Time Out for a Creativity Boost

Twelve-hour days have become the norm in my studio, as I'm preparing for an art show next month. Tomorrow is October - impossible to believe!

Tonight is one of those rare occasions I have the house to myself. I plan to put my needle down, give my hands (and shoulders!) a break, and spend it right here, with a glass of red and my two favorite magazines: Where Women Create and Belle Armoire Jewelry.

A pot of last night's carrot-fennel soup is reheating on the stove, and my jalapeno cornbread smells just about ready to come out of the oven.

A quick dinner, and then I'm going to grab a blanket, settle back into the pillows, prop my feet up and be inspired by the creative processes of some pretty extraordinary artists. Here's a look at one of the studios featured in the Autumn issue of Where Women Create. I want to move right in!

Fresh Starts

I love Fall.  Partly because my birthday is in October.  But mostly because of the cool, foggy mornings, the feel of warm fabrics, and the promise of new beginnings and fresh starts.

Energized and ready for action following a long summer hiatus from blogging and from my bead table, I spent September transitioning to a new season –refocusing, reorganizing and re-evaluating my approach to design.

Yesterday brought the first official day of Fall. I spied what to me is the very essence of the season - a trio of pie pumpkins on the shelf at my neighborhood Publix. And I received an acceptance letter into my first juried Art Show. So much to be excited about!

Here’s a look at one of the new designs I’ve been working on in September - long, sleek lariats to go with the changing necklines of Fall.

 

Sapphire rondelles and metal seed beads in platinum and pewter
 bring together Pantone's Royal Blue and Aluminum for Fall.
Contemporary sterling leaf shapes are from Nina Designs.

I also love the look of Sangria and Aluminum, another Pantone Fall color trend.
In this lariat I've used garnet and rose quartz rondelles with a natural ruby focal.

Like pumpkins and changing leaves,
labradorite and garnet set against brass seed beads just say Fall to me.

What are you excited about this Fall?