Jeez, I just logged onto this site after not being active for a few months, and I was scrolling through my pictures when I realized that I haven't made any kandi-- singles, cuffs, masks, even perlers-- in almost two years. It's crazy to me! I used to love making something every day, and I had beads ALL over my room. Of course, now I have a puppy, so beads all over the room isn't an option, but I definitely miss making kandi. I loved the sense of community it gave me, and I definitely miss trading with other people, and wearing kandi in general. I always wore singles and cuffs up to my elbows every day at my school, and people would ask me to make them some, or they'd ask me what they meant. There was a lot to love about it! I miss it a lot, honestly.
I'm not really posting this asking for reassurance that I can start again, or that I'm still part of the community, because I have really drifted away from it.... but I think it's really interesting to look back at my kandi and realize I had so much, and from so many different people. It made me really happy, y'know? I think I'm really just posting this to vent someplace to people who understand what kandi is, and what it feels like to be in the community. When I try to tell other people, it's just like "oh, yeah, the bead stuff is cool," which is fine, but it's definitely about more than bead stuff. I made some really cool friends while I made kandi.... I think I'll start making some again soon, even if they're just singles~