WEDNESDAY WISDOM

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot

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!) :-)

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!

A Change in the Air?

Maybe it was the first soccer scrimmage of the year, a sign of the upcoming fall season...or the noticeable coolness as the sun set last night...or perhaps, the refreshing late summer breeze this afternoon as we enjoyed another day on the pond but this time aware of the water being just a bit chillier...and, yes, the weather forecast for this weekend is almost early autumn-like.

No doubt, we will have many more warm sunny summer days ahead, but a change is in the air ~ getting us ready for our Buckeye football, back to school, a full successful soccer season, warm fall sweaters, Friday night lights, brilliant trees, and all the many changes that come with every autumn.

Breathe deep and enjoy!

FALLING IN LOVE Necklace


HARVEST LACE Earrings

A CHANGE OF HEART Necklace