Scarce Commodity...

I had to look something up on my blog from a few years ago.  I wasn't exactly sure of the entry, so I had to scan through several months worth of material.  I ended up falling down the rabbit hole of my own blog.  It's strange looking back on some of those entries.  I've had this blog for about ten years and there are over 3500 posts.  (And this is the most "recent" incarnation, as there were other platforms before this.)

When I look back, I can see how different I was and can see how some of those dreams and aspirations developed and changed.  I think the keyword there is, "changed".  So much has changed and I imagine it will continue to do just that, like the ceaseless turning of time and the ever-changing seasons.

Looking back also made me realize just how much I've missed blogging.  Even though I attempt to keep a semi-regular appearance here, I've noticed that things have gotten watered down and spaced out.  I used to post content three or four times a day and was constantly uploading images and words. I could say that there was some kind of big gestalt in the blogging world moving towards quicker, more readily digestible content formats (and perhaps to a degree that's true) but the biggest thing to happen was the opening of the store.  After that, time has been a scarce commodity.  When I do have a bit of time, I feel guilty when I'm not working on something.  I keep telling myself that these are the fledgling years and that this foundation-building time period is the most important.  I keep struggling forward, repeating to myself that I am working hard now so that I can work less later.

But, when will later come?  

If blogging has taught me anything, it's the importance of being mindful and capturing the moment.  It's a lesson I have to remind myself.  It's a lesson in not living in the past or living for a day far off into the future, but living for the day and finding a balance that is healthy, conducive to making things, and takes full advantage of the scarcest of commodities.

Evergreen Challenge...

This is the latest Design Kit Challenge: Evergreen!  If you haven't heard of the challenges before, they're a fun and informal way to push yourself creatively by using a selection of components that I've picked.

To participate, you must purchase a Design Kit. This kit features a selection of vintage acrylic, aventurine, waxed Irish linen, waxed cotton, vintage glass, vintage seed beads, Chinese jade, dyed pyrite and a Luxury Bead Blend.

The Luxury Bead Blend consists of Japanese Miyuki seed beads, Toho seed beads, Japanese Matsuno seed beads, vintage Czech seed beads, freshwater pearls, glass pearls, Czech glass (both old and new), aventurine, base metal, jade, ruby zoisite, serpentine, stone, vintage sequins, vintage German plastic, dyed wood, German glass, electroplated hematite, Swarovski crystals, vintage Japanese glass, Javanese glass, and vintage lucite.

But wait... there's more!  Each kit will come with a special handmade component that will remain a mystery until it arrives at your door! It may be more than one piece!

The mystery component(s) will be publicly revealed on Monday, November 30th, 2015! 

When I started to plan this kit, I was a little stumped.  I wanted to do one that fell in line with the holidays, but wasn't the traditional color schemes and didn't favor one holiday over the other.  Lately I've been drawing a lot of inspiration from gemstones, so I went to my workbench and found a strand of aventurine.  It was laying next a strand of Hill Tribe silver and it clicked into a place.  When I looked at these two strands, it made me think of the snow-dusted evergreens.  I could almost smell the clean, resinous smell of the branches.

With your kit, using as much or as little of it as you like, create a piece that showcases your creativity, individuality, and artistic expression!  Ideally you'll pull from the components in the kit and spotlight them, but feel free to use beads from your own stash to supplement the offered selection. Whether you use a little or a lot of the kit, make sure you keep your project secret until the reveal date!

The Reveal Date for this challenge is: Thursday, December 10th, 2015!

Post a picture on your blog or send one to me to post on your behalf (if you don't have a blog of your own). The Evergreen Challenge will end in a blog hop, sharing all the lovely things created with your kit with your fellow participants.

There are only 30 Design Kits available (with one set aside for me)! Once we receive your order, we will process your kit and send it out within seven Allegory Gallery business days. Hurry! Supplies are limited and are on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis! (Sorry, no exceptions!)

I also wanted to mention that all the Design Kits will be shipped with Priority mail. This can take anywhere from one business day to ten. For international orders, it may take longer! If you know that it take a long time to reach your destination (from Southwestern Pennsylvania) please place your orders early! I will do my best to get your kit out as early as possible, but unfortunately I can't be held responsible if it arrives late due to the postal service.

All sales of the Design Kits are final and there are no returns or exchanges. Sorry!

With all that being said... we really hope you'll enjoy working with the kit and have a ball playing with it! We can't wait to see what you make!

CLICK HERE to get your Design Kit!

Lunar Eclipse Challenge Reveal...

Today is the reveal for the Lunar Eclipse Challenge.  As always, I'm filled with much gratitude to see so many people acquire the kits and transform the raw components into something magical.  Each piece is different and unique and I always look forward to seeing what people will make.

The color palette for this challenge started off being inspired by smoky quartz and developed into a lovely autumn array of burnt golds, browns, and warm grays.  To read more about the inspiration CLICK HERE.  The kits also included a Mystery Component.  You can read about that by CLICKING HERE.

And without further ado... here's the reveal:

This necklace was made by Julie Tomes.  Here's what she had to say:  "Okay, here is my necklace!  I loved the colors in this kit.  They were very autumny.  I just wanted to make a simple necklace that could be worn with anything.  I was really excited when I realized a copper moon that I had previously made was a perfect compliment to the design I had in mind."

I made this necklace.  For the base of the necklace I used the smoky quartz rectangles and the vintage seed beads.  For the focal, I embellished a chain with wire-wrapped dangles.  The focal has a lot of movement and it just dances!  Often times I get folks who are curious about what to do with the vintage sequins that I include in the Luxury Bead Blends.  Here's an example of what can be done.  It gives just a hint of color.  

But wait... there's even more to see! Check out what these participants made for the Lunar Eclipse Challenge:

Up next is a Special Challenge to honor October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I hope you'll join us to see all the beautiful creations made with the Brave Angel kit.  I have scheduled this reveal for Thursday, October 29th!  We will also be doing auctions on some of the creations, so be sure to join us in acquiring some really cool creations.

ALSO... keep your eyes peeled for the next kit that will be released TOMORROW!  The kit is called, "Evergreen".  

Lunar Eclipse Mystery Component Reveal...

Take a look at the Mystery Component that was tucked in the Lunar Eclipse kit!  I made it out of polymer clay.  This is actually the third incarnation of this pendant.  I had a hard time trying to visually portray a lunar eclipse and ended up scraping the first two versions.  In the final design, I went with something that was less literal and more symbolic, almost like an alchemical symbol with a few flourishes.

The kit reveal is set for Thursday, October 15th!  Stop by and check out all the great designs!

Door Display...

In the shop, we had a credenza set up in the back room.  It belonged to William's grandma and it served us for many years.  In the old location, it provided much needed storage and display space that was behind glass.  Now that we're in the new store with tons of storage and several glass cases, we didn't need it as much and we weren't taking full advantage of the real estate.  We only had one display of pendants and a small box of beads set up.

When we moved into the new store, Diane Wilson was kind enough to gift us with two wooden doors.  With one door (and help from William's brother), we transformed it into our checkout desk.  I wanted to use the second door in a display, but didn't know how or really have the time to figure it out before we opened.  So we put it in the basement and promptly got distracted by running a store.

I set about reclaiming the real estate in the store and creating a new jewelry display.  I used scrap wood and a hand saw and made the rough shelves.

I had an old, heavy mirror that was taken from a sideboard.  I loved all the foxing and age speckles.  I knew I wanted to incorporate it, because I didn't want this display to look too new or too polished.  I was using an old door as the foundation piece after all.  

Once all the shelves were screwed in, I thought I was nearly done.  But I wanted it to be safe and it was definitely not safe just leaning against the wall.  Plus it'd create an unflattering angle when someone looked in the mirror.  So... I built a base and added brackets to the back.  

I used this chewed up, ratty brush to add the layers of primer and beige under-coat.  I wanted the paint job to have a lot of texture and look as though it had been a part of the original structure... painted and repainted over the years.  (You can also see that I decided to repaint the table-top in the background as well!  I figured that I might as well while I had the paint out.)

The original idea was to have the door floating, but with the brackets at the top for extra security, there was a natural shelf.  So I cut a board and put it on top.  I also added a piece of trim to the top.  (Not shown.)  I might add a light.  Eventually I'll place some hooks to hang necklaces.  Currently I am using it to display dozens of earring stands.

Even though it is pretty primitive, I still like it and think that I did a pretty good job.  I used mostly materials that were found around the shop and it provides some nice vertical display space.

Inspired by Reading September Blog Hop...

For September, we read, "Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore" by Robin Sloan.  The novel is about a unemployed graphic designer who finds work at a mysterious bookstore with an eclectic patronage.  While uncovering the centuries-old secrets hidden amongst the bookshelves, the protagonist finds modern day romance and unlocks more than he ever could imagine.  All of the participants agreed that it was a really engaging and funny novel.  For our purposes, some participants easily found inspiration and others struggled to find imagery that piqued their muses.

As always, it was a really fun meet-up!  You can't really see it, but I'm wearing a black robe.  (Several of the other members had black robes as well, but got too hot and took them off before the picture was taken.)  Members of the Reading Room wear the black robes.

We had quite the feast of sweets!  Since my birthday (and Dawn's birthday) recently passed, we celebrated with a cake!  (Thank you Aunt Peggy!)  Amy picked up lots of frozen yogurt from the creamery as well!  

Without further ado... here's the reveal:

Laurel Ross made this project.  Here's what she had to say about it:  "In the book there's a set of printing blocks, which turns out to be very important.  I saw these oversized letters and thought this would be perfect.  Along the edges and on the back, I inscribed an saying near and dear to my heart.  My kids wanted to get in on the fun and they also decorated their own letters!  Check out her blog HERE."

Dawn Berkebile made this piece.  Here's what she said about it:  "While I liked the book a lot, I couldn't find anything that really jumped out at me.  I thought about the dark, underground Reading Room and decided to make a necklace that captures the cold stone and warm wood."

I made this piece.  It's a pin made from polymer clay.  I carved the mold and pressed out the piece and then painted and embellished it after it had cured.  The open hands over the book are a symbol of the bookstore and the mysterious group.

But wait... there's more!  Check out what these participants made with "Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore" in mind:

Mary K McGraw

Sarajo Wentling

Eric Wentling

Ann Schroeder

Marie D'Onofrio

Alison Herrington

Andrew Thornton, Laurel Ross, and Dawn Berkebile

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs is up next for October!  CLICK HERE to see the full list of books for the year.  The in-person meet-up is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 28th.  The blog hop is scheduled for the following day.  I've heard a lot of people say how much they love this book, so hopefully lots of folks who have read it will participate!  If you're interested in keeping up with what we're doing, CLICK HERE to visit our Facebook group.

Gold Dust Special Challenge...

In one of the online forums, someone asked where they could see examples of what people made for the challenges.  So I posted the links to ALL the reveals.  In the process, I started counting them and realized that the next kit that I did would be the 25th kit since we rebooted the Design Challenges.  It boggles my mind that over 500 kits have been shipped out world-wide.

This is the latest Design Kit Challenge: Gold Dust!  If this is the first time you're finding out about these challenges, it's an informal and fun way to push yourself creatively by using an assortment of components that I've picked out.

To participate, you must purchase a Design Kit. This kit features a selection of premium Czech glass (both new and vintage), vintage lucite, waxed Irish linen, vintage German glass, vintage seed beads, 24k gold plated copper, brass, recycled sari silk ribbon, plated faceted pyrite rondelles and a Luxury Bead Blend.

The Luxury Bead Blend consists of Japanese Miyuki seed beads, Toho seed beads, Japanese Matsuno seed beads, vintage Czech seed beads, freshwater pearls, glass pearls, Czech glass (both old and new), pyrite, stone, vintage sequins, vintage German plastic, dyed wood, German glass, electroplated hematite, Swarovski crystals, vintage Japanese glass, Javanese glass, and vintage lucite.

But wait... there's more!  Each kit will come with a special handmade component that will remain a mystery until it arrives at your door! It may be more than one piece!

The mystery component(s) will be publicly revealed on Monday, November 9th, 2015!

When I started to plan this kit, I had already wanted to use pyrite as the source inspiration.  As I worked with it more, it reminded of a time when I found a piece of fools gold and felt like I had won a million dollars.  I wanted to capture that luxurious feel and bumped up the gold-tones, yellows, and metallics.  I broke the budget and splurged a little on some of the components.  I also wanted to launch the kit today, because it's the 25th and this will be the 25th kit!

With your kit, using as much or as little of it as you like, create a piece that showcases your creativity, individuality, and artistic expression! Ideally you'll pull from the components in the kit and spotlight them, but feel free to use beads from your own stash to supplement the offered selection. Whether you use a little or a lot of the kit, make sure you keep your project secret until the reveal date!

The Reveal Date for this challenge is: Thursday, November 19th, 2015!

Post a picture on your blog or send one to me to post on your behalf (if you don't have a blog of your own). The Gold Dust Special Challenge will end in a blog hop, sharing all the lovely things created with your kit with your fellow participants.

There are only 30 Design Kits available (with one set aside for me)! Once we receive your order, we will process your kit and send it out within seven Allegory Gallery business days. Hurry! Supplies are limited and are on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis! (Sorry, no exceptions!)

I also wanted to mention that all the Design Kits will be shipped with Priority mail. This can take anywhere from one business day to ten. For international orders, it may take longer! If you know that it take a long time to reach your destination (from Southwestern Pennsylvania) please place your orders early! I will do my best to get your kit out as early as possible, but unfortunately I can't be held responsible if it arrives late due to the postal service.

All sales of the Design Kits are final and there are no returns or exchanges. Sorry!

With all that being said... we really hope you'll enjoy working with the kit and have a ball playing with it! We can't wait to see what you make!

CLICK HERE to get your Design Kit!

Heather Powers Visit...

Take a look at this article that appeared in the Ligonier Echo about Heather's trip.  We are so lucky to be able to have her come out!  I'm really happy that we could make it work out!

Today was the optional field trip to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater House.  We loaded up the car and headed over.  Our little gang included Alison, Heather, Rosanne, Terri and me.  Above is a picture of Alison, Heather, and Rosanne.  (Terri must have been further ahead on the trail.)

I don't typically post a lot of pictures of myself, but I had to post this selfie taken in front of the iconic cantilevers.

And here's the view of the house.  We had a fun time exploring the house.  Even though I have visited several times, I learn a little more each time.  It really changes depending on the tour guide.

While we were in the area, we headed over to Ohiopyle for a visit to the falls.  Since our retreat this weekend is waterfall themed, it was perfect!

After our adventures, we headed over to Mountain Palace for some Northern Chinese food.  I'm always really happy with the meals we get there.  Everything is fresh and just yummy.  

It was a great precursor to the weekend workshop and I can't wait to meet everyone and make lots of pretty things!

Warrior Stone Challenge Reveal...

Today is a fun day!  It's the reveal of the Warrior Stone Challenge.  I really want to thank everyone who participates and continues to make these challenges possible.  THANK YOU!  Each challenge is exciting for me, because I get to see how different people encounter the same materials and make them truly their own.

The color palette for this challenge started off being inspired by labradorite.  The kit includes shades of gray, gold, green, and purple with pops of silver and blue.  To read more about the inspiration and the component fixings, CLICK HERE.

And without further ado... here's the reveal:

These pieces were created by Melissa Wynne.  Here's what she had to say about them:  "The colors in this challenge were great, as all the challenge color selections have been.  As I've done in previous challenges, I utilized pieces of my late mother's jewelry and also beads I purchased from the "Bead Lady" – a woman who sold wonderful vintage beads at a long gone swap meet."

Here's a close-up of the bracelet.  "I've been on a bracelet kick lately.  So my favorite creation is the wrap bracelet.  It was quite an experiment in texture and design.  It also can be worn as a necklace.  I found this to be funny!  When I made the "circles" in the necklace using the stone chips, I thought I'd really done something unique... until... I saw stone chip circles everywhere!  Thank you again for exercising my brain!"

These pieces were created by Kathleen Ennis-Reid.  Here's what she had to say about them:  "So far, this has to be my favorite kit!  Labradorite is a stone of my heart and I wear it a lot.  I love the color story that Andrew has put together – lots of blue flash to be found in this kit!  The heart pendant has been languishing in my stash for quite awhile.  I decided to use it as the focal for this piece.  I usually do multi-strand pieces with a little more randomness to it, but this kit felt like it needed a more regimented look to it.  So two matching strands hold a handmade bail for the heart.  I made matching labradorite earrings with teardrop dangles."

This piece was made by Cathy Jakicic.  Here's what she had to say about it:  "I did a little free-form embroidery with the challenge treasures.  I used some seed beads from my own stash to add some background texture and to bring out the color of the labradorite.  As you can see, I used the secret component as the clasp."

Here's another view of Cathy's cuff. "I think the cuff has a "warrior" feel to it.  Think Wonder Woman without all the primary colors."

These pieces were created by Lisa Mendum.  Here's what she had to say about them:  "I have participated in a handful of challenges and sometimes they are the only beading I have time for and I love them!  The kits often feature colors outside my comfort zone, which is fantastic for creative growth.  I haven't much time for beading so the pieces I created for Warrior Stone aren't really complicated.  I did throw in some of my own skeleton beads for extra fun!"

This piece was made by me.  Originally I wanted to make something more tribal and look like it belonged to a shaman.  But as I played with the components the beads led me to this rather delicate and dainty piece.  On the left side of the piece is a wire-wrapped link chain with a few garnets for a pop of color and the rest is all chain with wire-wrapped link embellishments.  It took some playing to get the proportions and weighting right so that the large labradorite coin didn't migrate.  

But wait... there's even more to see!  Check out what these participants made for the Warrior Stone Challenge:

An InLinkz Link-up

Up next is the Lunar Eclipse Challenge!  I hope you'll join us to see all the great pieces on the reveal date!  I have it scheduled for Thursday, October 15th.

ALSO... keep your eyes peeled for another Special Challenge that will be released on my birthday, September 25th!  This will be the 25th kit (since we rebooted the challenges)!  Hurray!

Bead and Craft Bloggers...

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
This just in!  Pantone has announced the Fashion Color Report for Spring 2016!  What's your favorite choice for Color of the Year?

Chalk Paint Plaque - Something Wonderful
Learn recipes for chalk paint and how to use it to create an inspirational wall plaque.

Art Bead Scene
Check out Claire's inspiring take on this month's challenge painting and her art bead selections to whet your appetite!

Get Colorful
Coloring intricate designs is a new trend for adults and a great way to relieve stress.  The Crafty Princess has a free downloadable image from a new coloring book available on her weblog.

Blue Mood
Connie's added a new chart to her Etsy shop that will be easily adapted to any holiday or season.  Find links to all her pattern sources in the blog post as well.

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares some strategies for combining bead embroidery with free form beadweaving.

Snap out of it, Jean!  There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews a fab book by Keiko Nakamoto on wrap bracelets, "DIY Wrap Bracelets: 25 Designs Using Beads, Thread, Ribbon, Cord, and More!"  So fun!

Last Harvest Challenge Kits SOLD OUT...

I'm always blown away with how quickly the challenge kits sell out.  The Last Harvest kit is now sold out.  It really means a lot to me that they are so well received.  Sometimes when I'm in the studio and I'm pulling strands and mixing combinations, it's hard to envision how others will respond to the components I select.  There are so many other challenges nowadays and so many other kits available.  It's a good feeling to know that people like what I put together and want to challenge themselves creatively!  So many thanks to everyone who purchased a kit!  I'm curious to see what you guys will make!

Last Harvest Challenge...

I'm so pleased to announce our latest Design Kit Challenge: Last Harvest!  If this is your first time learning about our challenges, they're a really fun way to play with your creativity by working with an array of pre-selected components.

To participate, you must purchase a Design Kit. This kit features a selection of premium Czech glass (both new and vintage), vintage acrylic, carnelian, waxed Irish linen, vintage German glass, vintage seed beads, Javanese glass, and a Luxury Bead Blend. 

The Luxury Bead Blend consists of Japanese Miyuki seed beads, Toho seed beads, Japanese Matsuno seed beads, vintage Czech seed beads, freshwater pearls, glass pearls, Czech glass (both old and new), carnelian, red tiger's eye, red agate, stone, vintage sequins, vintage German plastic, dyed wood, German glass, electroplated hematite, Swarovski crystals, vintage Japanese glass, Javanese glass, and vintage lucite. 

But wait... there's more!  Each kit will come with a special handmade component that will remain a mystery until it arrives at your door! It may be more than one piece!

The mystery component(s) will be publicly revealed on Monday, October 26th, 2015! 

For the past few challenges, I've been looking to gemstones for as a starting off point.  Once I've thought about the stone, I go from there.  This kit was inspired by carnelian.  Growing up in Florida, we didn't really have seasons.  Everything stayed pretty monochromatically green and then brownish in winter.  When I moved up North, I was shocked by the color displays that accompanied the coming of fall.  I would spend hours in Central Park absorbing the glow of burnt oranges, honey golds, and russet browns.  I remember sitting at the Bethesda Pavillon, taking in the explosion of color while listening to a man play the string bass, breathing in cool crisp air, smelling roasted almonds, and sipping on hot apple cider. When I look at carnelian, I think of autumn and this riot of warm, rich, colors.  It's hard not to think of pumpkins and spice.  This provided the perfect autumn color palette.

The longer that I stayed in the Northeast, the original excitement of autumn was replaced with a bittersweetness.  While I love everything fall, knowing that the cold and bleakness of winter is right around the corner certainly tempered my initial enthusiasm.  It also made me appreciate the abundance of the autumn all the more.  It is the last hoorah before the landscape goes to sleep.  And this was the inspiration for the title of this challenge.  It's a celebration of the Last Harvest before the cold of winter sets in.

In coming up with the color scheme, I was also strongly influenced by the Pantone Color Forecast for Fall 2015.  I pulled heavily from Cadmium Orange.  I sprinkled in bits of Oak Buff and even a dash of Marsala to complete the autumnal palette.

With your kit, using as much or as little of it as you like, create a piece that showcases your creativity, individuality, and artistic expression!  Ideally you'll pull from the components in the kit and spotlight them, but feel free to use beads from your own stash to supplement the offered selection.  Whether you use a little or a lot of the kit, make sure you keep your project secret until the reveal date!

The Reveal Date for this challenge is: Thursday, November 6th, 2015! 

Post a picture on your blog or send one to me to post on your behalf (if you don't have a blog of your own).  The Last Harvest Challenge will end in a blog hop, sharing all the lovely things created with your kit with your fellow participants.

There are only 30 Design Kits available (with one set aside for me)! Once we receive your order, we will process your kit and send it out within seven Allegory Gallery business days. Hurry! Supplies are limited and are on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis! (Sorry, no exceptions!)

I also wanted to mention that all the Design Kits will be shipped with Priority mail. This can take anywhere from one business day to ten. For international orders, it may take longer! If you know that it take a long time to reach your destination (from Southwestern Pennsylvania) please place your orders early! I will do my best to get your kit out as early as possible, but unfortunately I can't be held responsible if it arrives late due to the postal service.

All sales of the Design Kits are final and there are no returns or exchanges.  Sorry!  (Also, I have to mention that this kit is not sponsored by or affiliated with Pantone.  I just really dig their Color Reports!)

With all that being said... we really hope you'll enjoy working with the kit and have a ball playing with it!  We can't wait to see what you make!

CLICK HERE to get your Design Kit!

Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2016...

They've just announced the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2016!  Hurray!  I love the Color Reports.  I think of them almost like a secret decoder ring and whenever I look at fashion magazines or the latest color trends, I feel like I'm in on the secret workings.  Of course, they aren't secret at all.  CLICK HERE to see the complete Spring 2016 Color Report and learn more about it.  The theme for the upcoming season is "A Transporting and Transformative Canvas".  Leatrice Eiseman, the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, said, "Colors this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves."  The bright, almost primary colors are grounded with muted tones and pastels.  What do you think the color of the year will be?  I'm rooting for Serenity or Lilac Gray!  

Away and Back...

I don't often get to see my parents.  They still live in Florida and while I try to get down there when I can, with the business still in the first few years and growing rapidly, it's hard to make time for extended visits.  My mom was visiting my sister in North Carolina and while it is still a long trip, it's much closer.  I also wanted to see the kids since they are growing like weeds.  (Plus I was able to squeeze in a little bit of business, which made the trip much more doable.)

I didn't take that many pictures this past weekend.  I'm usually compulsive about pulling out my phone and snapping photos, but it just didn't happen.  Above is a picture I took of the Apple Festival in Hendersonville.  It's one of the few that took over the Labor Day Weekend.

Cynthia and I started work on some projects, but we were both recovering from colds and weren't as energetic as usual.  Mostly the time was spent talking with our mom and playing with the kids and working on puzzles.  It's interesting how we have changed over the years and still continue to change.  When I was growing up there was this empty space in our family and that absence influenced everything.  So much blame and guilt brewed beneath the surface.  Now that we finally have answers and my brother has returned, we're all sort of learning our new roles and there are new things to contend with.  While my mom is thankfully healthy, when I look at her now, I can see the years creeping in on her.  And while I didn't get to see my dad this trip (he stayed back in Florida), I can hear it in his voice.  It's even more pronounced when I see Azalea and how she is quickly transforming into a young lady.  There was a time when she was so small and I was afraid to hold her because I was worried that I'd break her.  Now she's almost as tall as my mom.  It's so strange and I don't think I've fully processed it yet.  As I drove back, I tried to make sense of time and change.  I don't think I came to any solid conclusions... except to cherish the ones you love.

Bead and Craft Bloggers...

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Soldering is fun and Andrew has been obsessed with making rings.  But... he took a short break to whip up a pair of earrings!

SAL Diamond Three
Connie has posted the latest Diamond section for the free SAL (Stitch-along) and she shows two different examples of how it could be stitched.

Necklace Tutorial
Crystals, pearl beads, and chain make a colorful necklace that has an antique feel to it.

Art Bead Scene
Check out September's gorgeous new challenge piece from artist, Vanessa Bell!

Decoupage Outdoor Furniture
Check out products and techniques to decoupage outdoor furniture, including step-by-step picnic table directions.

Beading Arts
One of Cyndi's favorite pieces won a silver medal in Fire Mountain Gems' seed bead contest!

Snap out of it, Jean!  There's beading to be done!
Jean discusses the beauty of wrap bracelets and shows her most recent creation!

More Coin Rings...

I managed to squeeze in some studio time and work.  Here are a few coin rings that I made.  They aren't finished just yet.  I need to finish them off by buffing them and cleaning them up, but they are close.  I'm still smitten with the contrast between the weathered bronze and the shiny silver.  It's also nice to be able to "frame" some of my original artwork and translate it into something wearable.