The belt looks great and I love the little story that goes with along it. I've often felt similar pains and heartache, mostly in jewellery making, because it's just one of those crafts where it's often hard to undo something that hasn't worked (like stuffing up the ends with the clasps and lobsters when all the beadwork on the wire is already crimped in place.
It's always nice to hear (in a good way) that other people suffer the same setbacks and frustrations with the creative process, especially when you think you've got it all preplanned out to avoid that sort of thing!