shine...

working on... 

light comes from within... 


so shine it


as brightly as you can... 


you never know whose flame may be down to just a  flicker


and needs your spark to get it going again... 

flaming color

'october's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.'

~ nova blair

'autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains,

a torch flung to the trees.'

~ faith baldwin

every one has a strength, something they do exceptionally well - i really feel that erin at every heart crafts has the market on leaves... it took me so long to get one because i just could not decide which color i wanted to work with... & when it arrived i was instantly overcome with a feeling of needing to place berries near to it... deep red/oranges... evocative of the season... and so i did... 'autumn's fire' features berries of lampwork glass, carnelian, ceramic and pearl... soldered rings in copper and sterling are connected with forged & paddled double ended sterling bars... vintaj brass chain with its warm brown color is paired with a length of lavic & picture jasper beads (there are so many jasper names)... 

'delicious autumn! my very soul is wedded to it,

and if i were a bird i would fly about the earth seeking 

the successive autumns.'

~ george eliot

a small antiqued bird charm nestles in amongst the cluster... 

hope the season is beginning to show itself in your part of the world!

gratitude

'at times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.'
- albert schweitzer

no doubt, the appropriate way to begin this blog is to say 'thank you' - to family and friends who love and encourage and to the amazing artists i have met through etsy who have helped me to grow and create in ways that i didn't know i could...

since joining etsy and discovering the artists that dwell there, i have been more inspired than ever and pushed myself harder... and i am so happy for that... maybe it's because i feel like i know the people behind the art, so i feel more responsible to do their work justice with my work... there is a connection that exists when you purchase directly - even though your new friends are in other parts of the country or even canada... they have all been patient and kind when i shoot out my ideas and ask for custom orders - i thank you all for that...

i would like to mention in particular (but in no particular order!)

mak at MAKUstudio for her beautiful raku beads
beth at hintjewelry for her inspiring and eloquently created charms
cathy at cathydailey for her unique sterling components created in the art of lost wax casting
nicole at NValentineStudio for her incredible glass work - especially the goddesses!
rocki at RockisSupplies for her metal work providing ear wires and clasps that i choose not to work without
donna at purplepozies for her beautiful glass beads that i count on
maryann at LindenAvenueDesigns for glass offerings that support my eclectic nature
marie at BleuVerre for inspiration and unique glass beads that i count on for my funky days

so thank you one and all for helping me to do what i love ~ creating with pieces i love to touch and work with, pieces i can feel the hands and imagination of the artist in... i have a connection to the final designs when they are done for when i look at them, i think of each of you and how you helped to make it happen...