October at the Farm

The leaves are beginning to put on quite the show. The colors have been inspiring my work of late.

Here are some new items that were inspired by my magnificent view.

I hope the day treats you kindly. Cynthia

MIA

I cannot believe autumn is almost here. Where did summer go? I have been MIA thanks to too much going on. I decided it was time to revisit the blog since life is a little less hectic. I have been busy in the workroom trying to get ready for the holiday season. My gardens are still providing me with lots of inspiration. I picked this bouquet this morning.

The bouquet then inspired this charm style necklace.

I like the way it turned out and just might have to make myself one. Enjoy your weekend!

Custom Orders

I have been busy these last few days. It seems there are lots of brides out there.

I have always enjoyed working with brides to make jewelry for their bridesmaids and themselves. It is a wonderful feeling to be a part of their special day. I especially love it when the brides send me pictures from the weddings so I can see what they look like. The one downside to having an online business, I often don't know what my customers look like. So it is a treat to get pictures.

The necklace in the picture was a special project. The bride had lost her grandmother months before her wedding. She wanted a way to have her grandmother play a role in her big day. The bride showed up at my home with containers filled with her grandmother's button collection. The bride had fond memories of playing with the buttons when she was little. She asked me, "What can you do with these?" The bride also had pearls that had belonged to her mother and several other relatives. I thought treating the buttons like the base of flowers would be a great way to use them. The pearls would become the center of the flowers. When I showed the bride the completed necklace. She remarked, "That is exactly what I wanted." I love it when it works out that way.

Spring Comes to the Farm

After two weeks of temperatures in the 70s and 80s, spring has come to the farm. There are things blooming that are usually out in late April. I wonder what July will be like?

I walked the woods the other day to find bluebells and spring beauties in bloom. I am sure the morels will be popping up soon, too. Hopefully I can get to them before the deer discover them.

With this incredible stretch of weather, I have been MIA from the workroom. I am going to force myself this week to get back into the routine. I have lots of ideas I want to work on.

In the meantime, I am going to enjoy the view out the window and put together my to-do list. Have a wonderful weekend!

Pretty in Pink

Life has finally calmed down. Thank heavens! I have wandered back into the workroom. It has felt good to play with wire and beads again. I am hoping to spend the next few weeks making my ideas into real jewelry.

For some reason, the color pink has been something I have been drawn to lately. I find that funny since I do not own a piece of pink clothing and living with three males, there is definitely not any pink in my home. Pink does make an appearance in the summer thanks to the gardens. I have gorgeous pink David Austin roses and hot pink phlox that make me smile when I see them. Maybe missing the gardens is what has prompted this fascination with pink, but it has been fun to create these newest pieces.

The workroom is calling. Back to work for me.

Happy 2012

I for one am glad to bid 2011 goodbye. It was a cruel year for my family. We endured a rough winter with too much snow and then a spring and summer with too much rain. We watched our 19 year old son battle cancer during the summer and fall, and then said goodbye to my father after a sudden and brief illness.

Here is hoping 2012 is a kinder year...for all of us. Happy New Year!

Snowflakes

For years, I have been making beaded snowflake ornaments. Originally, they were made as Christmas presents for family members who did not get to experience much snow during the holiday season. I also found them to be wonderful gifts for teachers and to dress up bottles of wine.

My mother always had handmade ornaments on our tree. Her snowflake ornaments were made by crocheting. That is one craft I have never been able to master. She also decorated Styrofoam balls with bits of ribbons and pieces of old costume jewelry and beads. I am fortunate to have those ornaments now. To me, a Christmas tree needs to have ornaments made by hand with love hanging from them.

My ornaments are unique in that I try to make each one different, just as in nature. I use pieces from old jewelry that I look for at tag and garage sales. My snowflake ornaments are made with clear beads. I prefer them that way. I like the way they sparkle from the tree.

I started selling my ornaments a few years ago. I like the fact I have sent snowflakes to LA, Miami and Paris. I just wish I could find a way to ship the real stuff come January. Living in an area known as the Snowbelt - I would have a lot to ship!