The first one's free

So,  I had to go to Costco (ick, panic attack waiting to happen) today, and, oh, what happens to be right across the street? Michael's. The next part is a little hazy, all I know is I ended up at the check-out counter with a basket full of wire and cord. Wha? Where am I? So now I'm packing up my handy-dandy tool kit that my dealer, oh, I mean my dearest friend Gaea so generously bestowed upon me, so I can bead while the kids are at gymnastics. This is how it starts, people. A couple links here, some shiny beads there, next thing you know there's a pull-out table under your bed and your beading at 3 am with your kid's book light. It's not pretty. Oh, wait! Actually it is pretty! ;)