December 19, 2007
Guitar strings are slippery things. They come coiled up in a packet, sort of like a condom, only they don’t like to be stretched out. You have to put one end into your guitar and pull it taut. It bends, it struggles, it sings. But it doesn’t like to be manhandled.
Enter Mitchell Voss, frontman for ShapeShifter and rhythm guitarist extraordinaire (in the minds of many). He’d never thought much about a used guitar string until he went and fell in love with an artist. Kerri is magic, he swears it, and that was before she went and started making art with his broken guitar strings. Thirteen different things, in fact.
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1. First, she wound some of Mitchell’s hair around a piece of string. “Look!” she cried, inordinately pleased with herself. “Instant dredlocks!” (he tried to keep from blushing, lest someone discover he’d tried this, himself, once.) 2. Then she took a number of strings, divided them into groups of three, and braided them around a strap of leather, which she turned into a very sexy choker for Mitchell. He wore it. 3. This fueled her ambitions, and she soon figured out a way to make the wire stay when bent. She made a charm for the choker. When Mitchell wore it to a photo shoot, girls everywhere coveted it. 4. Kerri’s next masterpiece was a blob that she designated as a Christmas tree ornament. Since Mitchell is usually on the road this time of year (preferably in Australia, where it’s summer), Kerri gave it to his mom, Sonya, who treasures it. 5. One day, Kerri noticed Eric using a book thong to mark his place in a book he was reading. He admitted it was a gift from one of the many girls he befriended on the road and then kept in touch with. Kerri found some beads and some of Eric’s used strings and voila. Eric had a return gift for that girl. 6. Bored one day on the bus, Kerri pulled out her stash of broken strings — by this point, she was collecting Eric’s as well, although Trevor’s were too thick — and made what she dubbed an abstract sculpture. It got left behind in a dressing room, or was perhaps stolen by a fan. At any rate, it’s gone. 7. One day in October, Kerri figured out how to make the wire form right angles — and stay that way. She got a small piece of wood from one of the roadies and snuck out shopping one day while Mitchell was giving interviews. She came back with a rubber rat that was supposed to be a Halloween decoration. She tucked it under the piece of wire, on top of the wood and, voila. Rat trap. The guys liked it so much, they took to putting it on the catering table in their dressing room. Watching girls encounter the rat right beside their food is a never-ending source of amusement. 8. By now, Kerri had a pretty good idea of things she could get the wires to do. So she fashioned a tiara for herself. It came out great. Problem was, Trevor stole it and wore it onstage a few times — and then gave it to a girl in the front row. 9. She tried making an earring out of the wire, but that was one of her few failures. 10. Thinking it would make the bus homier, she took the demo CDs and cassettes handed to the band by fans eager to have their band discovered, and hung them in the back lounge. Mitchell ripped them down and threw them in the garbage, not sparing the guitar strings Kerri had used as hangers. 11. It took a coffee mug to get the shape right, but Kerri wove the strings into what most people called a Dream Catcher, but what she called a Heavy Metal Nightmare Preventer. Eric stole it and hung it in his bunk. He claimed it worked. 12. Kerri bought a book about how to make chain mail, but gave up that idea as too time-consuming. That didn’t stop Daniel from trying it — and giving up, saying that the wire was just too hard to make behave. Kerri winked and said she knew. 13. At last, fed up with Kerri’s collection and the things she spent her days creating, Mitchell stole the unused strings and gave them to fans. While it was widely agreed that they made the best souvenirs, everyone missed Kerri’s creations. She largely stuck to pencils and paper after that. It was, after all, her preferred medium. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will try to link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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susiej.com
December 19, 2007 6:39 pm
That was so creative — and fun. Your writing did not need pictures — but they would have been nice!
Sandee (Comedy +)
December 19, 2007 7:06 pm
Very well done. Great imagination too. Have a wonderful TT. 🙂
Joely Sue Burkhart
December 19, 2007 7:25 pm
Oh, man, I’d love to have one of those dreamcatchers!! Great list as always.
ellen b.
December 19, 2007 7:31 pm
After reading that I would agree that a pencil and paper work well in your hand…
Nicole Austin
December 19, 2007 7:32 pm
LOL! Imaginative and creative. I like the idea for the choker.BR/BR/Happy TT!BR/www.nicoleaustin.net
Nicholas
December 19, 2007 7:40 pm
Very ingenious!
Moondancer
December 19, 2007 8:04 pm
How very creative, and eco conscious recycling like that 🙂
Lori
December 19, 2007 8:36 pm
Happy TT my friend. I hope all is well in your world:)
Sandy Carlson
December 19, 2007 8:41 pm
So many possibilities! And I thought the earring would have been a cinch!
bunnygirl
December 19, 2007 8:44 pm
I totally love this, mainly because I could see myself doing the exact same thing! 🙂
Country Dawn
December 19, 2007 8:54 pm
This does my groupie heart good! :)BR/BR/My TT is about A HREF=”http://www.countrydawn.blogspot.com” REL=”nofollow”family christmas traditions!/A
Ornery's Wife
December 19, 2007 9:39 pm
Very interesting. I have never tried to do anything with used guitar strings, and just the little bit of wire art I have tried in my scrapbooking with wire that is designed to be bent and molded made me realize it was not my preferred art form. Thanks for this fun and interesting list.BR/BR/Happy TT and Merry Christmas!BR/TM
Ornery's Wife
December 19, 2007 9:39 pm
Very interesting. I have never tried to do anything with used guitar strings, and just the little bit of wire art I have tried in my scrapbooking with wire that is designed to be bent and molded made me realize it was not my preferred art form. Thanks for this fun and interesting list.BR/BR/Happy TT and Merry Christmas!BR/TM
Ornery's Wife
December 19, 2007 9:39 pm
Very interesting. I have never tried to do anything with used guitar strings, and just the little bit of wire art I have tried in my scrapbooking with wire that is designed to be bent and molded made me realize it was not my preferred art form. Thanks for this fun and interesting list.BR/BR/Happy TT and Merry Christmas!BR/TM
xakara
December 19, 2007 9:49 pm
Very nice. 🙂 I love the creativity of it and the meta-creationism even more so. BR/BR/No wonder this is a must every week. BR/BR/Happy Thursday SusanBR/BR/~X
No Nonsense Girl
December 19, 2007 9:50 pm
Your writing is awesome Susan!!!BR/BR/Happy TT!!! Take care and stay safe!
Christine d'Abo
December 19, 2007 10:39 pm
See I could have used her when I broke a bunch of my guitar strings! They really hurt when they snap too. I love the dreamcatcher idea. 🙂
Christine d'Abo
December 19, 2007 10:39 pm
See I could have used her when I broke a bunch of my guitar strings! They really hurt when they snap too. I love the dreamcatcher idea. 🙂
Christine d'Abo
December 19, 2007 10:39 pm
See I could have used her when I broke a bunch of my guitar strings! They really hurt when they snap too. I love the dreamcatcher idea. 🙂
Lesley
December 19, 2007 10:57 pm
You know stringing a guitar is the one thing I know how to do. Playing it once the strings are on…no… But hey there is a start. Lots of great ideas. 😀
Carrie Lofty
December 19, 2007 10:57 pm
I hated changing guitar strings. Just impatient to keep playing 🙂
Shesawriter
December 19, 2007 11:15 pm
Now that’s inventive! :-)BR/BR/Happy TT!BR/BR/A HREF=”http://myirrationalities.blogspot.com/2007/12/thursday-thirteen-5.html” REL=”nofollow”My Thursday Thirteen #5/A
pussreboots
December 20, 2007 12:11 am
Thanks for stopping by. Happy TT.
Lara Angelina
December 20, 2007 12:19 am
Susan — loved your list! Great idea! My son plays in a band and boy, would he love to have some of these ideas!!BR/Great TT!!
Joyismygoal
December 20, 2007 12:53 am
truth or fiction? It is creative
cajunvegan
December 20, 2007 2:02 am
Maybe ShapeShifter could sell some of these on Etsy for a little extra cash. BR/BR/Fantastic list … as alwaysBR/BR/Please stop by and check out 13 Reasons I Should Be Getting a Promotion for Christmas Regardless of my Gender. BR/BR/Happy TT!
Robin
December 20, 2007 2:25 am
I want a guitar string bookmark!
Darla
December 20, 2007 7:03 am
Now that’s clever! So, have you tried making any of these things yourself?
pjazzypar
December 20, 2007 7:27 am
I like # 9. If she could have made that work it might have been marketable. Happy TT.
Emma Petersen
December 20, 2007 7:32 am
Happy TT! Loved it!
fullbodytransplant
December 20, 2007 9:31 am
The creative process is the most precious thing in life, and you just nailed it.BR/BR/Brilliant, wonderful, and very much appreciated.
karen!
December 20, 2007 10:17 am
This is a great TT. I love all the ideas you came up with for Kerri.BR/BR/Happy Thursday!
Kristi
December 20, 2007 11:12 am
LMAO!!! Love it, Susan, you clever girl, you!!! 🙂
Holly
December 20, 2007 11:13 am
Ah, 101 things to do with Guitar Strings that your mother didn’t tell you….BR/BR/Thanks for the birthday wishes!BR/Happy TT-13, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!BR/BR/Smiles,BR/BR/HollyBR/http://theabundanceplace.com
LA Day
December 20, 2007 11:18 am
Loved it, Susan.BR/Have a great holiday season!
julia
December 20, 2007 11:44 am
‘Heavy Metal Nightmare Preventer’ – that is a fantastic idea, Susan! I love the whole TT, all the discoveries Kerri made with her imagination. Especially the return gift to the fan who gave Eric a book thong.
Tempest Knight
December 20, 2007 11:57 am
I always love your TT!!!*wg*
amypalko
December 20, 2007 12:01 pm
I like the sound of the tiara. Might encourage my delusions of grandeur ;-)BR/A HREF=”http://liveslessordinary.wordpress.com” REL=”nofollow” Lives Less Ordinary/A
Robin L. Rotham
December 20, 2007 12:02 pm
God, and I’ve just been throwing away all my broken guitar strings! What was I thinking? 😉
Nap Warden
December 20, 2007 12:03 pm
Wow, great list…so creative!
Maddy
December 20, 2007 12:12 pm
How amazingly creative. But “Heavy Metal Nightmare Preventer” was my favourite.BR/Best wishesBR/BR/This is my calling card or linkA HREF=”http://whittereronautism.com/” REL=”nofollow””Whittereronautism”/Awhich takes you straight to my new blog.
PI
December 20, 2007 12:18 pm
Kerri sounds very creative and green and a great person to have around.BR/At least four of my grand-children have guitars. Wonder what they do with their old strings? I rather fancy a tiara.BR/Michele sends her best.
Sassy Lucy
December 20, 2007 12:21 pm
Number 11 is definitely my favorite. Awesome list I loved it…and Susan I have been meaning to do so but I plan to add you to my writing blogs roll soon. BR/I am an unpublished newbie, but I like to rub elbows with real talent. My T13 is up should you care to pop by.
Open Grove Claudia
December 20, 2007 12:30 pm
Poor Kerri. I wish he appreciated her more. Sigh.BR/BR/Happy TT!BR/BR/My TT is up: A HREF=”http://www.on-a-limb.com/?p=864″ REL=”nofollow”Reasons my life sucks! ;)/A
Believer in Balance
December 20, 2007 12:33 pm
You’re a very creative thinker!
Greatfullivin
December 20, 2007 12:35 pm
Very creative as usual! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great TT!
Aline de Chevigny
December 20, 2007 12:55 pm
LOL I love it. Happy TTBR/BR/Aline
gautami tripathy
December 20, 2007 1:07 pm
One very interesting Thursday Thirteen post. Michele sent me here to return your visit. BR/BR/Hey, I have read HP 7 too. I did not like it.BR/BR/A HREF=”http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com” REL=”nofollow”rooted/ABR/A HREF=”http://readingandmorereading.blogspot.com” REL=”nofollow”reading room/A
Rose Dewy Knickers
December 20, 2007 1:39 pm
Hi Susan, Michele sent me. I had no idea so many things could be made from strings. BR/BR/RoseBR/BR/xo
Dak-Ind
December 20, 2007 2:31 pm
greetings from michele…BR/BR/i LOVED this thursday thirteen. i have seen several peoples, but i think this was my favorite that i have seen thus far! BR/BR/makes me wish my brother would save his broken strings instead of pitching them. but then, i just ma not that creative or patient, so maybe its for the best.
Kaige
December 20, 2007 2:40 pm
We used to make these bizarre little snail art things out of DH’s old strings when he changed them.BR/BR/Yeah, where’s the picture of Trevor in the tiara!BR/BR/Happy Holidays, Susan!
storyteller
December 20, 2007 3:49 pm
What a creative T-13 and how ecologically appropriate. Waste not, want not. I guess it goes to show that in the right hands, nothing is junk! Thanks for sharing.BR/Hugs and blessings,
Smiler
December 20, 2007 5:04 pm
An original list filled with original ideas. Happy TT!
Julia
December 20, 2007 5:22 pm
Interesting useful tool for string wire hehehe. You sure have a great imagination :)BR/BR/Happy TTs! I hope you have a good day 🙂
Chelle Y.
December 20, 2007 5:38 pm
What a great imagination!
L^2
December 20, 2007 6:08 pm
Hahaha… I LOVE it! Kerri and you are very creative. 🙂
PJ
December 20, 2007 6:58 pm
Is a “book thong” what I think it means?? I’d rather bend the page corner than use someone’s underwear!
Ember Case
December 20, 2007 9:40 pm
Now you’ve got me thinking about making ornaments.BR/No, I will resist the urge to fake- craft!
AnGlOpHiLe FoOtBaLl FaNaTiC
December 20, 2007 9:54 pm
I laughed out loud. The very thought!
Janet
December 20, 2007 9:59 pm
creativity within creativity. I LOVE this post! Great job 🙂
Harris Channing
December 20, 2007 10:02 pm
I loved this list! How creative! BR/BR/~Harris.
Celticangel
December 20, 2007 10:04 pm
Now that is one creative TT. I’ll never think of guitar strings the same way again.BR/BR/Rock on!BR/BR/CelticangelBR/http://www.celticangel.org
Daisy
December 20, 2007 10:59 pm
Wow, what creative ideas! I think number 1 is funny.
Thomma Lyn
December 21, 2007 12:00 am
LOL! What a fun and creative T13… and what fantastic ideas for things to do with guitar strings! BR/BR/The choker in #2 sounds downright cool! And #4 is adorable (the blob Christmas ornament). BR/BR/*giggling* at the image of Trevor in a tiara!
Marilyn
December 21, 2007 12:00 am
I want a tiara 🙂 Very creative.
Denise Patrick
December 21, 2007 12:25 am
That was a hoot!! Very creative – something I’m not really.BR/BR/Thanks for visiting my TT!
damozel
December 21, 2007 1:29 am
Very creative—wonderful. BR/BR/A HREF=”http://theflatlandalmanack.typepad.com/the_flatland_chronicles/2007/12/post-1.html” REL=”nofollow”13 Extraordinary Winter scenes/A
Mar
December 21, 2007 3:09 am
Very creative TT! I might even try some things since we regularly have broken guitar strings, lol!BR/Happy TT!
Wylie Kinson
December 21, 2007 11:32 am
Now see, – if Kerri had a big honkin aquamarine to set into the wire, it would have made a PERFECT necklace 😉
Susan Helene Gottfried
December 21, 2007 11:50 am
What do you think inspired me, Wylie?
BreadBox
December 21, 2007 5:12 pm
What a lovely little post that was! I wasn’t sure if it was fact or fiction, but it was filled with truth:-)BR/BR/Michele sent me,BR/N.
Linda R. Moore
December 21, 2007 9:29 pm
So imaginative, as always :)BR/BR/My TT was about the solstice this week.
Jill
December 23, 2007 11:39 pm
I adore this one , there is just a good feeling about it!!
Thorne
February 26, 2009 5:33 pm
That is a good one! BTW, back when I first learned to tattoo, we made our machine needles out of a guitar string.