The earring series

So....whats with the earrings?  Well I'm not entirely sure myself, I just seem to be really enamored with them lately.  I love that I can take a small left over pile of beads and make a beautiful piece of jewelry out of them.

I finished some wedding jewelry, a sash to be exact that will adorn a wedding gown, and I had all these nice gold beads.

Here is the stash I pulled for the wedding sash.  I used a shibori ribbon, seeds, crystal, pearls and some gold flowers.

The tray that was left when done h the seeds, crystal pearls and flowers and I set out to make some earrings.  I really like these.  They are going to be for my Going Formal Series that I will do for next years Beading Cruise through the Bahamas.

The bezel is hubble stitch which makes a great flexible bezel.  The first earring ended up being a prototype as the flower chain was too tight and didn't come out as I had envisioned.  I made a second, shown above which I was really happy with and then had to make the third to go with the second.  They are quite fancy pants !

Travels in the Cottswolds

I've been home for three weeks and am preparing to travel again, this time in the airstream on holiday to   my beloved Santa Cruz.  All of my grand babies live there and two of my three children.  It's where we grew up the family and where I spent the majority of my corporate work life.  We'll visit family and friends and we'll be in a campground on a bluff above the ocean.  I'm looking forward to it.

But first I've been remiss on reporting about my last English experience.  We landed first in  Leeds, ware driven around York and stayed in Robin Hoods Bay.  This was followed by a stay in the Barton Under Needwork with visits to Birmingham and Bletchley Park and included teaching a master class.  Next up we were driven to Worcester where I taught in a garden center and enjoyed Jo's hospitality.

Our final stop we drove to the rendezvous point and were picked up by Jinnie.  We wound our way through the country side, arriving in the delightfully charming village of Stow on the Wold where we arrived at a cute little tea shop and bed and breakfast smack in the center within walking distance of restaurants and shops.  We had the rest of the afternoon and all day Friday to wander and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Our room was eclectic and serene and for me I easily walked under the mid room beam.  Mark had to remember to duck which he did about half the time.

Saturday and Sunday I taught sprockets and duomos romanticos.  The village hall was light filled and large and the beaders were very accomplished.  Here is a banner they all worked on together.

 and a couple of sprockets in progress.  I really must get some of that lime green metallic bead!

Speed beader Joan finished this but wasn't totally satisfied and was going to remake it at home.

Both days I was treated to a beautifully prepared and presented lunch by the members.  I will never forget Margaret who set a pretty table complete with lace table cloth and napkins and the loveliest lunch of fresh vegetables, and raspberries which came accompanied by a small pitcher of cream.  It was truly memorable.  

England was my last engagement for 2015.  Now I will focus a bit on beading, family, travel and relaxation!