Sunshine and lollipops...

Or perhaps I should say orange drops. These luscious carnelian drops look good enough to eat. These cheerful little beads reflect my mood today and the weather outside. It's been a sunny and warm Sunday--with a clear blue sky, gentle waves lapping the sand, and a practically perfect summer-like day.

Yesterday was busy, today is a lazy day. After having my spirit fed as I attended church earlier, the rest of the day has been quietly spent enjoying the beauties of nature and reflecting on the wonderful blessings in my life. Today my little world is worry free...like Scarlett O'Hara...I'll think about what comes next...tomorrow.

Oh yes, this necklace is knotted on a silk cord, with tiny swarovski crystals cushioning each drop and finished off with a sterling clasp. At a generous 40" length, it can be a single strand or double strand necklace....or wrap it around your wrist for a 5 strand bracelet that is simply delicious!

Be sure to stop by all these wonderful blogs tomorrow---it's a group I belong to that did a Jewelry Swap and remake. I didn't get to participate this time, but I'm sure you're going to see some great ideas and beautiful jewelry here when they have the big reveal tomorrow!!!!

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/

Jen Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/

Johanna Rhodes http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.com/

Laurel Steven http://laurelsteven.blogspot.com/

Loretta Carstensen http://www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com/

Lori Anderson http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/

Marianna Boylan http://www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com/

Norma Turvey http://www.moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com/

Sharon Misuraco http://goinoffthebeadinpath.blogspot.com/

Stacey Curry http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com/

Tyne Bodenburg http://www.tynebodennecklaces.blogspot.com/

One Knot, Two Knots, Three Knots, Four......

A funny thing happened last night while watching tv with my hubby--my fingers got itchy. It had to be something simple, because otherwise I would be so distracted I wouldn't be good company. So, I started knotting, and couldn't stop. There is something very soothing about doing a little knotting now and then. I'm sure I wouldn't think that if I had to do it all the time, but sometimes it's just the relaxing thing that fills the bill. I scrambled for some odds and ends I had around the house and once I started I couldn't stop. These ended up to be the most comfortable, and delightful bracelets. I'm happy to say they made my itchy fingers sing!

This one is my favorite, although the pictures don't show it off as well as I like. If you've been around very long, you know matchy-matchy isn't my favorite, so I loved the color combo--yummy olive greens and dark aqua/peacock blues and the occasional round pearl among the coins. I also love the sterling and brass clasp from Pegasus--there's something very bohemian

..and very me about this one.

Well, I really liked this one too...I made this with leftovers of one of my favorite strands of carved mossy pink amethyst ovals. They were hand cut, which makes them just enough different from one another to please me. Combined with this delicious Saki Silver gold vermeil flower toggle, it puts a smile on my face.

Whoa, these lush rich wine colored mother of pearl ovals aren't too shabby either....and I love this exotic matte gold vermeil clasp to add a little warmth.

This bracelet with some fancy smancy larimar ovals was where I started, these have some yummy color variations and I used a very cool gold filled clasp that slips together for a lovely finish. These beads came in an exchange/bead swap with Lori Anderson---so thanks Lori, here's how I used your lovelies.

Knotting is easy, knotting is fun....once you start you'll never be done!

Endless Summer

Well, with warm sunshiny days and beautiful sunsets like this, it did seem like summer was endless last week at our cozy little beach cottage! We woke up to a drizzly rain and foamy surf this morning, so maybe we will have a little autumn after all.

Inspired by my 'window to the sea' I just had to put together a little homage to the beach with one of my delightful lampwork beads by Vickie Miller, some turquoise stones and a little bit of silver. More coming sooon...my workbench is calling.....