see all of my purple beads. This photo makes them look blue, but in person, they look somewhat purple to me. I snapped this photo using a flash so that you can see the different shades of seed beads. I'm working mostly from the pile in the middle, and I've mixed 2 different shades of purple, which is very unlike me. And, look at the needle I'm using. It has quite the bend to it. I've been using that needle for at least 7 months now. How much longer do you think it will last??

Suggested by my friend Nina, today's guest is Jimi Hendrix. Jimi was born in Seattle, WA on Nov. 27, 1942, and he is also the first American musician who is worthy of my semi-beaded sofa:) Jimi Hendrix is considered to be one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of rock-n-roll. Although he was left-handed, he played a right-handed Fender Stratocaster that was turned upside-down and restrung. He was also famous for playing feedback sounds during his performances. Jimi played Woodstock in 1969, and he died in London in 1970 at the age of 27.

I have a very interesting story that involves one of Jimi's songs. Recently, one of my friends was out of town, and we had been keeping in touch via text-message photos. One evening, I had the urge to take a picture of a very cool jukebox, and send it to my friend. I sent the photo with the title of the song I chose to play: The Wind Cries Mary. That's one of my favorite Hendrix songs because I love the guitar solo. Anyways, the next morning, I received a message back from my friend. He responded with a photo of Jimi saying that day would have been his sister Mary's 42nd birthday. I was stunned. I knew Mary died suddenly just 3 years ago, but I had no idea when her birthday was... As soon as I read that message, I began to cry. I'll never be able to listen to that song again without thinking about how lucky I am to still have my sister...