And....we're back!

It's a little embarrassing to know it's been something like 6 months since my last blog post. I have had every intention of maintaining my blog and it simply got away from me! Christmas came and went. Wow, what a busy season! And now I'm back to blog again.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the West Fest Craft Show in New Lenox, IL. Met several new folks and got to see lots of interesting crafts. This weekend I'm heading to A. A. Stagg High School in Palos Hills for their craft show. The show runs Saturday from 9 to 4 and Sunday from 10 to 3. Stop by and check out the goods!

I added lots of Beach and Sea-inspired jewelry to the shop as well as more garden tea party themed items. I have felt tea pot brooches made from my own pattern. I hope to add one with a Union Jack on it as a nod to the tea-kings, the British.


Tea Pot Felt Brooches

I've added a few felt plushies, too. I haven't been able to devote any more time to them than the few I have in the shop, but they are a compliment to the angel ornaments that I started making in November. The patterns are from Gingermelon on Etsy - she is an amazing pattern- and doll-maker. I love this new medium of felt and polyfil because it lets me exercise my other crafting skills. I used to sew regularly, making clothes, curtains...I've even upholstered a few chairs in my time. But I love smaller projects with hand-sewing. And felt is so comforting - soft and warm. And it comes in so many yummy colors!

So, I will report back after my craft show this weekend. I'm glad to be back in the blogosphere again.

"Canyon" and "Forest"

Ever since my family and I started the journey home from the Black Hills of South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park this summer, I've been dreaming and planning a new jewelry collection for the fall. Immediately I knew I wanted to call it "Canyon," inspired by the beautiful colors and textures of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - my favorite place in the whole of Yellowstone. As it evolved in the creative process, I realized there were two facets of the whole family vacation that I really wanted to capture - Yellowstone AND the Black Hills of South Dakota, specifically the forests. So along with the Canyon Collection I will also be releasing the Forest Collection. Two collections at one time...seriously, I might need to rethink this.


So I wanted to share some of the photos I took while on our trip that inspired my collections. It's difficult for me not to be so literal in my interpretation of the subjects, but I think the pieces are coming along nicely. I can't share pictures of the works in progress yet...just no time to photograph right now. But I hope to release the collections before the end of August.


Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

I was completely inspired by the yellows and grays of Yellowstone. Interestingly enough, when perusing my gemstone options, I found Crazy Horse Picture Jasper - a perfect representation of the variety of grays, tans and yellows we discovered around Yellowstone. I can't wait to show the pieces to you!


A pine tree at our campsite in Yellowstone

I can't remember a time I didn't just love to be surrounded by forests of trees. Especially evergreens. Spending more than a week camping among them was somehow like being home (even though I grew up in Missouri around farm land - not a whole lot of trees.) There's something so comforting about all those trees - something strong and lasting. Despite some truly awesome and frightening wildfires in Yellowstone back in the 1980s that wiped out hundreds of acres of trees, the forest is coming back. The pine cones broke open from the heat of the wildfires releasing pine nuts, seeding a new forest. How can you not be inspired by that? Basically, forest = towering strength + resilience.


Forested Area of Custer, South Dakota


I'm still not entirely sure how to create forest-inspired jewelry collection that doesn't involve leaves or green - and maybe that's okay. Sometimes literal interpretation is needed. Otherwise, what's the point of paying homage? If you completely miss the point? 

A View from Beartooth Pass, Montana



On our way home from Yellowstone, we traveled Beartooth highway that winds around the mountain range from Wyoming up into Montana. I witnessed some of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen in those 60 or so miles of road. This photo is my favorite, capturing layers upon layers of sky and terrain, and reflected again in the lake waters. One of my pieces for the Canyon collection will be called Montana Sky, inspired entirely by the views from Beartooth Pass and this photo. I haven't started constructing it yet, but the aqua blue chalcedony beads arrived a couple of days ago. I believe it will be a truly stunning piece.

So that's what I did on my summer vacation.... ;) I plan to photograph some works in progress soon and will share them as I am able. Enjoy your summer - I encourage you to get out and travel. Go camping! And let nature inspire you, too!