Weekend at the Camp

Barry and I made our end of summer trip up to the camp to enjoy some of the great weather while it lasts and it couldn't have been any better.  Sunny days and we had the pond to ourselves for the most part.  It was perfectly quiet with the exception of the occasional blasts from the nearby shooting range, but other than that it was glorious.  

I of course took the kayak around to scout for signs of wildlife and check in to see how the pond monster was doing. I spotted a few turtles, frogs, dipper ducks, and these creatures. A prehistoric bird and a malnourished horse. 

We had a few fireworks extravaganzas that Barry blasted off from a little raft with a rope attached.  While cleaning up the next day, I was admiring some of the artwork on the fireworks packaging.

One of the limbs from the giant old oak tree in front of the camp had fallen recently and had to be cleaned up.  It fell right where I've done my sunbathing on the beach many a time.  Unfortunately the old tree is on it's way out. It's been a part of the family for many years.

This is prime acorn harvesting season so I gathered up a batch while the gettin' was good. They're wonderful for fall craft projects and photo props.

 It wasn't too windy, so I set up an outdoor glazing studio on Barry's newly refurbished picnic table.

Ah, the camp.  Until the next time.  Hopefully it will be before next summer!

Last Blast of Summer!

It's not quite labor day yet, but there's change in the air and the leaves are already starting to show signs of autumn color.  Celebrate the remainder of summer by adding some pieces to your bead stash from my Clayworksnh Etsy shop. 

Thanks so much!

Clayworksnh in the Fall Jewelry Stringing Issue!

Just thought I would share my news about the new Fall 2012 Jewelry Stringing Magazine!

Earlier in the year I submitted a few of my ceramic pendants for the Ultimate Shopping Guide section, and was happy to find out my Porcelain Beech Leaf Pendant was selected!

Framed in a crisp turquoise, teal and purple blue sky, this focal features a detailed hand painted beech leaf design. The leaf is lightly glazed to highlight the natural detail. Perfect for summer or fall, this pendant is available in my Clayworksnh Etsy shop. Several members from the Beads of Clay Professional Artisan Team are featured in the Ultimate Shopping Guide.

 

To double the excitement, a pair of my earrings made with some of my Clayworksnh components were also published in the same issue in the earring gallery!

 

Using silver plated wire and findings, I joined a pair of my round turquoise components with a pair of my oval components glazed in a trio of Coyote cone six glazes, then accented them with faceted adventurine stones and tiger eye rounds.

Components similar to the ones I used for these dangles are available in my Etsy shop.

I've always loved this magazine and the fall issue is brimming with awesome jewelry designs!

The "My Bead Table" Beads Arrived!

The other day my beads arrived for the "My Bead Table" Blog Hop!  I finally had a chance to look at these in the sunlight and the closer I look at these, the more interesting they become!  Decorative wooden beads, lucite flowers and leaves, jordan almonds of turquoise, sparkling yellow raspberries, a sweet little lampwork pooch and more!

Lisa Lodge hosted a blog hop recently, and I had so much fun creating with her beads and checking out what everyone else made, I decided to join in for the upcoming hop which will take place October 13th.  Each of the 25 participants receive different kits, and are encouraged to use as many of the beads in the kit as possible, incorporating beads from their bead table and bead stash if necessary.  I'm excited to get started!

Summer Color Surprise Reveal!

Welcome to the Summer Color Surprise Blog Hop! 

All of the participants received a different color goody bag, then we all created something using at least half of the beads we were sent. These are some of the colorful summer beads from the hop's host Lisa Lodge, which included some really great glass, stones, shells and copper elements to name a few:

 

I combined Lisa's beads with some of my new Clayworksnh porcelain floral pendants and matching beads,

along with some seed beads, and copper birds & elements. Here's the bracelet and necklace I came up with ~ 

I love these colors together!

I hope you'll check out all of the creations made by the other Summer Color Challenge participants:

Our Host: Lisa Lodge

Audrey Belanger

Lisa Boucher

Eleanor Burian-Mohr

Marlene Cupo

Marla Gibson

Alicia Marinache

Inge von Ross

Stephanie Stamper

Diane Valasek

Thank you Lisa for hosting and for such a fabulous mix to work with! 

Summer Happenings at Clayworks

Well, last weekend we finally made our annual pilgrimage up to "Misery Gulch".  Barry headed up earlier in the day, and I joined him up there in the evening and was still able to take in the beauty of the pond and notice some of the changes in the scenery since last fall.

One thing I hadn't noticed before was the old birch is starting to resemble an old corset.

These beautiful little pink flowers were blooming out front near the beach.

Right before the sun went down, I decided to take out the clay and make a few beads. With no electricity, all dead batteries in the flashlights, no candles to be found, and the lanterns not yet lit, I attempted to continue making beads in the dark, and ended up with some interesting two holed specimens. Apparently being able to see what you're doing does make a difference.

Tree bark makes for a nice cozy drying tray.

The following morning I took the kayak around the pond and picked up some interesting plant specimens.

Have you ever Really looked at the inside of a water lily?

Wouldn't that make for a nice little sun stamp?

These fun little green bulbs were from a white flowering bush on the edge of the pond, and I found them to be fantastic for texture.

Fun with shrubbery.

I'm still cleaning all of the beads from this batch, and hope to get them fired up soon.  Until the next trip to the camp.... 

On a closing note, I wanted to share some exciting news that a necklace by the talented designer Cherrie Fick, featuring one of my starfish pendants, 

 

was published in the July 2012 Bead Trends issue!

 

I've always admired Cherrie's work, and was thrilled to see her beautiful necklace "Swept by the Sea".  The elements look like they were just meant to go together.  I love the way the cord is woven through the chain, and the decorative way the wire is used as a bail on the pendant.  Cherrie's in good company, this magazine is full of gorgeous designs.  Thank you Cherrie for always creating fresh and original work to enjoy.

New Stoneware Starfish Connectors!

Recently listed in my Clayworksnh Etsy shop ~ starfish connectors perfect for bracelet and jewelry projects. Glazed in a shimmery sea mix of teal, purples, blues, turquoise and metallic green.