And then it was Fall

When did this happen?  I do have to say, this might be the first fall that I'm okay with, even a little excited about.  I usually dread this season as it is the messenger that whispers winter's on its way.  After so much heat and humidity though, the crisp air and lack of bugs is quite welcome. The changing landscape isn't bad either. 

Saturday was a frigid but fun day at the market.  I embraced the day decadently with raspberry hot chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream.  The response to my new bronze and silver Modern Relics has been wonderful.  I just made this pair of bronze earrings and they sold seconds after I put them out, luckily I remembered to snap a photo of them.  I can't believe I only have a few markets left.  I'm already filling my holiday schedule up with craft shows and trunk shows.  AH!

This photo is from a few weeks ago but I forgot to post it then.  Fall pics coming soon...

Modern Relics come alive

Been a while since I last posted, I've been busy making these!  

Blue Buddha pendant (well, blue/green).  Bronze set in Silver, with silver beads and Peruvian Opal.

The back features the 8 auspicious symbols of Buddhism.
Unearthed Ring (aka Bronze Knuckles).  Bronze set in silver spanning two ring bands.
On my hand.
Patched Tablet Ring.  Bronze set in silver.
Fern Fossil Pendant. The bronze came out with a beautiful rainbow of patina.  I polished up the surface and this fall leaf 'emerged'.
It is set in silver and it is reversible.
Round Fern Fossil Pendant.  Love that patina!
Back.

Work with what ya got...

As I worked on a pair of new Raga earrings today, I contemplated how these evolved and how many of my creations have come to be. For so long I COLLECTED. All of the beads and treasures that I was finding and buying amounted to more than I could make with them. I was taking in more than I was putting out. At a certain point I had to STOP the madness! I was running out of room, I was forgetting where I put things and I felt overwhelmed by all of this STUFF. It was time to start using it, 'to work with what I got'. Now there's a certain rhythm to my work. The excess from my "Rags and Riches" necklaces becomes a pair of Raga earrings.The trinkets and charms that don't make there way into Journey necklaces become little "Key Chain" necklaces. Only a few beads leftover from stringing a necklace? Those get wired together to make a little charm. Leftover bits of chain become chain extender. I get a sense that I'm finishing what's on my plate. Sometimes just sorting through what I already have leads me in totally new directions. All these things that I've hoarded and admired get to become new things and go out into the world. It's better for my wallet, for the environment, for my living space. All this 'working with what I got' reinforces that concept within my life and its not a bad thing to be reminded of.

Tomatoes, a flower and a stone

I had another amazing market day!  It started out drizzly but the day soon became sunny and warm.  The past 2 markets I sold 2 pairs of my Peruvian Opal earrings.  I've never had an item sell like this!  So this time I made 3 pairs and all 3 pairs sold!  
The day concluded with me scrambling at the farmer's market for some last minute treats.  I was given a heaping pint of tomatoes at one stand and after purchasing some sunflowers at another booth- a free flower for my hair, which is right where it went.  Then while packing up my work, a lovely gentleman handed me a jasper stone- just because.  In this short period of time, these simple gifts filled me with good energy and such a sense of connection to the market and Burlington and Vermont...and to being alive!  Doesn't take much to make me happy!