Lucky Random Mix

Mixed Metal Hoop Earrings with Peridot Green Glass Leaves

A lucky chance mixture of photos in my "Collage" folder on my computer desktop inspired me today. Earrings current in my Etsy shop and Autumn photo collages from recent walks seem to have color echoes that are surprising and interesting, to my eyes.



Autumn is one of the most colorful seasons here as so many of the different grasses, trees, bushes and other plants take on shades of orange, yellow, red, purple and many subtleties of browns and earth tones, and a full palette of greens. And there are still flowers blooming (especially sedums and there is a huge bed of asters I've been meaning to capture.)

Beaded Hoop Earrings with Pastel Opalized Glass Beads and Sterling Silver

These original earrings are coiled hoop constructions from my studio and each feature a different "bead soup" which is a cute way of describing a mixture of beads that are somehow color coordinated, and then used randomly. The three color schemes in earring designs each echo the autumn collage above.

Beaded Hoop Earrings Bright Colored Trade Beads Original Coiled and Bound Sterling

The mix of antique trade beads above are from Ghana. Their history is they were made in Europe, probably Bohemia or Italy, at least 100 years ago and then made their way to Africa where they were used for trading--a kind of currency. What inspires me is the effect of the joyous color mixtures as there are so many little individually different beads.

Hoop Earrings Tourmaline Colored Vintage Beads Original Coiled and Bound

The vintage bead soup used for this coiled design is labeled "Watermelon Tourmaline" as the color selection is inspired by a semi-precious gemstone by this name. Small faceted transparent glass beads in shades of purples, pinks, teal, light and dark green, clear and light pastels mimic this stone and hold their own as they add a vintage flavor to this mixed color palette.

So it's gray, rainy and much cooler but the weekend, our last open for camping this year at WillOaks, could be lovely typical fall weather. Sending best wishes for a lovely weekend to all!! Thanks for dropping by!

Falling Falling Falling Fall.....

Around this time of year, I suddenly wake up and notice--and the trees have all turned colors. I suddenly see that the leaves are on the ground and the branches are bare. Somehow, I seem to miss the actual transitions between these different states.

Until yesterday, that is. I stepped out on my deck with my camera at the ready as the big tree over my deck let loose with most of its bright yellow leaves. Gust after gust blew through and it rained leaves for hours. What a sight and what a sound.

It was glorious! All these yellow leaves falling down, flying around, covering everything. So I edited to share a 30 second spot of this Fall transition that I hardly ever actually SEE---The falling in Fall. What a treat! Enjoy!


Blue Sky, Yellow Leaves, Gusts of Wind, Flying Gold

Visit more artists' blogs with autumn themed posts, Friday and all weekend, by checking the list of blogs here.

Happy Weekend All! It's the final campground weekend of 2010 and then, I'll resume living in a regular house.

Like a Haiku

This caught my eye today.
Like the male cardinal in the evergreens-
A brilliant, tattered leaf.

Pastels, As Promised

Almost reminiscent of Spring, I have been finding small pockets of fresh blooms despite the late season. What a treat! The contrast, in a long view, is pretty strong as so much is going to seed or already dry and dead. But I decided to ignore that part of the view and focus on these fresh, tender blossoms for a few moments of denial that the weather is changing now, and changing quickly.

The optimism of nature: the odds are very good that few of these plants will have time to set seed before frosts overcome them. So this wave of blossoms is for our pleasure and to provide a bit of food for the bees and the bugs.

Enjoying Late Blooms I

Between the mums, the asters and the rudbeckia, there is still bright color, in spots, between the fading and dying plant material. Some blooms are a bit battered and chewed and the nights are getting colder and colder. Since October begins today, a frost is possible any time in our area.

I love how my copper bucket planter has developed, now that the sedums are nice and pink.

I labeled this collection of photos #1 because I have another set of blossoms that are more pastel, fresh and just opening, despite the lateness of the season. I'll display those images in a day or two.

The comments left about my Wordless Wednesday were really fun this week! The "critters" in the secret garden were wild boars and a free range chicken, in case you are still puzzled. The chicken is a little harder to make out, but if you look closely, you can see a beak, made of sticks, of course. A year ago, the end of October, I spent 10 days in Tuscany doing day hikes in the hills and yoga in a castle. That's right a castle! We stayed on an amazing estate which is still a working organic farm. The gardens were wonderful, including this secret garden where an artist had made these neat critters. I'll post more about this amazing place and area, and our adventures there, as the month winds down.

Thank you for all your help with voting in the blog poll - WillOaks Studio landed in first place for "Other Blog" and I think I get some kind of badge to put here on the blog. I'm waiting to see what's up with that, now that voting has closed.

A Treasury!

I learned how to make a copy of my computer screen just now!! I've always wondered how people did this cool technique...and I was under PRESSURE. Because in less than 2 days, this lovely "Fall Preview Sampler" that includes a pair of my copper and pearl earrings, by curator handmadeshow will expire. So do take a peek on your own full screen...and leave a comment if you're inspired by it!!

Funny thing is, despite the extravagance of summer here with flowers and foliage and fauna...I do love the cooler days of autumn and the fabulous colors of that season. And I've begun to think about new pieces to create for after the summer begins to fade away.