C Koop Book Challenge

A couple of months ago, Lorelei Eurto announced a new challenge on her blog.  She was giving away these adorable "books", and those chosen were to create a piece of jewelry with them that told a story, and to also use at least 3 components from our local bead store.  

Photo courtesy of Lorelei Eurto

Immediately, ideas started forming, and I was thrilled to be chosen to participate.  

This is the necklace I created and the story behind it.

I decided to base the necklace I created for this challenge on one of my favorite books, On Folly Beach, by Karen White.  I’ve always been a fan of historical fiction, and this book combines the past and present in a book about a family during WWII South Carolina and present day Folly Beach.   I created pages in the book to look like letters and pictures soldiers would have sent home during the war.  In fact, the images featured are copies of pictures my grandfather sent home from WWII Germany and France, and he is the gentleman on the right in the first picture. 

The yellow floral beads, deep red “sea glass”, and pearls are from a bead store called Plumb Alley Beads, located 45 minutes from my home.  The floral beads represent the floral designs popular during the 1940s, and the sea glass and pearls are a nod to the ocean and the part it played in On Folly Beach. 

I hope you enjoy this peek into a book I love, as well as my own personal link to the necklace. 

I had a wonderful time participating in this challenge and this will always be a special piece to me!

More Christmas jewelry

Thought I'd share a couple of Christmas themed pieces I created.  The large red and green beads in the earrings are from Potomac Bead Company in Alexandria, VA.  They're so festive--I love them!

The bracelet was created from a pattern I found on the internet, but for the life of me I can't remember the website!  

I've also been working on some more broken china jewelry for my friend, Misty, and hope to have pics posted soon.

Now off to enjoy a Christmas movie with the family!

Owls

 A week or so ago, Heather Powers posted a tutorial for polymer clay owls on her blog.  Since I absolutely adore owls, I had to give them a try.  I made 4, and two of them turned out well. 

Although the white and gray owl didn't photograph quite as well, it's my favorite.  I was thinking of Hedwig, Harry Potter's owl, when I made it.  I loved it so much, I had to make a necklace out of it last night.

It's a neutral necklace, using lots of gray and clear crystal.  I wanted to be able to wear it with a variety of outfits.  

Still trying to squeeze in some last minute Christmas jewelry making into my schedule.  It's such a hectic time of year, but you can never have too much Christmas themed jewelry, right?

Cyber Monday Sale

I've just renewed some listings in my Etsy shop, and am offering 10% off today with the coupon code CYBER13.

Happy shopping!

I'm back

Last Thursday - Saturday I attended a human resources conference in Washington, D.C. (well, technically, it was on the Maryland side of the river in National Harbor).  I stayed at a hotel with the most beautiful atrium.  They had a large Christmas tree suspended from the ceiling that they lit every night, with the lights choreographed to Christmas carols.  They also had fake snow during the lighting!  I discovered this while getting my coffee one evening (yes, there was a Starbucks-like coffee shop in the atrium!!).  There were little shops and restaurants, and even a toy train that ran through it.  It was wonderful!

On my way home Saturday I stopped at the Potomac Bead Company in nearby Alexandria, VA.  I bought a few things, but haven't taken pictures yet.  On my way out, I took a wrong turn somewhere and wound up heading back to Maryland, instead of home.  About the time I realized my mistake, my gps died.  It eventually came back on, but I spent about an hour lost, driving in what felt like complete circles.  I think my gps was amused.  I was not!  No surprise I got lost.  It's the very rare occasion I travel without a hitch.

Today is the last work day this week.  I'm very excited about having tomorrow off with no place to go.  I plan to do some baking and cooking for Thanksgiving, and make some Christmas jewelry.  We're expecting several inches of snow, but I hope we don't get too much.  We always go to my in-laws house and my parents' house for dinner (two dinners in one day--can't beat that!), and I hope the roads are safe.

I hope everyone who travels this week is able to do so safely!

Small show

Last night a cooking show was held here at the college, and they allowed vendors to set up for a couple of hours pre-show.  I decided to participate, and had a very good time!

I made a very simple display, using Christmas trees and place mats, and brought enough jewelry, but not too much.  I was rather pleased with the sales and received a lot of great feedback.  It was definitely worth my time!

Tomorrow I'm off to Washington, D.C. for a conference.  I'm sure the conference will be good, but most of all I'm looking forward to having some alone time in the hotel room tomorrow and Friday nights.  I love to take along reading material and beads, and spending the evening doing what I want, when I want.  I'll definitely miss Travis and the girls, but sometimes it's nice to have a couple of days away from the demands of everyday life!

Acorns

Have I been neglectful or what?!  There's been so much going on that I've barely known if I'm coming or going.  It's the busy season, but I love it!  

There is a cooking show here Tuesday night, and from 5-7 they're allowing vendors to come set up a booth.  I decided to participate, so I'm busy making plans for that.  I like the fact that it's only a couple of hours, there should be lots of traffic, and the only cost for setting up was a $12 ticket to the show.  Can't beat that!

I have managed to make some earrings with the acorn caps I found.  

I just love these.  Definitely worth the trek in the woods.