My Bags Are Packed. I'm Ready to Go...

I'm all packed up and ready to go to Art Bliss.  Can you hear my screams of joy through the computer?  Quite a few of my beading buddies are all a buzz about this weekend.  Good times with great people.  I hope to see you there.

My two partners in crime are Shelby Foxwell from Sundown Bead Designs and Sue Kennedy from Sue Beads.  I am blessed to spend my time with such lovely ladies.  Please check out their work when you have a chance.  You won't be disappointed!

And now for a few pieces I've made for my mom and big sis.

My sister requested a necklace made with some gorgeous amazonite stones I acquired recently.  I love these stones!  Lots of character and great color.

Unfortunately, my picture really didn't do this stone justice.  Some stones just have to be seen in person I guess.  This is quite simple but that's the type of jewelry my sis prefers.

But I felt like the necklace was just too easy to make so I had to try something else with the same colors.  Yeah, I've been making these bracelets a lot lately.  I really like their bulkiness and weight.  Plus, hammering the copper washers really relieves a lot of stress ;)

 My mom on the other hand likes things a little more funky and crazy.  She was admiring some copper face beads in my stash when I saw her last.  She just loved their cute expressions and asked if I could put something together in peaches and orange.  I added in the seashell and beach stone since she's a beach lover.

 This guy reminds me of a wise old owl with a mustache :)

 And this one reminds me of a scrawny looking scarecrow trying his best to keep away those pesky crows in the garden.

Ok, that's it for me.  I wish you all the best weekend and safe travels to my friends visiting Art Bliss :)

The Four Letter Word - Fall

This little critter is just trying to get his work done.  He doesn't have time for that horrible four letter word.   Oh, you know which word I'm talking about.  The one that makes all the leaves turn golden yellow and crimson red.  And the same word that produces a gust of that icy cold air that takes your breath away and turns the tip of your nose a soft shade of pink.  Yes, the same one that makes dusk happen much earlier than those longer, hot days before it.

Is this a word of terror and dread?  Or one of happiness and glee?

Of course it depends on how you look at it.  Yes, winter is right around the corner but...

...the crabapples that have fallen off my tree have painted the lawn a warm shade of orange.  What a sweet smell!

...who can resist jumping into a big pile of freshly raked leaves?  What a great crunch sound they make!

And...

...the stars are so much brighter in that cold sky.  And we all need a good star sometimes to wish on.

Its here whether we like it or not so "go with the flow".  Let Autumn be a friend of yours during the next few months.  Bundle up and sip hot cider.  Enjoy beautiful foliage with its many warm colors.  Sit back and take in all this glorious season has to offer.

And a few autumn inspired pieces to keep that warm feeling going!

Crab Agate / Ocean Jasper Copper Bracelet

Amazonite / Aquamarine Copper Bracelet

Ocean Jasper Copper Leaf Bracelet

Impression Jasper / Ocean Jasper Copper Twist Bracelet

Crab Agate / Aquamarine / Ocean Jasper Copper Bracelet

New Earthy Bracelets

I've got two new bracelets that are a bit different than my usual look. Organic and natural looking with lots of character using Vintaj brass. Hope you like these!

Newfound Gap in Autumn

Appalachian River Birch

These little darlings have seashells, beach stones, and lots of Vintaj brass. The first includes a large wooden bead, olive green fossil briolettes, and tiny rhyolite rondelles. The second has a large crazy lace agate bead with swirling yellows and grays, flat wooden beads, jade rondelles, and a little sea glass dangle with a filigree brass leaf. These will both go in the shop today once I figure out some names and prices. I also forgot to add the pieces yesterday to the shop and I think I have a buyer for one of the pieces. Hooray!

Ok, this has absolutely nothing to do with jewelry but I discovered a new treat. A friend of my husband's told him about mixing greek yogurt with honey. How simple is that! The first time I tried it I wasn't sure if I could eat it because the yogurt is quite sour but it grew on me. Now I love it! You've gotta try it! Yummy yummy!