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Because it's one of my favorite holidays and I cannot stop making decorations for it! I just finished an altered bingo card last night...
Boo!
Paper and mesh flowers with lace and pom pom trim...
Spiderweb cut-outs and costumed lady with stickels painted on for some added sparkle...
I've been itching to go apple picking for a few days now and I finally convinced my husband to go. Yesterday we headed over to Alestede Farms in Chester, NJ. When we got there and saw the throngs and throngs of families we decided to go peach and raspberry picking instead.
We walked for a bit and then there they were...
Ever have an idea in your head that ends up looking awful when it's complete? That happened to my autumn door decoration. It didn't just end up bad...it was downright hideous when finished. So I needed to make another to amend for my Franken-craft. Although it's a bit wacky looking I'm content with its outcome. I don't think children will run away screaming in fear from this...
Paper flowers and Swarovski crystals for a bit of bling...
After months of sitting back and watching the Art Bead Scene challenges I have finally decided to participate in one. This month the challenge is based on Kandinsky's Improvisation No. 23.
I decided to focus on some of the bold colors used in the painting. I dug through my ever-expanding bead collection and pulled beads I thought came close to the colors used in the painting. For art beads I used a piece from Humblebeads and my very own handmade ceramic focal. I also incorporated greek ceramic beads, semi-precious stones, sterling silver spacers, vintage beads and brass chain and a brass clasp.
I like how this simple beaded necklace turned out and I'm looking forward to wearing it through the cool fall months. It feels good to have finally taken the plunge and to go from spectator to participant.
I don't hate fall, far from it. I just really dislike that winter follows and I don't like the cold weather. So rather than worrying about how cold it is going to be I'm trying to enjoy the fall this year. I'm focusing on the colors of autumn. They are so warm and inspiring so I'm trying to incorporate them in to my jewelry and crafting right now.
Mums outside the door to my apartment...
A simple pair of earrings made from vintage copper, autumn-hued leaf charms, carnelian rounds, gold-filled earwires...
And of course lots and lots of craft supplies...
These are for a door decoration because my apartment door needs some craft love.
What do you love about fall?
You can never have too many beads! Or at least that's what those sneaky devils over at Art Bead Scene would have you believe (and I do believe it!). Seeing all the ways people use art beads made me want to expand even further what my crafty self has been doing. So instead of learning to use the wheel in ceramics class I've been making beads, pendants and cabochons. The photo is just a small sampling of what I've played around with so far. I've been experimenting a lot with pushing objects (seashells, coral, walnuts, random metal things) into the clay and testing all sorts of earthy glazes. Last Monday I even made a huge collection of charms. Once I'm truly satisfied with the results I'm planning on reopening my Etsy store to offer them up to the bead masses. Perhaps I'll even do a giveaway...
And thanks again Andrew because I made this necklace the other day and I'm super satisfied with the results! I even managed to dig into my Green Girl supply and use the very inspiring tree pendant I've been holding onto for quite some time. There is also my ceramic beads, aventurine, chalcedony, aquamarine, ruby zoisite, green garnet and wood.
It feels like fall, it feels like change. Good change!
I just want to thank Andrew Thornton for getting me back into beading! I stopped by the Green Girl table at Philly Bead Fest to chat and pick of some new beads and our catching up has caused my beady creativity to come back! Andrew was showing me a bag of goodies and inside was the bird bead from Heather Powers. Well I had one of those beads at home so Andrew issued a challenge. I'm not one to back down from a good challenge and quite frankly it's an awesome bead. Thus began our throw-down.
I had such a fantastic time making this necklace and I even made earrings to match (photos to come later). I didn't realize just how much I missed beading. I've been spending a lot of time making beads and charms at the ceramic studio and practicing my metalsmithing skills I forgot how much I love to bead. So thanks Andrew! I've now posted on my blog after a huge hiatus and I'm beading again!
