FALL INTO COLORS ~ The Rest of the Story...

These gorgeous creations are worth the wait, I promise....here are more challenge pieces from the ABSTEAM's (Artisan Beaders Street Team) "Fall into Colors" October color palette challenge.

First, from Lee of AbeleesHandcrafted are these beautiful autumn earrings using a "Fall Orchard" palette.

And, I think you'll agree that the chainmaille handiwork on this necklace by Meri of Merigreenleaf is absolutely awesome!

Nicole, of Beadwright, shows her intricate artisan design skills and handiwork ~ amazingly beautiful ~ with this necklace, truly fit for a goddess!

Speaking of detail work, check out these "yummy" APPLE SPICE (what a great name!) earrings from Donna of Creative Treasures by Donna ~ hmm! One of my favorite parts of fall!

My other favorite part of fall? The changing leaves....captured here so perfectly by Brenda of The Jewelry Box (and with the lovely lampwork leaf by our own Deronda of DerondaDesigns)!

I am SO honored and thrilled to be a part of such a talented group of wonderful artisans (and great friends, too!) :-)

MOTHER ~ DAUGHTER BONDING?

I have NEVER been a fan of of the television show, South Park; until tonight, I have never seen an episode in its entirety, instead, being "turned off" by either the topics, language, sheer neglect of common decency or all three....yet, it is, sad to say, one of the favorite shows of all three of my children ~ go figure! So, you can imagine my hesitancy...more like, "kicking and screaming" when my youngest suggested that I "absolutely had to see the encore showing" of last night's episode of "Pandemic 2: The Startling" (imagine "Cloverfield" meets "Blair Witch Project" meets "King Kong" or just imagine giant guinea pigs invading New York City and the only "salvation" being Peruvian pan flute bands....). There we were, mother and daughter, for what was supposed to be just long enough for me to see these "giant guinea pigs" ("look, Mom, aren't they cute?") and yet, I was hooked -- this was, incredibly, so, so funny - yes, I had to admit it, and I had to watch the WHOLE thing!

Now, this does NOT mean I'm tuning in next week to see Craig (that's the only character name I remember) and the rest of the crew -- no, I'm sure I'll still be sufficiently shocked to keep the remote rolling, but this episode did have me ROFLMAO (if you have to ask, find a teen-ager!). The clip above just focuses on the "guinea pigs" aka "guinea bees," "guinea rabbits," "guinea rats,".....but if you watch the episode in its entirety (see link below) you will really understand (!! understand South Park? is that possible?! Well, yes, within the confines of comedy, that is -- you will understand and ROFL!!). Enjoy!
South Park ~ Pandemic 2: The Startling

FALL INTO COLORS ~ Part I

As explained in yesterday's post, the ABSTEAM (Artisan Beaders Street Team) of Etsy is completing a "color palette" challenge, entitled "Fall into Colors," and I'd like to share the beautiful designs created by my fellow artisans. Some of these items are available for purchase in each designer's/creator's Etsy shop along with other wonderful items! If the particular design is not listed in the shop, but you're interested in it, feel free to convo them through their Etsy shop and inquire! :-)

From Vicki of Orion Designs is this gorgeous pendant based on a palette called "Eat Some Leaves."

A palette called "Five Flavors" was the inspiration behind Patty's (Broken Tepee Designs) beautiful necklace.

Ainsley aka Kaskaad had me drooling over this necklace which used a "Cherries and Chocolate" palette. What about you?

And what will be the most special creation of the challenge for all of us is this incredible pendant from Cori of CCDesign. This was the final piece designed and handcrafted by this talented artisan who we were so blessed to know and call our friend as she died suddenly on October 27th from a brain aneurysm. Peace, dear Cori, to you, your family and friends.

More challenge pieces tomorrow...

OCTOBER WEDDING

Back in September, the Artisan Beaders Street Team began a "color palette challenge" for the new season ~ "Fall into Colors." Each participating member was to design her own palette with the only requirement being that at least one of the colors being brown and then create a finished piece using the colors from the created palette.

It was wonderful to see the developing colors from the team and over the last few weeks, it has been especially exciting to see the incredible designs come forth.

My "October Wedding" palette was inspired by an upcoming wedding of a dear friend's son which was to be held in a beautiful outdoor setting ~ at the bride's family orchard, next to a small lake, late in the afternoon. The colors try to capture what I pictured would be autumn browns, reds, light rose for evening sunset.

The wedding itself was, of course, even more beautiful than anything I could have imagined, and I was thrilled to discover that the colors of my palette were actually "spot-on" (even the bride's dress was a rich, gorgeous deep burgundy!). Upon returning from "wedding road trip," I designed "October Wedding," a necklace with a crab fire agate diamond, surrounded by silver leaf jasper squares and rounds, fancy jasper ovals, rounds of rainbow jasper and green opal, Swarovski pearls in maroon, light-catching Swarovski crystals in silk, garnet, and light smoked topaz and sterling silver rounds.

So, can you find "October Wedding" in the shop? Well, it did reside there for a very short time, but I'm happy to say that it now is going to the perfect home....shh! That's all I can say. :-)

Tomorrow's post....a look at the incredible "Fall into Colors" creations from the Artisan Beaders Street Team!

Talented, Busy Beaders..."Must-See's!"

Some of you know that along with my association with Etsy, I've been fortunate to be a part of some incredible "street teams" ~ groups (some large, some small) of artisans who come together in a common mission for creative, marketing, and support purposes. One of my newest, smallest (and therefore, most intimate and friendliest!) and most talented (IMHO!) teams has been the Artisan Beaders Street Team which formed earlier this summer. We are a juried group and keeping our membership limited (small) has allowed us to develop close bonds of friendship and support across not only the country, but the world - we are an international group!

The mission statement of ABST (Artisan Beaders Street Team) is "Begin with a passion for beads. Combine with creativity. Mix with encouragement. The result is Artisan Beaders; a charismatic group committed to providing the knowledge, resources and support to help members succeed in their entrepreneurial dreams." I know that I feel so blessed to be a part of such a talented group of women, willing to share freely their art and journeys. Each of these artisans has her own shop on Etsy so be sure to check out their beautiful work:

Abelee's Handcrafted
Beadwright
Broken Teepee Designs
Catie's Blue
Creative Treasures by Donna
Crysallis creations
Crystal Impressions
Deronda designs
Elbit Enterprises
Jael's ArtJewels
Kaskaad Handmade Jewellery
M. Augusta Woodland
Orion Designs
Shiny Adornments
SignatureSterling
Studio Marcy
The Jewelry Box

Two other special ABST "must-see" sites are the Artisan Beaders blog where you'll see regular updates on "Color of the Week" and featured items, and MORE importantly ~ NOW through the holidays....a weekly GIVEAWAY!! Whatta Deal!

And, if you want one-stop shopping for the holidays, be sure to "bookmark" the Artisan Beaders Holiday Guide where all of the ABST shops are listed, linked and highlighted with wonderful pics of some beautiful creations from each shop. It's a great holiday shopping resource to keep in your "internet favorites."

TAG ~ I'm It!

I've Been Tagged!

Well, another round of "Tag" is making the blogger round, a game similar to what we all played as kids. I've been tagged by Vicki, aka Orion Designs. How does the cyber-version work?

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Here we go....7 things about me....

1. I love to sing and play the piano, but just returned to playing last night after a several year hiatus! :-)
2. My children are more "travelled" than me ~ something I hope to remedy!
3. I am a magazine "junkie"...
4. So many books, so little time (is that related to the magazine problem?)
5. I changed my college major 5 times...music (voice - then realized I wanted a "life" & my high school choir teacher LIVED her job 24/7 - she was incredible!!); elementary ed. (but then the head of the dept. "hit" on me and I did what any insecure, inexperienced freshman would do - changed her major!); pre-law (but then a good friend from high school reminded me I wasn't "bitchy" enough to do that!); English (loved it, but wasn't sure what I was going to do with it)...so finally - secondary education (English) - ah, ha! The 4 1/2 year plan! And no, I'm not teaching today - go figure!
6. I have recently become a coffee "snob" - hooked on Stauf's fresh roasted coffee beans -- ahh. And, yes, I'm out.... :-(
7. I frequent a "high-end" Goodwill shop - great buys and great fashion! What can I say! Means I can afford to be a coffee snob and buy more books/magazines!! LOL!!

And, now, here's who I'm "tagging" ~ be sure, to check out their blogs to read what they share and maybe discover a new favorite blogger as well! :-)
1. http://brandi-girl.blogspot.com/
2. http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/
3. http://beadnestdesigns.blogspot.com/
4. http://derondadesigns.blogspot.com/
5. http://redbessbonney-akasusan.blogspot.com/
6. http://chickadeebeads.blogspot.com/
7. http://artworkbyandrea.blogspot.com/

Victory...By the Light of a Harvest Moon!

Tournament play began last night ~ an exciting match-up with Mt. Vernon under a beautiful October harvest moon. Congratulations, ladies, for a game well-played (4-1) and for moving on to challenge your next opponents!

And, from The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday's Box Scores:

Marysville 4, Mount Vernon 1

MV (4-11-2) — Goal: Boutin. Saves: McBride 14.

MARY (7-6-4) — Goals: C.Rogers 2, Westbrook, Spears. Saves: Zacharias 2, Clarridge 1. Halftime: 2-1.

And one hopes...

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
— Allan K. Chalmers