Roses and Lace

My husband says that he isn't romantic.  


Of course, I beg to differ.  


For our anniversary, he bought me roses--some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.  He took me out to a fancy restaurant--he wore a suit, I wore a lacy dress that matched my lovely flowers.  And, most of all, he treated me to a wonderful, wonderful night together--giddy and in love, like newlyweds still after three years.  

The Roses

The Dress

And, of course: The Jewelry

I felt like a princess--and he certainly treated me like one!

Shades of Autumn...

I'm currently making another necklace/hairstick set--this time, in warm Autumn tones.


I'm not quite finished yet (have to glue the hairstick)...  In the meantime, I thought I would tantalize you with a picture of the beads I'm using. 

The round beads practically glow...  it's a shame that they camera didn't quite pick up on that.  Ah well.  The teardrops are carnelian, and the metal is brass.


I'm really excited at how this set is turning out...  I can't wait to show you!

Happy Anniversary

I were but little happy if I could say how much.

     --William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

Happy Anniversary, beloved.  


I love you.

Necklace in the Making...

Beautiful leaf beads, in purple and clear?  Check.


Matching round beads, to emphasize the color?  Check.


Silver-plated chain, and matching circle connector?  Check.


One beautiful necklace about to be made?


Check!

...And an additional picture, to heighten the artistic appeal of this blog post?  Yes, indeed--check!  :)

Beader's Table

What is this?  Keep reading to find out!

I have come to realize that a lot of what I work on is never seen.  Indeed, many of my jewelry items aren't ever featured on my store.  


Why not?


These items are prototypes.  I am constantly pushing myself to experiment, create, and learn.  There are so many new techniques to master, so many materials to use, so many designs to develop.  Only when I am pleased with the results do I list them on my shop.  


These items are custom orders for friends.  For example, I have recently made two pairs of hairsticks for one of my friends: one of them using steampunk gears, the other using small fish beads.  I didn't take pictures of either of them.  Also, I just finished an order for a charm bracelet... but I'm not going to post pictures here because it's a present--and I'm not going to post it on my store, because it was made for a specific person.


And, these non-featured items are even the occasional piece for myself.  (*gasp!*)  


Yet, I realize that all of these pieces deserve to be seen.  And so, for the first time, I am posting what's currently on my beader's table.  Read on to see the projects I'm currently working on!


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First up: experiment with purple and green and copper

Close up of the three strands--each with a combination of seed beads
and larger 3-4mm beads

I truly love this color combination; it features prominently in one of my stories.  To me, it represents all that is regal--trees and the forest, and also noble Storytellers and people who stand for Truth.  I have been wanting to make a three-stranded necklace in these colors for a long time...  I have been taking time to gather just the right beads.


This necklace is my first attempt.

A view of the full necklace--it can be worn with the
toggle clasp on the side, or in the back

Overall, I am very pleased with it.  I have enough beads to make another one...  I'm not sure if I'm going to leave the design as it is, or if I'm going to change it.  I suppose we'll have to see!


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Next up: the Necklace of Curiosities

Yes, that is a giant shark tooth

This necklace truly reminds me of something you would find in a Victorian Curio of Curiosities.  As its focal, it features a brass Megalodon tooth--a hefty pendant, which was actually part of a keychain before I got to it.  


Because of its weight, I chose to hang it from the thickest brass chain I have.  The length is adjustable--up to 24" inches, for pure fossil bling.  At the end of the chain, to add to the Victorian theme, I added filigree and a steampunk-inspired gear.  This can hang either in the front or in the back.

How the necklace looks, with the filigree and gear
hanging on the front

Overall, I think I'm pleased with how it turned out.  I have still to try it on--but, I like the thought of it, at least, and definitely have a good start!


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Third on the list: what to do with these orange beads?

For some reason, I had the hardest time figuring out
what to do with that orange pendant bead

I have three ceramic coin beads in the most delicious Autumn orange.  I have had these beads for at least two years now--and I have never been able to figure out what to do with them.  


Until today.  Today, I sat down at my beading table and made both the above necklace and a pair of hairstick toppers--using up all three of the ceramic coins.  


With this necklace, I am pleased.


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And, last but not least, beads and components that I'm still working with:

Fun things to look forward to!  The copper component I think is going to be worked into a hairstick dangle...  The modern looking circle set is going to be made into a necklace and matching asymmetrical earrings...  I'm not sure what I'm doing with the Carnelian teardrops...  And the Autumn orange ceramic bead will happily remain as part of its necklace.  


...Looking over this entry, I am once more reminded that I am surrounded by beautiful things.

Things to Be Happy About

A few joyous things...

1. Being surrounded by the beauty of music
2. Taking long drives with my husband in our new car
3. Working on a project, and having everything come together
4. Watching the sparkle of Swarovski crystals, and the rainbows they cast when in the light
5. Being able to cuddle in bed and read, when it is grey and raining

and


        6. Anticipating our third wedding anniversary, coming up next week

For four years, we lived in separate states.
After our visits, he had to drive to the airport--
not knowing when we would be together again.
How beautiful, that those days are behind us!

The Three Sisters

Recently, I acquired identical beads in three different colors.  I made matching sets of earrings and hairsticks.  I present the recently listed:

The Three Sisters

This is their story:

There once were three sisters. These three sisters lived in the Landus Fantasticus, where they quarreled and bickered and fought. Yet, they did so in love—like most sisters do. After all, they were all extremely different from one another… And, no matter how much they loved each other, those differences often caused friction. 

The eldest of these sisters was named Keranna. She was tall and fair, with golden hair and eyes the color of a storm. Her manner was aloof and detached; she preferred scholarly pursuits, and did not care much for social interactions. Her favorite color was blue.

The middle child was named Hesarra. She was shorter than Keranna, with dark dark hair, and eyes the color of the earth. She was friendly and her manner was calming—the peace-maker of her family. Her favorite color was green.

The youngest of the sisters was named Natessa. She was freckled, with bright red hair and eyes the color of a morning sky. She, like Hesarra, was also shorter than Keranna—but what she lacked in height, she made up for in vivacity. With a temper like a forest fire, she was outgoing and precocious. Her favorite color was red.

Indeed, the three sisters were very different… Yet, no matter how many fights Natessa started, Keranna nettled, and Hesarra smoothed over, they loved each other. And, more than that—they valued each other’s friendship, and remained close until the end of their days.

Afternoon with Fish

Today, I went to the Newport Aquarium.

The opening display...  cheerful and vibrant

While it was not the National Aquarium (which I have frequented on numerous occasions, having grown up in Baltimore), it was still absolutely delightful.  The shark tunnel and the jellyfish display were particularly awesome.


I am not, perhaps, awake enough to give a full recount of my trip.  At least, not one that will make sense.  So, instead, I will simply share my favorite pictures from the venture.

The Shark Tunnel

The entrance to the shark tunnel

View on one of the sides of the tank

It was pretty cool seeing the sharks swimming over me!
This was a Sand Tiger Shark

White-tipped Reef shark, resting on the bottom

Another shark--a Black-tipped Reef Shark, I think--about to swim right over me

The Jellyfish Room

The large jellyfish tank when you first enter

Jellyfish close-up...  I was very proud of this picture!

This tank was beautiful--with these luminescent
jellyfish moving around surprisingly fast

Another jellyfish picture I am quite pleased with--it captures well
the fluid grace of these creatures

I realize that both these sharks and these jellyfish have the potential to be dangerous, if encountered in the wild.  Still, I am grateful for an opportunity to see them for the marvelous creatures they are--especially in so pleasant of an environment!

Things to Be Happy About

1. Listening to Mozart, while the morning light streams through the window
2. The rush of wind
3. The sound of different languages, the appearance of different scripts
4. The results of a day cleaning

5. The lovely last days of summer

6. The way the sun plays through the leaves

7. Finding my treasure chest of photos,
which has been packed in a box in the basement

8. Spending time with my husband,
opening booster packs for a Trading Card Game
we have recently started playing

9. Faint rainbows in the distance,
and the light after a storm

10. Our brand new car!
Pictured here the night that my husband brought it home.
A new car--for lower monthly payments than our last one!
And it has such amazing features as a back seat!

For all these things, and more, I am truly grateful.

Autumn is a Time for Writing

Autumn must be coming.


Why do I say that?


Well, the most basic evidence is there: it's starting to feel cooler in the mornings, and the evenings begin earlier.  The trees haven't started changing color yet--but there is the feeling that it will happen suddenly, and soon.


But, even more subtly, I am feeling the itch to write.

When I was in school, summer was my time to write--mostly because that was when I had the most time to dedicate to it.  Now, I try to write year-round, without an academic schedule to constrain me.


But Autumn...  Autumn is, for some reason, a time of flowing words and budding plots, and the feeling that anything is possible.


I certainly hope that this Fall yields a bountiful writing harvest.

The Last Unicorn, and More!

I have been valiantly trying to chip away at my backstock--those beautiful, beautiful things that I have made, but have yet to list to my store. 

As such, I am happy to announce some of my recent listings:

The Last Unicorn

Half-and-Half Berries

Filani of the Enchanted Forest

and, last but not least...

Lady of the Noble Court