October Fest

Autumn is apparently well under way in Northern Europe but here in Morocco the weather is warm and sunny for the most part with little sign of change. The trees are mostly palms or citrus fruit so no leave turning brown either. Life on a boat means that for the most part we stay almost continually in summer but I do miss the changing seasons, the bright new greens of Spring and the rich hues of Autumn. So coming across pictures themed around October in Jewel School Friends latest blog hop inspired me to get a bit more in step with the season.

The colours in one particular photo reminded me of beads in my stash. It took a while to locate them, living on a boat means my bead boxes (all two of them) are tucked away on a bunk usually behind lots of other more useful stuff like charts and life jackets. The beads in question are large and have survived so long because I was not entirely certain how to string them or whether I could even wear them. I fell in love with their glittery shape like a magpie on a visit to a South African bead shop and they've been tucked away for several years, retrieved from time to time to wonder over but until now ideas which would set them off have failed to materialise.

Hand made clasp in brass wire

They are polished resin ovals containing stripes of sharp colour alternated with gold glitter so are not exactly subdued. Like bright colours of a Virginia Creeper these beads shout loudly for attention and deserved to have their season - the acid green, oranges, gold and brown entirely suit Autumn. A length of chestnut coloured leather thong, some gold coloured tiger wire together with a brass wire hook clasp made several months ago and a few other beads complete the ensemble. All that's need now is an occasion to wear it before the season draws to a close.

Autumn Jewels

Close up of the beads

Hope you enjoy Autumn too why not hop over to some of these other season October Fest 13 blog posts, I'm sure you'll be made welcome and find a feast of season goodies:

Andrea Glick-Zenith         http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Dolores Raml                    http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                    http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com

Susan                                 http://libellulajewelry.com

Mischelle Andrade            http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Kay Thomerson                 http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/

Billi                                    http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/

Jean Yates                          http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/

Kelly Hosford Patterson    http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com

Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com

Liz E                                   http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com

Jasvanti Patel                     http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Christie Murrow                www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Jodie Marshall                   http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/

Andrea Trank                    http://heavenlanecreations.com/

Dini Bruinsma                   http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl

Elsie Deliz  Fonseca          http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/

Pepita                                www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                    http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/

Kathleen                            http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/

Vera Lynn                          http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/

Rana Wilson                      http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/

Catherine King                  http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/

Lily Vincent                       http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/

Janice Hidey (Janimar)      http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/

Cory Tompkins                  http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com

Candida Castleberry          www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com

Cynthia Kent Machata       http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache               http://www.allprettythings.ca

Linda Anderson                 http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com

Leah Curtis                        http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno (JenRen)     http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Robin Reed                        http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Tanty Sri Hartanti              www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com

Lisa Lodge                        http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/

Ingrid A.                            http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Judy Turner                       www.silver-rains.blogspot.com

Gina Hockett                     http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/

Nelly May                         www.smellynelly.blogspot.com

Tanya McGuire                 http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Ahowin                              http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com

Sonya Stille                       http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com

Pam                                   http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com

Carol D.                            http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/

Asri Wahyuningsih           http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/

Ginger Bishop                  http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com

Janine                               http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Shaiha Williams               http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Caroline                            http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Toltec Jewels                   www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

 

Been Awhile

So it has been over six months since I posted anything here... and almost that long since I actually made anything beady. Been busy sailing and exploring but having ended up in Morocco for a few weeks I am determined to get my stash out and make something. Watch this space!!

I fully intend to attempt a few challenges to get the creative juices flowing again. I found this list of interesting challenges most of which are now over but still it gave me a few ideas: Jewel School Friends